Reflection

This verse is a “summary verse” which captures the ministry of Jesus which has been described in all of Mark 7 and everything prior. Jesus is amazing, mostly because of the way he is able to direct the supernatural on command. Nobody else is doing this. What can be easily missed in the details of the story is that Jesus has been going outside of his own people group, those who expected to receive the kind of supernatural help which Jesus was bringing. God does miracles for many reasons; compassion, to deliver and to help for example. He also does miracles to give us a sign. A sign that there is another kingdom and another king. And not just another king but The King, the king of kings is here. Now is the time to turn from whatever it is we are into, whatever or whoever we are placing our security and to seek this kingdom with all that we have and to not stop seeking until our last breath. It’s what the sign says we should do.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

It may seem hard to imagine that there would be Christians who are so “heavenly minded that they are no earthly good”, those who want to sit around and talk about heaven while there are people in our community going to bed hungry and suffering from lack when we have plenty. Today’s generation of Christians seem to be more aware of the physical needs around us and less concerned with what we believe or even why we believe it. Perhaps if James were here today he might be cautioning us to not be so busy going about doing good things and miss the intimate relationship with Jesus with whom and by whom all things count.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

“From cradle to grave”, this was a way we used to describe the ministry of a local church. The Body of Christ is something we can be a part of for our entire lives. I have had the privilege of having known and knowing people today who have loved Jesus and followed him from childhood until they took their last breath on earth at an old age. It’s hard to find the words to describe the depth and richness of just such a life. This is what a life-time of praise will do for you, it changes the quality of your life for the good. The beautiful thing about God’s grace is that any of us can begin a “lifetime of praise” at any time. You could start today! “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

This prophetic word has become a song which has brought comfort to many people including me! However, a closer look tells us that this word is a word of instruction that we should be mindful of the people in our lives, especially those who are fearful, weary including the ones who have “shaky knees”. Say to them, “Be strong. Do not fear. He will come to save you” What a joy and privilege it is that our God would choose us to bring this good news. Like ambassadors from another kingdom we come to bring hope to our fellow citizens living in a foreign land, “The Prince of Peace, Mighty God and Everlasting Father is coming for you!”

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

Singer/ songwriter Bill Gaither tells the story of when he and his wife Gloria started looking for property to purchase and build their first home. They searched the area, an area where they had been raised all of their lives as well as their parents and grandparents. They found the perfect property but when they started asking about the land, friends all said, the farmland belongs to Mr. Doe and he will never sell, “He always says, ‘No’. Bill was undaunted and made an appointment with Farmer Doe. At first Farmer Doe said, “No” but then he asked Bill again, “What did you say your family name was?” Bill answered, “Gaither” Mr. Doe asked, “Is your grandfather William Gaither?” ‘Yes’, Bill replied. Mr. Doe said, “When I was a young man just starting out I had no money and no experience and was ready to give up until your grandfather stepped in and helped me. Because of what he did for me, it would mean a lot to me to help his grandson. I will sell to you the land you are asking for” The value of a good name can bring benefits for generations; a good name is something we can begin developing today.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

Jesus is speaking to his disciples and reminding them that no one can decide to come to Him except through the work of the Father in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives within them. We are blind on our own until we receive illumination and conviction from the Spirit of God. He is the ultimate light that guides us out of the darkness. In other words, His light illuminates our sinful nature and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we are convicted and this enables us to draw closer to Jesus and to seek His forgiveness. In our human strength, we cannot come to this conclusion. The Father is the ultimate source of salvation.

In the same way, the Father will put a conviction in our heart, through the Holy Spirit, to pray for a person or a situation. We should not ignore these unexpected promptings, as this is also the Father at work, using us for His Glory. At times, we are merely prompted to pray, other times we are to reach out and contact the individual.
May we be intentional about the promptings of the Father today.

Thoughts for the day