Category Archives: Help / Serve Others

Blessed, Compassionate, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Help / Serve Others, Interceding for Others, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant

Allow Yourself to Challenge Your Understanding of Scripture

On the surface, today’s scripture documents an amazing set of miracles. But there is much more going on here as well. I am sure I will not unpack it all in this post, but hopefully stimulate some curiosity for for each of us to study more. I have a few questions to ask after you read the scripture.

2 Kings 4:8-37

The Shunammite Woman

      8Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food. 9She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. 10“Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”

      11One day he came there and turned in to the upper chamber and rested. 12Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’” And she answered, “I live among my own people.” 14So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Truly she has no son and her husband is old.” 15He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16Then he said, “At this season next year you will embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.”

      17The woman conceived and bore a son at that season the next year, as Elisha had said to her.

The Shunammite’s Son

      18When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19He said to his father, “My head, my head.” And he said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon, and then died. 21She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him and went out. 22Then she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return.” 23He said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” And she said, “It will be well.” 24Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel.
When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. 26“Please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.” 27When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28Then she said, “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

      29Then he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go your way; if you meet any man, do not salute him, and if anyone salutes you, do not answer him; and lay my staff on the lad’s face.” 30The mother of the lad said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” And he arose and followed her. 31Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, “The lad has not awakened.”

      32When Elisha came into the house, behold the lad was dead and laid on his bed. 33So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the LORD. 34And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm. 35Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes. 36He called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Take up your son.” 37Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.

Is it wrong that Elisha blessed this family in part because they blessed him first? I think sometimes people get the impression that Yahweh is not supposed to have “favorites” and is supposed to treat everyone the same. Where does the Bible say that? In fact, this family saw an opportunity to minister to a man of God and asked nothing in return. Why should they not be greatly blessed in return?

I include one example from Psalm 119 which speaks to who will be blessed (and by difference, who will not).

1How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the LORD.

      2How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.

      3They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.

There are many more, such as Luke 11:28.

 28But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Another question 2 Kings 4 raises for me is in regards to how the power of the prophets works. I have at times thought that they were only a conduit between man and God, but this scripture is one example of many where we see the prophet seemingly act on his own. He decides to bless the woman with a child and heal the child. There is no reference to consulting with God. Yet at the same time, he does not have absolute and full understanding of all things. He says that God has not revealed to Him why the woman was coming to him. Also, the servant with the staff at Elisha’s command to heal the boy did not work. Does that make him a false prophet? I don’t think so. This was not prophecy spoken on behalf of the LORD. This was his attempt to cure someone.

I hope we allow ourselves to ask questions and not have to immediately convince ourselves of the answers. Go to the LORD in prayer. Study the word, including commentaries, for additional insight. Allow yourself to ask questions and challenge things in scripture, even if you can’t immediately explain them a different way.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a spirit of humility and a desire to adapt my understanding of scripture as You open up the scriptures more to me to apply in my life. Help me not be prideful and stubborn, refusing to learn or change what I have been taught if it was wrong. Help me test everything against Your scriptures, and accept that I will not understand everything and some things may make me uncomfortable… but that does not mean they are incorrect. Your holy word is correct and true. My understanding and that taught by men, often is not true. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Father / Yahweh, Help / Serve Others, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Learning To Pray Effectively, Loving / Kind, Obeying God

To Whom Should We Turn in Grief?

2 Comments

We all experience pain and grief. Where do we turn in these times? Who may let us down and who will never let us down? Looking to Yeshua, we see that when he was “grieved to the point of death” He turned in prayer to the Father and He asked for support from His closest friends. His friends wanted to help Him. They tried to support Him, but though “the spirit is willing”, “the flesh is weak”.  The Father, however, is always available and wanting to listen to our prayers.

Mark 14:32-42

Jesus in Gethsemane

      32They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41And He came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42“Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Yeshua knew He was going to be taken into custody, beaten, and crucified. He knew why and when. He knew what it would feel like. He even knew that His friends would fall away and deny Him and He would be alone. No wonder He was grieved to the point of death. He was honest enough in His relationship with the Father to come before Him and ask for the suffering to be removed, but faithful and obedient enough to trust the Father to decide and to obey.

Let us seek to follow Yeshua’s example as we experience difficulty. It is hard to imagine what we could face that could be worse than what He faced on our behalf. Pray for help from the Father. Share openly and honestly with Him your feelings and emotions. Pray for His will to be done and then accept it.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the position of supporting someone who is going through difficulty, as the disciples found themselves in as Yeshua prayed. Truly pray for the Father to help. Sometimes we need His help even to just be the support that our friends and family need. Yes, our flesh is weak. Pray for strength and endurance.

As a final thought, some say it is wrong to pray “if it be Your will…” when bringing our supplications and requests before the Father. They say it is double minded and lacking faith, that instead we should essentially demand our way and expect it when coming before the LORD. We can see from today’s scripture that this logic is flat out wrong. Yeshua prayed for the father’s will over His own. It was not weak in faith or double minded. It was being submitted to the Father.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me be submitted to You fully, even when Your plans are not my plans. Please help me comfort those who are in need and guide them to You. Please help me to turn to You when I am in difficulty and trust You completely. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Generous, Giving, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus (hearing from God), Money / Finances / Wealth, Offering Sacrifices

How We Give Is a Reflection of What We Value

Yahweh does not need our money. It is not because He needs to buy something that He calls us to give. He calls us to give, and give generously, to challenge us to pursue Him wholeheartedly. How we give is a reflection of what we value. We are to seek first the kingdom of God, rather than pursue money as priority.

Mark 12:41-44

The Widow’s Mite

      41And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Yeshua did not measure the gift by the absolute value of the coins. Instead, He valued it by the sacrifice and therefore the reflection of the heart and its priority seeking God over self.

If you have much, ask yourself if you are giving only from surplus or truly honoring God with what you have. You do not need to go give away everything you have… if you do that how can you continue to help others as you find them in need. However, challenge yourself to test your heart and your attitude as you choose to give to help others in a way that honors God.

If you have little, remember that God appreciates and deeply values when you give from your poverty to help others or serve Him. There is no such thing as “too little a gift to make a difference”. God knows all and appreciates the gift and your sacrifice.

One last thought, do not assume you must give your whole donation to the local church. Sometimes we have the opportunity to help others directly or there may be other charitable efforts that you can support to honor the work and name of the LORD.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a generous heart to give to honor and glorify Your name. Help me to put You first, above my own desire for money. Help me to have discernment in how to use the money I have to honor You and show my love for You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Compassion, Encouragement, Grace / Patience, Help / Serve Others, Humility, Kindness / Gentleness

Order and Structure Among the People Is Important

It may seem obvious when talking about military, but order and structure among the people is important. Today we read about the military, but this follows reading about musicians and Levites and priests, all which had order and structure about how their work was to be done, when and by whom. So, too, in our community and across the body of Christ it is important to have order and structure so people have clarity of who is doing what. It is no good to have all soldiers and no musicians and priests, or the other way around. Seek to value what each part of the body of Christ provides. Seek to value what each person in our community provides.

Perhaps one example I could highlight is the garbage collectors. Most people overlook them, but if they were not collecting the garbage, then surely everyone would notice. Their role is important.

1 Chronicles 27

Commanders of the Army

      1Now this is the enumeration of the sons of Israel, the heads of fathers’ households, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all the affairs of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division numbering 24,000:

      2Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel had charge of the first division for the first month; and in his division were 24,000. 3He was from the sons of Perez, and was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month. 4Dodai the Ahohite and his division had charge of the division for the second month, Mikloth being the chief officer; and in his division were 24,000. 5The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, as chief; and in his division were 24,000. 6This Benaiah was the mighty man of the thirty, and had charge of thirty; and over his division was Ammizabad his son. 7The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were 24,000. 8The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were 24,000. 9The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his division were 24,000. 10The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000. 11The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000. 12The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites; and in his division were 24,000. 13The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000. 14The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000. 15The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel; and in his division were 24,000.

Chief Officers of the Tribes

      16Now in charge of the tribes of Israel: chief officer for the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17for Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 18for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; 20for the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven. 24Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count them, but did not finish; and because of this, wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not included in the account of the chronicles of King David.

Various Overseers

      25Now Azmaveth the son of Adiel had charge of the king’s storehouses. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah had charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers. 26Ezri the son of Chelub had charge of the agricultural workers who tilled the soil. 27Shimei the Ramathite had charge of the vineyards; and Zabdi the Shiphmite had charge of the produce of the vineyards stored in the wine cellars. 28Baal-hanan the Gederite had charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah; and Joash had charge of the stores of oil. 29Shitrai the Sharonite had charge of the cattle which were grazing in Sharon; and Shaphat the son of Adlai had charge of the cattle in the valleys. 30Obil the Ishmaelite had charge of the camels; and Jehdeiah the Meronothite had charge of the donkeys. 31Jaziz the Hagrite had charge of the flocks. All these were overseers of the property which belonged to King David.

Counselors

      32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni tutored the king’s sons. 33Ahithophel was counselor to the king; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar succeeded Ahithophel; and Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Take time to reflect on who is playing a role in your community, your church, or even your family that you may overlook sometimes the value of what they do. Pray for them. Encourage them. Ask the LORD to help you see people as He does, to see their value, even those who are under appreciated.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to see through Your eyes. Help me to see and value others. Help me not to overlook people. Help me to see the value each person brings, not just in what job they do,  but also in the talents and personality that they have. Let me not look at myself as above others, but rather to see each of us in eyes of God focused on the individual value each person brings.  Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Help / Serve Others

Clear Accountability

There is value in avoiding dissension among God’s people as we distribute tasks to be completed. Order and structure and an effort to defer to the LORD for some key decisions is helpful. It avoids people thinking you are picking favorites and the strife that may come with that. It avoids people trying to do the same mission as someone else and creating conflict by lack of clarity on who is supposed to do what and when.  Taking time to clearly define how a team is supposed to work is important. This is certainly true for the body of Christ.  After you read the scripture below, consider reviewing also the Benson Commentary at BlueLetterBible.com.

1 Chronicles 24

Divisions of Levites

      1Now the divisions of the descendants of Aaron were these: the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry. 4Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households. 5Thus they were divided by lot, the one as the other; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar. 6Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one father’s household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.

      7Now the first lot came out for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, 8the third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim, 9the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin, 10the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah, 11the ninth for Jeshua, the tenth for Shecaniah, 12the eleventh for Eliashib, the twelfth for Jakim, 13the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth for Jeshebeab, 14the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer, 15the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Happizzez, 16the nineteenth for Pethahiah, the twentieth for Jehezkel, 17the twenty-first for Jachin, the twenty-second for Gamul, 18the twenty-third for Delaiah, the twenty-fourth for Maaziah. 19These were their offices for their ministry when they came in to the house of the LORD according to the ordinance given to them through Aaron their father, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

      20Now for the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the first. 22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24Of the sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, Beno. 27The sons of Merari: by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri. 28By Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29By Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel. 30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ households. 31These also cast lots just as their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers’ households as well as those of his younger brother.

Consider some additional study about this chapter, such as the Benson Commentary at BlueLetterBible.com.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, I thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help lead and guide us in how we can work and live together joyfully and in great teamwork. Help us to serve You as one body, without strife and division. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Help / Serve Others, Submitted / Servant

Support Others in Their Work For Yahweh

At the LORD’s discretion, we may not always be called to do what we want to do in His service. It may have nothing to do with whether or not He is pleased with us. He chooses different people  for different missions. We are to be content or even joyful in fulfilling what He calls us to do. If He calls us into a helping role in some cases, where we wanted to lead, we should take caution not to rebel or resist, but rather support actively. This is the example that David sets when Yahweh selects Solomon to build the temple rather than David. He did not simply step aside and leave it all to Solomon. He worked hard to prepare everything so Solomon would be set up for success when it was time. David’s greatness was not diminished by the fact that he played a helping role to Solomon in the work of the LORD. I think it was rather the opposite. He showed his focus was on bringing glory to God and not just to himself.

1 Chronicles 22

David Prepares for Temple Building

      1Then David said, “This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”

      2So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God. 3David prepared large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed; 4and timbers of cedar logs beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David. 5David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it.” So David made ample preparations before his death.

Solomon Charged with the Task

      6Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. 8“But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me. 9‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10‘He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 11“Now, my son, the LORD be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the LORD your God just as He has spoken concerning you. 12“Only the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. 13“Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed. 14“Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weight, for they are in great quantity; also timber and stone I have prepared, and you may add to them. 15“Moreover, there are many workmen with you, stonecutters and masons of stone and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work. 16“Of the gold, the silver and the bronze and the iron there is no limit. Arise and work, and may the LORD be with you.”

      17David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon, saying, 18“Is not the LORD your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people. 19“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD.”

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to serve you humbly and without too much focus on my self and my wants. Help me to do what You call me to do and do it joyfully and diligently. Let me not dwell or act in jealousy for what others are called to do in Your name. Help me to remember that my service is about You and not about me.  Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Giving, Grace / Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Help / Serve Others, Humility, Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Merciful, Mercy, Patient

Treat Others How You Want Yahweh to Treat You

The book of Mark is like a highlight reel. There is a lot packed in each chapter and not all of it has a lot of background context. Fortunately, if we are willing to invest a bit of time, we can cross reference with the other gospels and help to ensure we understand more completely.

Yeshua warned His disciples that the standard of measure they would use, is what our Father will use to judge them. Keep this in mind when reading Luke 6. If we first read Luke 6 strictly from the perspective of how we should treat others, we may tend to think that it is a very high bar and maybe find it a it tough to wrap our minds around. I get a slightly different perspective when I read it from the perspective of this is how I would like others to treat me, including my heavenly Father!

We are to engage others using a very challenging and selfless standard and in turn trust that the LORD will have mercy and grace on us accordingly.

Mark 4:24

 24And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

Luke 6:27-38

    27“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29“Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30“Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33“If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

      37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

The closing line says it all… we are to treat others by the same standard we wish for God to use in His relationship with us and also how we would like others to treat us. Take time to dwell on that and truly allow yourself the humility to accept where you are not living up to the right standard. I have quite a bit of room to grow in this area. There is more grace and mercy I can pour out to others in my relationship with them… more love… more giving. I pray the Holy Spirit helps me and I know He will, because He always does. Praise God He is so compassionate and loving and filled with mercy and grace in His relationship with me. Let me be so to others.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead me in how I treat others. Help me to be selfless and filled with mercy, compassion, and grace. Thank You for the mercy, compassion, and grace You have for me and others. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Encouragement, Help / Serve Others

Be Truly Grateful for the Helpers the LORD Provides

We often think of how great King David was, but he was surrounded by other great, or mighty, men. It is seldom that a single person will achieve greatness all on their own. Even when Yahweh is moving, He often uses more than just a single individual.  As you read about David’s mighty men, do not think only from the perspective of you being like David, but also the perspective of you perhaps being one of the mighty men for someone else Yahweh has put in your life.

David’s Mighty Men

      10Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 11These constitute the list of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he killed at one time.

      12After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13He was with David at Pasdammim when the Philistines were gathered together there to battle, and there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled before the Philistines. 14They took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victory.

      15Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. 16David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 17David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 18So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD; 19and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

      20As for Abshai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the thirty, and he swung his spear against three hundred and killed them; and he had a name as well as the thirty. 21Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored and became their commander; however, he did not attain to the first three.

      22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day. 23He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men. 25Behold, he was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three; and David appointed him over his guard.

      26Now the mighty men of the armies were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47Eliel and Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

The records of David’s mighty men are incredible. They are fun to read and reflect on. I think it is also good to look around in our own lives and think about who the “mighty men” are in our lives. Who are those people that are there to help us succeed, even when times are tough. Another perspective on it may be, for whom in our lives are we acting as one of the mighty men, to help and support them in whatever Yahweh has for them.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to appreciate and seek out those around me that You have provided to help me. Please also lead me to help others as You have intended. Help Your people stand together to accomplish what You call us to do. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Help / Serve Others

Good (and Godly) Friends Can Make a Big Difference

Reflecting on the miraculous healing of the paralytic in Mark 2 and also on the sour response from the scribes are often some obvious and key focus areas when reading this scripture. However, I want you to focus today on the friends of the paralytic as you read. They not only brought their friend to Yeshua, but also were quite determined to get to Him. They were not easily discouraged.  Their actions changed the life of their paralytic friend.

Mark 2:1-13

The Paralytic Healed

      1When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. 2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. 4Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. 5And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? 9“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? 10“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11“I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” 12And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

      13And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.

I would encourage each of us, myself included, to seek out good and godly friends and invest time to build relationship with them. I would also encourage each of us to seek to invest time to be that friend and encourager for others in the body of Christ.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to be the friend to others like these men were to the paralytic Yeshua healed. Help me also invest in building relationships with others so that they can help build me up and encourage me when I need it. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Am I on the path?, Compassionate, Demons, Healer, Help / Serve Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Loving / Kind

Yeshua Made Time With the Father a Priority

Yeshua set an example for us in so many different ways. We do well to search them out in scripture and ask the Spirit to enlighten us and guide us in understanding and applying it in our lives.

How often might we say we want to have time to pray or study the word, but then we get busy and don’t follow through, or not as much as we know we should? There is an excellent example in Mark 1, where Yeshua was having a busy evening. Many ill and demon possessed people were brought to Him as sun set, ending Shabbat. It is written that the whole city had gathered at the door.

Mark 1:32-39

  32When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

      35In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” 39And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

We do not need much imagination to realize it was a busy evening for Yeshua. In fact, even in the morning people were still looking for Him. In the midst of this busy time, and busy with very meaningful time spent healing people and casting out demons, Yeshua woke up early, while it was still dark, to go to a secluded place and pray.

He did not take the day off to rest, but rather got up to go and preach throughout Galilee. It is also interesting that He did not stay to help everyone who came to Him from the one location before leaving. He knew that He had come to preach across many towns, not just one or a few. He did not stay and heal every person. They were still looking for Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for sending Yeshua as an example for us as well as a Savior. Thank You for the written word and Your Spirit to lead and guide us. Help me to see others through Your eyes, with compassion and patience. Help me to put Your work and Your purpose ahead of my own comfort and rest. Encourage me to make time to pray and spend time with You rather than to make excuses why I can not. There is nothing I am doing that is more important that what Yeshua did when He was here in the flesh for a short, three year ministry. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.