Scripture Nugget 10.15.2016

“And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.” Mark 6:3b-6a

Yesterday we read that Jesus, after healing the Gerasene Demoniac, commanded him to, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” He did so, and “everyone was amazed.” Interesting isn’t it, today we read Jesus is in is hometown and he gets no respect. Jesus does nothing without guidance from the Father. We can almost hear God the Father saying to Jesus, “Go to Nazareth, the place you were raised, tell them what you can do for them, show them what you can do for them, show them the mercy of God.” And yet they do not believe. How many of us, read the stories of healing, restoration, redemption, resurrection and the miracles of healing and feeding and yet we do not fully believe, we don’t grasp how deep, wide, long and high is the power of God, the love of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God. Are we amazed at God or is He amazed at our unbelief? In the next section of scripture (Mark 6:6b-13) Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs, with authority over unclean spirits they proclaimed all should repent, they cast out demons, and anointed the sick with oil, curing them. Jesus sends us out to make disciples of all nations, do we go, amazed at God or is he amazed at our unbelief?

Scripture Nugget 10.14.2016

“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” Mark 5:19b

This is Jesus’ response to a man who is now in his right mind after many years of demonic possession. Jesus has just refused this man’s request to come with Jesus and his disciples. It seems cruel. But upon further reflection this is what Jesus tells us when He says, “Go and make disciples.” How many of us go home and tell family and friends about what God has done for us in our lives? Family and friends, the ones easiest for us to talk to are certainly an easier audience than strangers, don’t you think? But maybe not. Family and friends know us, the good and the bad, so when we share God’s transforming story in our lives they’ll see if it is real. How many of your family and friends need to hear the Good News of the Gospel? “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” He chooses to make them clean too!

Scripture Nugget 10.14.2016

“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” Mark 5:19b

This is Jesus’ response to a man who is now in his right mind after many years of demonic possession. Jesus has just refused this man’s request to come with Jesus and his disciples. It seems cruel. But upon further reflection this is what Jesus tells us when He says, “Go and make disciples.” How many of us go home and tell family and friends about what God has done for us in our lives? Family and friends, the ones easiest for us to talk to are certainly an easier audience than strangers, don’t you think? But maybe not. Family and friends know us, the good and the bad, so when we share God’s transforming story in our lives they’ll see if it is real. How many of your family and friends need to hear the Good News of the Gospel? “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” He chooses to make them clean too!

Scripture Nugget 10.13.2016

“A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ … ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’” Mark 1:40-42, 2:16b-17

How are you feeling? Is something not right with your soul, your spirit, your health, your emotions, your psyche? Invite Jesus to heal the problem. But know this, he will do so. So be serious about your desire for healing, for change/transformation because that is what Jesus came/comes to do. He calls to those who are not Christ-like to become like Christ. He reaches out, touches our lives and commands, “Be made clean”. Grace abounds, choose to be made clean! It’s God’s desire to clean you up, inside and out!

Scripture Nugget 10.13.2016

“A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ … ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’” Mark 1:40-42, 2:16b-17

How are you feeling? Is something not right with your soul, your spirit, your health, your emotions, your psyche? Invite Jesus to heal the problem. But know this, he will do so. So be serious about your desire for healing, for change/transformation because that is what Jesus came/comes to do. He calls to those who are not Christ-like to become like Christ. He reaches out, touches our lives and commands, “Be made clean”. Grace abounds, choose to be made clean! It’s God’s desire to clean you up, inside and out!

Scripture Nugget 10.12.2016

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

I am is with me/you/us always! Each and every moment, God is with us! A promise made, a promised continually fulfilled. “’Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:20b-23) So as God makes his presence known to us and says, ‘I am here with you’ then asks, ‘will you be with me?’ How do we respond? He is with us to the end of the age, until he returns, then he is with us in eternity – will I/you/we be with him? “Do this in remembrance of me,” he says, as he breaks the loaf at his Holy Table. How do we respond? What is your response?

Scripture Nugget 10.11.2016

“Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days,”’ The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and stuck him; and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?’” Matthew 26:59-68

Pay attention! When I/you/we go looking for false testimony we’ll do all we can to find it. Reminds me of a couple of church members I knew several years ago. One would say to the other, “they are saying such and such.” Then a few days later the other would say to the first, “I heard that they are saying such and such.” Then the two of them would tell the pastor, “this is what the people are saying.” The truth of God is everlasting! The promised Messiah, is the Messiah yesterday, today and tomorrow. The very leaders who knew all the prophecies concerning Messiah, the ones who had the responsibility of being on the lookout for Messiah so that they could introduce the people to Messiah are blind to His presence. Their self-interests blinded them to their purpose. Their verdict to false testimony – put him to death. Kill the eternal Messiah, they spit on him and slapped him around. The priests, denied Christ when they should have worshiped! We need to ask ourselves, what is it that we believe and attempt to validate that is false and causes us to seek out false testimony, to give false testimony, to believe false testimony? How do we spit on and slap Jesus around? Oh Lord identify this for each of us so that we may confess and repent, that we may turn back to our Savior Jesus. That we may worship not crucify again the risen Lord!

Scripture Nugget 10.10.2016

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.”

Many false prophets lead many astray. Believers in The Way, The Truth according to Creator God are under attack from many directions. Sometimes the attacks are subtle, sometimes very small and quiet – sneaking up on us. The world is at odds with the truth, so much so that the world would like to re-define truth, make truth what they want for themselves. The problem with that logic is there can be only One Truth, only One definer of holiness and one deliverer of righteousness. We, who believe in the Triune God must resist the attacks, endure to the end. As history has shown us some will be persecuted, some jailed, some executed for possessing and maintaining faith in God. There are beheadings occurring today that have taken the earthly life of some of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Will I, will you, will we stand fast, will we reaming steadfast in our faith? Will we proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God in our homes, neighborhoods, communities and to the ends of the earth? If that’s what it takes for the end to come, why aren’t we in a hurry?

Scripture Nugget 10.9.2016

“Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. … ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” Matthew 21:43, 22:36-40

As Jesus approached Jerusalem he sent two disciples into the city to retrieve a donkey and a colt (Matthew’s version). His instruction was to “untie them, bring them to me” Why? Because, “The Lord needs them.” The fruit of the kingdom of God is an environment of love – Holy love, that causes those who are bound by burdens to be untied, freed up and brought into the presence of God. No doubt the Lord desires His creation to be unbound from sin, to be freed to produce kingdom fruit. Are you still bound up? Cry out to God, Hosanna (Save us now). Are you freed up? Cry out Hosanna (Save us now) and go make a disciple, help untie someone else. Together continue the process, bear fruit of the kingdom, bear fruit for the kingdom.

Scripture Nugget 10.8.2016

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?’” Matthew 16:24-26

Everyone wants to save their life, wants their life saved so much that they will grab a rope regardless of who throws it. (Wish I had thought this up on my own, but heard a great preacher yesterday who spoke this) We’ll grab that rope and be brought safely into the boat or onto shore, the question is who then will we follow? You see if we profess we have been saved by Jesus Christ, that our lives have been changed by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that we have experienced salvation, the new birth into a new life; but then, we follow culture …. Then I submit to you that we haven’t been changed. We haven’t given up our life for life with God, we haven’t picked up and carried the cross of Christ but something else. What will we give up for life, life abundant, holy life? Who do you follow? Christ or culture? In the first line of Called to Be Holy, John Oswalt writes, “The fate of the Christian Church in America and around the world depends upon what the Church does with the biblical doctrine of holiness.” God tells us, we “to be holy as He is holy.” Holiness as defined by God, not ourselves or culture. Who do you follow? Christ or Culture?