What am I EXPECTING?

Scripture:

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.

Observation:

After Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea asked for his body and then sealed it in a new tomb. Although an honored member of the high council, Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. Not all the Jewish leaders hated Jesus. Joseph risked his reputation to give a proper burial to his Lord. It is frightening to risk one's reputation even for what is right. If your Christian witness endangers your reputation, remember Joseph. Today he is remembered with admiration in the Christian church. How many other members of the Jewish high council can you name?

Imagine the faith that is required to believe that a dead body is the key to eternal life. Hope, not despair, makes Joseph bold to petition Pilate, arrange a burial of honor, and provide a newly hewn tomb fit for a King. By action rather than words, Joseph of Arimathea joins the Roman centurion in the confession that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Through Him, God keeps alive the expectation of life, even in the presence of death. For Roman Christians, Joseph is proof that death does not still their witness, but speeds it to the highest councils of the land. For every one who dies, many who are moving toward the kingdom of God will come forward to carry the witness.

Application:

As I read the phrase that Joseph was one who "lived expectantly" immediately I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me and gently asking me about my expectations. What am I expecting out of this day? You see, this is the day that the Lord has MADE; He has created this day and He created me, and allowed me to be a part of today. So...He must have something exciting for me to do. I am full of expectation about the possibility of TODAY.

What am I expecting out of my Bible reading this morning? Just to get through my obligation, or for God to pour something life changing into my Spirit man?

What am I expecting out of my marriage today? My children? My co-workers? My finances?

What am I expecting at church this Sunday? Too often we get ready, go to church, expect things to go well, hear some good singing, be challenged by the Word of God, then go home and take a nap. What if I decide right now, to expect an outpouring of God's Spirit in my life and the lives around me?

Joseph lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Too often, I live expectantly of something bad, or negative happening. I want today to live expectantly on the "lookout for the kingdom" of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I think about today like that, I truly get excited. You see Spirit-led expectation leads to Spirit-induced excitement!

My choice is to live like Hebrews 12:2 says, "Looking unto Jesus..." with expectation. When I do that, it then isn't an "accident" or chance encounter with that person I run into at the grocery store that I haven't seen in a long time. It is a "divine appointment" and the Spirit of God has something exciting for me to do for His Kingdom. Wow, I LOVE living like that!

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to live expectantly today, an excited expectation! I am so sorry for the times I have lived with a negative expectation, expecting things to turn out bad. That isn't Spirit-led, and I CHOOSE to be Spirit-led today. I am excitedly expectant for what you have for me today, Holy Spirit! In Jesus name, amen!"

“Sit here while I PRAY”

Scripture:

Mark 14:32-33 They came to an area called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." (33) He took Peter, James, and John with him. He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.

Observation:

In preparation for the inevitable Cross, Jesus retreats to His usual place of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The name Gethsemane is a forewarning in itself. Synonymous with "tribulation," it means "press," connoting the stomping of the grape to squeeze out the blood of the vine.

Jesus expects Gethsemane to be a time of final communion with His Father in preparation for the Cross. Even though He has predicted that all the disciples will deny Him, He takes His inner circle of Peter, James, and John with Him to the place of prayer, hoping that their denial will be delayed until the very last moment. In other words, Jesus counts upon communion with God and fellowship with friends to sustain Him until the moment of betrayal. He does not expect His friends to continue with Him beyond that point, but His Father is different. Surely He will stay beside Him through an ordeal which no man had ever suffered before, and no one will ever suffer again.

Our experiences do not permit us to probe the depths of Jesus' emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane. His foreknowledge of suffering and His sensitivity of spirit take His anguish deeper than we have ever known. Even then, Jesus is not prepared for the shock of reality which overcomes Him in the Garden. Mark says, "He began to be troubled and deeply distressed" (Mark 14:33).

The English translation is not strong enough to carry the full impact of His feelings. A more literal translation is, "He began to be terrified and disoriented." Sheer terror strikes at His soul as He faces for the first time the reality of unbridled evil.

Robinson Crusoe found himself on a desert island. When darkness fell, he retreated to the beach, built a fire, and huddled close to it. The range of security extended only to the outer edge of his campfire's light. Beyond that, as he peered into the darkness toward the jungle, icy fingers of terror caused his soul to shudder, knowing that if he stepped beyond the flickering light of his campfire, his terror would be compounded by the distress of being out of his realm and not knowing how to cope with the situation.

In effect, Jesus stepped beyond the circle of light cast by God's presence into pitch blackness in the jungle of evil. Before this moment, He had theoretically accepted the responsibility for bearing the sins of the whole world. Now, terror tells Him what it really means. Also, before this moment, Jesus has enjoyed unbroken fellowship with His Father. Now, He realizes that He must die alone, His friends will deny Him, and His Father will have to leave Him. The combined weight of sin and loneliness is almost more than He can stand, so to His disciples He confesses, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Mark 14:34).

Terror, disorientation, and depression are now so severe that death is the preferable alternative. So...He prays, continually.

The Son of God experienced terror, and distress so that we could walk THROUGH the dark, tough, fearful times knowing we could overcome just as He did:

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.

Application:

Was Jesus trying to get out of his task? Jesus expressed his true feelings, but he did not deny or rebel against God's will. He reaffirmed his desire to do what God wanted. Jesus' prayer highlights the terrible suffering he had to endure-an agony so much more magnified because he had to take on the sins of the whole world. This "cup" was the agony of alienation from God, his Father, at the cross (Hebrews 5:7-9). The sinless Son of God took on our sins and was separated for a while from God so that we could be eternally saved.

While praying, Jesus was aware of what doing the Father's will would cost him. He understood the suffering he was about to encounter, and he did not want to have to endure the horrible experience. But Jesus prayed, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Anything worth having costs something. What does your commitment to God cost you? We must be willing to pay any price to gain what is priceless-eternal life.

I am so convicted today when I consider my prayer life, compared to Jesus'. Jesus, the Son of God, my example prayed in agony as He faced a circumstance beyond what I can even fathom. Yet, He made it through it because of His dependence upon His Father through prayer. If Jesus needed to pray, how much more do I. I heed Jesus' call to me today, "Watch and pray!"

Prayer:

"Lord, forgive me for the times that I think I am too busy to pray, or I have too much MINISTRY to accomplish to pray. When faced with an situation that was full of terror and agony, Jesus PRAYED. He didn't wash His disciples feet, He didn't raise the dead, heal the sick, teach to multitudes, tell parables to those who were trying to find the truth about God, He didn't rest...He PRAYED. Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me with this truth today. I make a commitment today to PRAY BEFORE, after, and during any ministry I endeavor. It is the most important part of any ministry that you have called me to. Thank You Jesus for such a great example. In Jesus' name, amen!"

“Stay at your post, watching!”

Scripture:

Mark 13:34-37 It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. (35) So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. (36) You don't want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. (37) I say it to you, and I'm saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch."

Observation:

Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home. Do you place the same importance on preparing for Christ's return, the most important event in your life? Its results will last for eternity. You dare not postpone your preparations because you do not know when his return will occur. The way to prepare is to study God's Word and live by its instructions each day. Only then will you be ready.

In expectation of His "take heed" answer to the disciples' inquiry about the time and the signs for the destruction of the temple, Jesus answers by two parables. One is the Parable of the Fig Tree, which He uses to seal the prophetic signs that He has given. No training in horticulture is needed to know that the leafy, tender branches of the fig tree forecast the coming of summer. In the same manner, anyone can see the signs that Jesus has given and know that the Son of Man is coming, but not until all of the signs are fulfilled, like the ripening of the fig tree.

No one can watch a fig tree grow, but never let the process be mistaken for the lack of fulfillment. As surely as the maturing of the fig tree predicts summer, most surely will the signs of Jesus' prediction bring His coming.

Secondly, Jesus talks about "Gatekeepers" . This term has become popular for persons in key positions of leadership in organizations and communities. As the symbol suggests, there are persons who are on constant watch to protect social values that are entrusted to them. Sometimes this " is a formal authority and sometimes it is a person who wields quiet, but powerful, influence. Nothing significant happens, however, without the approval of the "gatekeepers."

To be a "doorkeeper" or a "gatekeeper," on diligent watch for the coming of the Son of Man, is one of the most solemn duties in the kingdom of God. Someone has to keep watch so that others can do their work. Executives in leadership roles carry this responsibility-reading the signs, interpreting the meaning, putting out warnings, setting the direction, and announcing the coming of the Master. What an awesome privilege! Jesus charges the disciples with the duty of "doorkeeping," making them responsible for the household of faith. If they fall asleep so that the household misses His coming, God will hold them responsible.

Application:

Mark 13 tells us how to live while we wait for Christ's return: (1) We are not to be misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of what will happen (Mark 13:5-6). (2) We should not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they might say or do to us (Mark 13:9-11). (3) We must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecution (Mark 13:13). (4) We must be morally alert, obedient to the commands for living found in God's Word. This chapter was not given to promote discussions on prophetic timetables but to stimulate right living for God in a world where he is largely ignored.

We must remain faithful by staying at our post and watching. It is very easy to become distracted, and focused on the things around us that have no eternal value. It is easy to leave the "post" unattended, and no longer "watch". But my friend, when that happens, this will effect much more than just you. Countless souls are in the balance...Jesus is truly about to come back for His church. We must be busy about our Father's business. Let's determine to "Stay at the post...and watch!"

Prayer:

"Lord, forgive me for the times that I have left the post unattended, and not lived with eternity in mind. It is so easy for me to get lost in my own world and forget that this world is not all about ME. There are folks all around me who have their eternal destination in the balance, waiting on someone or something to "tilt" the balance towards Christ. May I TODAY be the one you use to help do that. In Jesus name, amen!"

“Embrace this God-life”

Scripture:

Mark 11:20-25 (MSG) In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. (21) Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look--the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!" (22) Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, (23) and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'--no shuffling or shilly-shallying--and it's as good as done. (24) That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. (25) And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive--only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Observation:

In this passage, two unusual incidents are related: the cursing of the fig tree and the clearing of the Temple. The cursing of the fig tree was an acted-out parable related to the clearing of the Temple. The Temple was supposed to be a place of worship, but true worship had disappeared. The fig tree showed promise of fruit, but it produced none. Jesus was showing his anger at religious life without substance. If you claim to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the barren fig tree. Genuine faith has great potential; ask God to help you bear fruit for his Kingdom.

Fig trees, a popular source of inexpensive food in Israel, require three years from the time they are planted until they can bear fruit. Each tree yields a great amount of fruit twice a year, in late spring and in early autumn. This incident occurred early in the spring when the leaves were beginning to bud. The figs normally grow as the leaves fill out, but this tree, though full of leaves, had no figs. The tree looked promising but offered no fruit. Jesus' harsh words to the fig tree could be applied to the nation of Israel. Fruitful in appearance only, Israel was spiritually barren.

Application:

Embracing this "God-life" means accepting and obeying God's Word and conditions. If we want to flow in the Spirit and have a right relationship with God our Father, then we MUST forgive, in WORD and ACTION. Then our prayers become very effective.

James 5:16 Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.

If you want your prayer to be something to be "reckoned with" then you MUST embrace this "God-life" God's way!

The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for the fruitfulness of God's Kingdom. It would seem impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that illustration to show that God can do the impossible. God will answer your prayers but not as a result of your positive mental attitude. Other conditions must be met: (1) You must be a believer; (2) you must not hold a grudge against another person; (3) you must not pray with selfish motives; (4) your request must be for the good of God's Kingdom. To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.

Prayer:

"Lord, I choose today to EMBRACE this "God-life." That means that I will forgive anyone that I hold a grudge against. Way too often, I nurse that grudge instead of killing it. Please forgive me for allowing bitterness, hurt, offense, and the lack of forgiveness to keep me from embracing the life You have for me. Today, I let go of the past. I let go of the hurt. I choose to forgive. I will not allow bitterness to rob me of the blessed life. I will not allow the flow of the Spirit to be hindered any longer because of my desire to please the whims of the flesh. I die to my flesh this morning and walk in, and embrace, the God-life! In Jesus name, amen!"

Biting, Devouring or Loving?

Scripture:

Galatians 5:13-15 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (14) The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (15) If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Observation:

Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.

When we believers lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself.

Matthew 22:35-39 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: (36) "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (37) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. When problems need to be addressed, confront in love rather than gossip. It really is pretty simple. You can BITE, DEVOUR, or LOVE. I choose love!

Application:

"Through love serve one another"
(Galatians 5:13). This is what Jesus meant when He said we would save our lives by losing them. If we give our life in love to others we will find it. "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!"
(Galatians 5:15).

Here is the losing and finding of life in a person. Marian Preminger was born in Hungary in 1913, raised in a castle with her aristocratic family, surrounded by maids, tutors, governesses, butlers, and chauffeurs. Her grandmother, who lived with them, insisted that whenever they traveled, they take their own linen, for she believed it was beneath their dignity to sleep between sheets used by common people.

While attending school in Vienna, Marian met a handsome young Viennese doctor. They fell in love, eloped, and married when she was only eighteen. The marriage lasted only a year and she returned to Vienna to begin her life as an actress.

While auditioning for a play, she met the brilliant young German director, Otto Preminger. They fell in love and soon married. They went to America soon thereafter, where he began his career as a movie director. Unfortunately and tragically, Hollywood is a place of dramatic illustrations of people "biting, devouring, and consuming" one another. Marian was caught up in the glamour, lights, and superficial excitement and soon began to live a sordid life. When Preminger discovered it, he divorced her.

She returned to Europe to live the life of a socialite in Paris. In 1948 she learned through the newspaper that Albert Schweitzer, the man she had read about as a little girl, was making one of his periodic visits to Europe and was staying at Günsbach. She phoned his secretary and was given an appointment to see Dr. Schweitzer the next day. When she arrived in Günsbach she discovered he was in the village church playing the organ. She listened and turned the pages of music for him. After a visit he invited her to have dinner at his house. By the end of the day she knew she had discovered what she had been looking for all her life. She was with him every day thereafter during his visit, and when he returned to Africa he invited her to come to Lambarene and work in the hospital.

She did-and she found herself. There in Lambarene, the girl who was born in a castle and raised like a princess, who was accustomed to being waited on with all the luxuries of a spoiled life, became a servant. She changed bandages, bathed babies, fed lepers … and became free. She wrote her autobiography and called it All I Ever Wanted Was Everything. She could not get the "everything" that would satisfy and give meaning until she could give everything. When she died in 1979, the New York Times carried her obituary, which included this statement from her: "Albert Schweitzer said there are two classes of people in this world-the helpers, and the non-helpers. I'm a helper."

What an example and application of Christ like love!

Prayer:

"Love, forgive me for the times I have chose to "bite and devour" instead of love. It is so much easier to tear someone down than it is to lift them up. At least it is to my flesh. That is why I choose to die to my flesh today. I crucify my flesh. I refuse to "bite and devour". I refuse to "backbite" I refuse to gossip. I refuse to whisper against anyone. I refuse to allow an ungodly words to come out of my mouth. I refuse to allow any ungodly attitudes to lead my life. I will love instead of biting and devouring...with Your Holy Spirit's help. In Jesus' name, amen!"

BUT GOD intended it for GOOD

Scripture:

Genesis 50:20 (NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20 (MSG) Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people.

Observation:

Now that Jacob (or Israel) was dead, the brothers feared revenge from Joseph. Could he really have forgiven them for selling him into slavery? But to their surprise, Joseph not only forgave them but reassured them, offering to care for them and their families. Joseph's forgiveness was complete. He demonstrated how God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it. Because God forgives us even when we have ignored or rejected him, we should graciously forgive others.

God brought good from the brothers' evil deed, Potiphar's wife's false accusation, the cup-bearer's neglect, and seven years of famine. The experiences in Joseph's life taught him that God brings good from evil for those who trust him. Do you trust God enough to wait patiently for him to bring good out of bad situations? You can trust him because, as Joseph learned, God can overrule people's evil intentions to bring about his intended results.

Application:

Genesis 50:20 always reminds me of the need to have 50/20 vision. Anything that happens to me, even if the enemy intends it to harm me, God can take those same plans and turn them around for His purposes, and for my good! Satan tried to plan and scheme to destroy Joseph, BUT GOD turned it around and intended it for good!

Genesis 50:20 is the Old Testament's "Romans 8:28":

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God works in "everything"-not just isolated incidents-for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called by him, that is, those whom the Holy Spirit convinces to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set. They trust in God, not in worldly treasures; their security is in heaven, not on earth. Their faith in God does not waver in pain and persecution because they know God is with them.

Prayer:

"Lord, I am so thankful that you take what was intended to harm me by the enemy of my soul, and turn it around for my good. It is difficult to "know" that at times, but thank you for this reminder today. I choose to walk with this truth at the forefront of my mind and spirit today. I trust you and your sovreignity, and KNOW that you are directing my life and steps. In Jesus' name, amen!"

Do my words RUN LOOSE?

Scripture:

Psalm 17:3 Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night-- You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.

Observation:

Was David saying he was sinless? Far from a proud assumption of purity, David's claim was an understanding of his relationship with God. In Psalms 32 and 51, David freely acknowledged his own sins. Nevertheless his relationship with God was one of close fellowship and constant repentance and forgiveness. His claim to goodness, therefore, was based on his continual seeking after God. H e was asking God to search him from the inside out. His statement, "My words don't run loose" is a claim that every child of God should strive to be able to make.

Application:

As I read our text this morning, I prayed, "Lord please forgive me for the times my words HAVE run loose, which is too often. I get frustrated or aggravated and run off with my mouth. I don't DIE to my flesh, I yield to my flesh and allow my words to run loose. The Holy Spirit brought the following verses to my mind a few moments ago:

Ephesians 4:29-32 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (30) Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. (31) Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. (32) Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

We can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, harsh words, slander, and bad attitudes toward others. Instead of acting that way, we should be forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Are you bringing sorrow or pleasing God with your attitudes and actions? Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his Son to die for your sins. Do I allow my words to "run loose"? I'm afraid way too often, I do.

When I allow my words to "run loose" I am breaking the heart of the Holy Spirit, I am grieving Him. I need to remember today that "the Holy Spirit, moving and breathing" in me is the most intimate part of my life. As He convicts me of the angry, frustrated, agitated words that I speak, I must repent of them because God is making me "fit for Himself" according to the verse above. Today...I choose to reign my words in by dying to my flesh, in Jesus' name!

Prayer:

"Lord, I ask you to forgive me for allowing my words to run loose and grieving Your Holy Spirit. Today, I want to please you and allow YOU to have control of my life today. This cannot happen if I do not make a conscious effort to "crucify my flesh." I refuse to allow my words to run rampant in my life. They hurt you and those who are around. I want my words to edify and encourage not tear down and discourage. In Jesus' name, amen!"