Rest and Refocus For God's Next Great Work - Mark 6:31 - April 19, 2020

S. Mark 6:31

“then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quite place and get some rest.”

O. Jesus offered His busy disciples a chance to pause from their busyness, spend some time with him away from the noise and rest.

Jesus is about to perform a great miracle and it will take rest and refocus of His disciples to help Him in serving others.

At times to see the work of God and to be effective in serving others, God’s people need time away from the noise, to be silent, be with Jesus and to seek His face.

A. I’m a go-getter. Yet there are times I too need to slow down, distance myself from the noise, seek the face of God so He can use me for what He is about to do.

P. Thank you Father - thanks for a season of rest. Holy Spirit help to not get caught up in the noise so I can clearly see what God is about to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Sharing the Goodness of God - Psalm 34 - April 18, 2020

S. Psalm 34:8

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

O. This is an acrostic Psalm - each letter begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This Psalm is rich or full of David’s love and dependence upon the Lord.

The word “taste” means to perceive, perceiving or coming to realize by examination of tasting. Just like I realize how good a certain food is by tasting.

The word “see” means to perceive;a as to know by learning. The word “good” means pleasant or agreeable.

David has experienced God and found Him to be so right, so good, so dependable. You simply experience Him yourself and when you do, you will not lack (safety, fullness, hunger, deliverance and peace).

A. I will continue to “taste” God; that is I will continue to put my life in His hands and let Him lead me, let Him provide for me; when I’ve done this in the past, I truly realize How good He really is. I will continue to see Him through all of my senses and then share Him with others, through teaching, preaching, S.O.A.P. and through active conversation.

P. Thank you father for being so good , so pleasant and so right. I desire your continued presence and leading in all that I do. Holy Spirit enlighten me the opportunities to share with others how good You God, really are. In Jesus name!

Victory Over the Tempter - Matthew 4:1-10 - April 17, 2020

S. Matthew 4:1-10

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

O. The Devil tempted Jesus three times. In a desert. At the highest point of the temple. On a high mountain. Jesus’ reply to each of the temptations was to quote the word of God. Jesus spoke the truth against the lies of the enemy.

We may be tempted too - sometimes in the desert wandering and when we feel a spiritual dryness in our life. Sometimes when we are having spiritual “highs” (temple) or sometimes when we feel on top of the world and have things rolling (mountain top). We are not exempt. Be ready to have the Word of God in our minds and hearts.

A. I will continue to daily read, journal and memorize God’s word, so that it is in my heart and mind. When the tempter comes, I will quote God’s word with authority.

P. Father, thank you for your word today. Forgive me when I fail. Grant me strength and wisdom to declare your word with authority in times of temptation. In Jesus’ name.