36 Days to Meet Jesus: Day 9

Mark 4:21-41

Am I like the disciples in their lack of faith? Why or why not?

So, Jesus and the disciples are crossing the lake on a boat. These professional fishermen are guiding the boat while Jesus is taking a nap. All of a sudden a big storm shows up. These professional fishermen fear for their lives.

I say they are professional fishermen to remind us that these guys know boats and lakes and storms. And up to this point, they have never died in a storm (that's a joke... hahaha).

And they are freaking out and wake up Jesus. Jesus calms the wind and the waves. The disciples are possibly even more freaked out now.

I read these Bible stories, in which the disciples show no faith in Jesus' power. They try to do everything their own way and fail miserably.

And I think they are complete idiots. Why don't they just trust Jesus the first time? Why do they doubt Him? They are so dumb.

I would never make the same mistakes as they do......... NOT!

It's so easy when I read the Bible to take the "holier-than-thou" approach and think that I would not make the exact same mistakes as the people in the stories. But, if I look at my life, I see myself failing time and time again to trust God.

I try my own way until it fails... and then I trust God. I doubt God will work in situations and then He surprises me. Why don't I just trust God?

I guarantee you that if you looked at my life. You would think I don't really trust God. You would see me fail over and over and over and over and...

My faith needs to grow. God give me more faith...

36 Days to Meet Jesus: Day 8

Mark 4:1-20

What kind of soil is my heart? Why?

The parable of the sower is a very famous teaching by Jesus. I think it is also one of the most "misunderstood" ones. Let me explain what I mean.

I think everybody who reads this parable quickly decides that they are the "good soil." It's not uncommon to do this. Nobody wants to be the other ground.

And we can usually think of people that fit into the other categories very, very easily. We all know people who won't even listen to the Word or people who listened and cared but walked away or people who don't make following God's Word most important. But that certainly is not us. Right?

As I read this parable, I ask myself the question. What kind of soil am I? And I know my natural response is the good soil. So... where is the crop I am producing? Where is the crop I am reproducing?

As a pastor, it is easier to see how my ministry is affecting others and every once in a while to see their spiritual growth. But, I think outside of church... where is my ministry? Outside of the building... outside of the youth group... outside of the children's ministry, am I making an impact on the world? Are the "disciples" I am leading making an impact in their worlds?

I don't know. I hope so. I see only bits and pieces and hear stories every once in a while. I pray that my ministry is not in vain. And I pray that my ministry is not about Brent. I pray that God is using me to speak into these children's and teens' lives.

36 Days to Meet Jesus: Day 7

Mark 3:20-34

What does Jesus mean when He says "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother?"

"Jesus is crazy." "He is out of His mind." At least this is what His family claimed about Him in Mark 3.

Later on in the story, this same family who insulted Him and called Him crazy wants to push their way through the crowd like some VIPs. Jesus basically rejects them.

Then, Jesus makes this statement. He says my family is those who do God's will. This is a very interesting statement.

Think about it. Jesus pretty much rejects His family (who doesn't believe) for His followers (who do believe).

I don't know how many of us would be willing to reject our families to follow God. We hear stories of Christians in India and China who are rejected by their families after coming to Christ. But, I don't know how many American Christians would make that sacrifice.

Jesus here seems to be saying that following God is more important than anything. Even your own flesh and blood relatives.

Any thoughts?

36 Days to Meet Jesus: Day 6

I figured since I will probably get "snowed in" this weekend, I will use the time to catch up on my blog.

Mark 3:1-19

What do I think it would have been like to be a disciple?

The disciples had a weird position. They were almost like Jesus interns/roadies. They would work very hard at the behind the scenes jobs.

They almost always did the thankless jobs... such as handing out food to 5000+ hungry people, handing out food to 4000+ hungry people, rowing the boat while Jesus slept... stuff like that. I don't know if you have ever fed 5000 people, but I haven't. It doesn't really seem like a very exciting ministry.

I don't really know if I would like being a disciple. As much as I like being behind the scenes and leading by example through working as hard as possible, I love attention. I love to be praised for my work.

The disciples rarely (if ever) are praised or even thanked for their ministry. I would really struggle with that.

Then, again if you spend 10 minutes in the book of Acts, you realize that the disciples "got it." All their hard work in Jesus' shadow pays off in the end. Maybe being Jesus interns/roadies wouldn't be so bad after all.