The Lord is our Provision

During Jesus' earthly ministry, He sent His disciples out to preach, teach, heal, cast out demons, and further the kingdom of God. In Mark 6:7-11 we read about one occasion of Jesus sending out His disciples. We are told that He sent them out in pairs. That reinforces the reality that we need each other for encouragement and support. We also told that He gave them authority over unclean spirits. They were to deliver people from demon possession.

What is surprising about His instructions is that His disciples were told to take nothing with them. In fact, "He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their money belts" (verse 8). Why? Why were they instructed to take nothing with them? Some Bible students suggest that the disciples were to receive these things from the people that they were ministering to. It seems more likely that Jesus was teaching His disciples to be dependent upon Him for their provision. He would meet their needs, no matter where they were.

That truth is still in force today. Jesus will / does meet the needs of His people. He meets our needs so that He receives the glory. Certainly you and I have responsibilities before the Lord. Let us continually look to Him to be our provision.

Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Eagle Landing
(2) State = Virginia
(3) Nation = Morocco
(4) South Asian Peoples

His Healing Power

Mark 5:21-43 describes the way Jesus healed two different people. The first one to be healed was a lady. According to the Scripture, she was afflicted with a bleeding problem. A problem that had caused her many physical hardships and financial hardship for 12 years. But she heard about Jesus. She knew that all she needed to do was to touch His garment to receive healing. So that is exactly what she does. She comes up behind Jesus and touches His garment and the Scripture states that "Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was cured of her affliction" (verse 29).

The second one to be healed was a 12 year old girl that was very sick when the father first approaches Jesus. However, as they were in route to see the girl, the first woman was healed by Jesus. Once they arrived at the house, they were greeted with the news that the girl was dead. Jesus told them that she was only sleeping and entered the room were the girl was laying. When He entered the room, He took the girl by the hand and spoke to her. That is when the Scripture states that "Immediately the girl go up and began to walk" (verse 42).

As we reflect on these examples of healing, let us be reminded that Jesus is the Great Physician. Not only was He in that day and time, but He is still the Great Physician today. Oh that we would approach Jesus to heal our children. Oh that we would approach Jesus to heal us. Oh that we would approach Jesus to heal those around us.

Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Johnson Creek / Campers
(2) State = California
(3) Nation = Georgia
(4) East Asian Peoples

Marching Orders

Jesus delivered a man that was possessed by a "legion" of demons in Mark 5:1-20. We are told that the man bowed before Jesus pleading with Him to have mercy on him. In deed, Jesus showed mercy to this man by delivering him from the demons that were controlling his life. We are told that while possessed by the demons this man was a crazy man that lived among the tombs and in the mountains. But after Jesus delivered him, this same man was found "sitting there, dressed and in his right mind" (verse 15).

Jesus delivered this man and then gave him marching orders for his life. This man was told: "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you" (verse 19). Jesus instructed this man to share his testimony with others. He was to share what Jesus had done in his life. This man was to share his new life with everyone. Jesus would receive the glory as this man reported how much He had done for him.

Jesus has given us the same "marching orders". You and I as believers and followers of Jesus Christ are to be sharing the great things He has done in our lives with others. Certainly we start with how Jesus saved us from our sins, how He has given us new life; but we must also declare the wonderful things that Jesus does in our lives on a daily basis. We need to be sharing the truths from God's Word that we are learning. God forth with your marching orders this week to make Him known to the nations, starting right outside your door.

Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Crestwood
(2) State = Washington
(3) Nation = Niger
(4) Sub-Saharan African Peoples

"Who Then is This?"

Jesus had spent much time teaching the multitudes concerning the kingdom of God; when it was time to cross the lake, He and the disciples boarded a boat. Mark 4:35-41 records a wonderful insight into the life and ministry of Jesus. As He and His disciples were crossing the lake in their boat, the Scripture states that Jesus was asleep in the stern. The disciples were not sleeping. In fact, they were panicking. A storm with fierce winds was causing the little boat many problems. The waves were swamping the boat. That is when the disciples approached Jesus with these words: "Teacher! Don't you care that we're going to die?" (verse 38).

Surely Jesus cared. Right? Surely He was aware that the boat was being battered around by the wind and the waves. Right? Surely He is aware when our lives are being battered around during everyday life. Right? Surely Jesus cares. Right?

Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!

Yes, Jesus cares. Yes, Jesus knows. Jesus came to the rescue. He ceased the winds and calmed the waves. Jesus delivered the disciples. Just as He comes to our rescue. Just as He takes care of every detail of our lives. As He delivered them, their response was: "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!" (verse 41). As we see God at work in our lives, let us acknowledge that this is Jesus - My God, My Savior, My Deliverer.

Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Victory
(2) State = Arkansas
(3) Nation = Finland
(4) North African & Middle Eastern Peoples

Division Doesn't Benefit Anyone

Unity was a major theme within the early Church as recorded in the Book of Acts. It is necessary or otherwise division will destroy the Church. It is obvious from numerous Bible passages that division doesn't benefit anyone.

Jesus spoke about this in Mark 3:13-35. As one of the Pharisees came from Jerusalem, he accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzbul, the ruler of demons; which empowered Him to cast demons out of people. Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and the crowd around Him with a simple reminder"

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (verses 24&25).

The emphasis of course is that division doesn't benefit anyone. Satan would not benefit from attacking himself. Why would the enemy do something that would lead to destruction? Of course that same question is out there for Churches & Christians today. Why do we allow division between ourselves and other believers to continue? Why do we do nothing when people attack the unity of the Church? We as believers and we as Churches must strive, at all cost, to protect and promote unity. After all, division doesn't benefit anyone.

Praying Today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Ally Creek
(2) State = Arizona
(3) Nation = El Salvador
(4) Southeast Asian Peoples around the World

Drawn to Jesus

Everywhere you read in the New Testament people were drawn to Jesus. They were drawn to His teachings, to His miracles, to His compassion, to His acceptance . . . they were drawn to Him. In Mark 3:7-12 we read about multitudes being drawn to Jesus. "The great multitude came to Him because they heard about everything He was doing" (Mark 3:8). 

Think about that for just a second. People were drawn to Jesus because they "HEARD". They apparently heard about His teachings, miracles, compassion, etc. Are people hearing about Him today? Are you sharing with others the teachings of Jesus? Are you sharing with others how Jesus is at work changing your life for the better? Are you demonstrating the compassion of Jesus to others so that they be drawn to Him?

Someone said it this way years ago and it stuck with me: "You are either leading people to Jesus or you are leading them away from Him." Oh, that we be found as followers of Christ that continually lead people to Him. What will you do today to help "DRAW" people to Jesus?

Praying Today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Pine Harbor
(2) State = Wisconsin
(3) Nation = Romania
(4) European Peoples throughout the World

How Far will You Go?

There is a wonderful picture of friendship expressed in Mark 2:1-22. The first example of friendship involves 4 men who take their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Apparently these men knew that Jesus was the only One who could help their friend because they would not let any barriers keep him from Jesus. The first barrier they encountered was the physical act of carrying the man to the house where Jesus was teaching. Another barrier they encountered was the fact that the house was full of people - standing room only as Jesus continued to teach. These determined men hoisted their friend up onto the roof where they cut a hole in the roof large enough for the man to be lowered through. Can you imagine being among those listening to Jesus teach? What would you think as a man on a pallet was being lowered down from the roof? How far would you go to bring a friend to Jesus?

Another example of friendship is found in Jesus Himself. Jesus encountered Levi and called out to him, "Follow Me!" (verse 14). The next words are tremendous regarding Levi's reaction. We read "So he got up and followed Him" (verse 14). Jesus befriended a man that the religious leaders of that day despised. This is evident in the religious leader's reaction to Jesus eating in Levi's home gathered with additional tax collectors. They questioned Jesus' display of friendship with the question, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (verse 16). Jesus' response is priceless: "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn't come to call the righteous,but sinners" (verse 17).

Oh, that we would befriend people knowing that they are not perfect but in need of the Great Physician, Jesus. How far will you go to bring people to Him? Are you willing to befriend them? Are you willing to cross whatever barriers exist? How far will you go?

Praying for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines = Mims / Avinger Cutt-off
(2) State = Alaska
(3) Nation = Dominica
(4) American Peoples throughout the World