Mark 3 “Calling The Twelve”

“And He went up to the mountain and He called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” (v.13)

Jesus often retired to a place of solitude for prayer and communion with His Father. Here in our text we see Him going up to a mountain to pray and consider whom He would call to become His Apostles from among His many disciples. Luke’s gospel (6:12) tells us that when He retired to the mountain for solemn prayer, He continued all night in that duty before He made His choice.

These twelve were to be His Apostles, to preach in His name, to work miracles, to cast out demons, heal the sick, and to withstand persecution, even unto death. Therefore, this decision was not one to be taken lightly nor done without seeking His Father’s guidance. This shows us that much consideration and prayer should go into the selection of persons for ministry, and that nothing in so important a work should be done in haste.

This then becomes a blueprint for us in every important decision we need to make in our lives. Go to our mountain, call upon God, and continue to pray until our spirit is sure of His leading.  

The Truth: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

Mark 2 “Jesus On Fasting”

“And Jesus said to them, “While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. “But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” (vv.19-20)

Today’s passage underscores the overarching reason God’s people fast: to draw near to God. In verse 18 it’s noted that both the Pharisees and John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting, whereas Jesus’ followers were not fasting. When questioned Jesus said, in essence, I am already here so my followers don’t need to fast. In contrast, because they didn’t recognize God the Son, the others were leaning toward God the Father, fasting in an attempt to bridge the distance.

Today we live in the days of the “absence” of our Lord here on earth. So for us, fasting (when placed on our hearts) now becomes a way to draw nearer to God. J.I. Packer described fasting in this way. “There’s nothing magical about fasting. It’s just one way of telling God that your priority at that moment is to be alone with him, cutting out whatever is necessary, a meal, a party, a concert, or whatever else you had planned to do in in order to fulfill that priority.”

Fasting reduces the influence of our self-will and invites the Holy Spirit to do more intense work in us. Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God. May God richly bless you as you set Him as a priority in your life!

The Truth: “So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.” (Ezra 8:23)

Mark 1 “The Baptism Of Jesus”

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit sent Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (vv.9-13)

Mark's gospel begins with a brief description of the ministry of John the Baptize. Mark indicates that John's ministry of preaching and baptism fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (40:3). That he was sent to set the stage for the coming Messiah and announce His purpose. John's message promised that the one who came after him would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit.

What I find significant in our text is, that the first action Jesus took after He was baptized (and once He began His public ministry), was to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit (v.12). Even though it meant He would be without shelter, without food, exposed to the wild beasts, and buffeted by Satan for forty days, He responded anyway.

Jesus' actions exemplify the two most important dimensions of a life of purpose; 1) He knew what God the Father had called Him to do, and 2) He was responsive to the calling of the Holy Spirit in His life. We too have a purpose to fulfill. May we continually listen to the “still small voice” of the Spirit guiding us to His purposes in our lives, and be responsive to that leading.

The Truth: “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Psalm 150 “The Command to Praise”

“Let every breathing thing praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (v.6)

Who should praise the LORD? “Everything that has breath.” “Why?” For His mighty deeds (v.2); “How?” With musical instruments (including our voice vv.3-5); “Where?” In His sanctuary, the holy place, set aside for worship (v.1).

That is a powerful image. In essence, all of creation stands before God and is called to praise him. We have the joy of being able to do so with our whole selves: with our voices in worship, with musical instruments if we play, with our minds, our work, our skills, and our very lives.

Therefore, praise Him for His marvelous deeds, and give the glory due His name.

The Truth: “My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD; let every creature bless His holy name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:21)

Psalm 149 “His Eye Is On Us”

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” (v.4)

The Lord watches us more closely than we realize. At each turn, his eye is upon us; and when we demonstrate some trait of obedience or devotion, He takes pleasure in us. And like our earthly father He is also there to protect His children and turn their ashes into joy.

Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember, that He is by our side and watches over us through it all.

The Truth: “The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.” (Psalm 121:5)

Psalm 148 “Praise the LORD”

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens!” (vv.1-4)

Here in psalm 148 the universe is summoned to praise God. All created things are called on to give glory to His name. Why, because “He commanded and they were created” (v. 5). Their origins display His power and sovereignty.

The hymn "All Creatures of Our God and King” by Francis of Assisi was penned in the same spirit as Psalm 148 and would be a great song to learn. Here’s the first verse:

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Oh, praise Him! Oh, praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Oh, praise Him! Oh, praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Truly Francis was on point when he penned these words.

The Truth: “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:13)

Psalm 147 “He Is Our Healer”

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (v.3)

Psalm 147 was probably written to commemorate the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls after Israel’s return from exile (vv. 2, 13-14). It had broken the nation’s heart to leave the Promised Land and to see the Temple burned.

But God had not forgotten His people! With compassion, He had promised that He would one day bring Israel back and restore her (Isa. 51:3). And like the Good Samaritan in that well-known parable in Luke, God cares. He is the good shepherd, caring for the needs of His flock (Ezek. 34:18), the God of all comfort, who not only comforts us, but enables us to minister comfort and healing to others (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

And as our great “Great Physician” He has offered the gift of eternal life through His Son, for the terminal illness of sin. He stands ready with the cure if you’ll just accept His remedy today (see prayer to the left of this post). He will heal your broken heart, bind up your wounds, forgive your sin, and prepare a place for you in heaven to spend eternity with Him.

Therefore, call upon Him right now, for it is written, "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD, shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Psalm 146 “Trust In God”

“Do not put your trust in princes, nor a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.  Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (vv.3-5)

Kings, Presidents, Princes, they are all mortal, they all die and return to the earth as dust, and heir plans and schemes die with them. But we serve the King of kings, who lives forever and ever, whose plans are perfect and will come to His designed conclusion. Hallelujah!

Therefore, place your hope in God and not man who's breath perishes.

The Truth: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8)

Psalm 145 “Great Is The LORD”

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.” (vv.3-4)

In this Psalm David challenges us to search out God’s greatness, assuring us that God is so immense, we will never be able to discover His full magnitude. He also encourages us to pass on this information to the next generation, “One generation shall praise Your works to another” (v.4).

It is so important for the church to fellowship with all ages. Separation of men, women, young and old has its place, but in fellowship the elders can mentor the younger, and the younger can energize the older. Everyone can testify to God’s work in their lives, and pass on the greatness of  His mercy by declaring His mighty acts from one generation to the next.

Therefore, fellowship with one another and praise the LORD.

The Truth: ”Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.” (Psalm 96:3-4)

Psalm 144 “Trust in The LORD”

“Blessed be the LORD my strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.” (vv.1-2)

David was king, yet he knew that his strength did not come from his own hands. As a mighty warrior he understood the necessity of a strong fortress and a high tower with which to sight the approach of the enemy from afar. Yet these things were nothing apart from the Lord.

David knew his true fortress and his true high tower was God Himself! Even his shield was worth nothing apart from God! So much so that all of David's successes he attributed to the Lord and not himself.

What a great example for us to comprehend - that our true strength and power lies in God, and not ourselves. And, all we have to do to find, victory, joy, peace, and hope, is to trust in Him.

The Truth: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”(Proverbs 3:5)

Psalm 143 “Our Deliverer”

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done.” (v. 5)

Psalm 143 seems to be a continuation of Psalm 142. In this Psalm David follows a pattern of wrestling with a problem and then crying out to God for help. So many times David finds himself in trouble and despair, but always finds his help in God.

What an encouragement this is to all of us. If David, a man after God's own heart, faced such troubles, then we should not be surprised when we continually face such trouble as well. The question is, “How should we react when we do?”

The answer is found in verse five where David writes, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all You have done.” Meaning, we simply look to what God has done for us in the past, and realize He will continue to deliver us in the future. For we are His children, the work of His hands, redeemed by the blood of Christ, who will not allow our foot be moved.

The Truth: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

Psalm 142 “God Watches Over Us”

“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who watches over my way.” (v. 3)

It is a very lonely place to sense that no human being really cares about your life, whether you survive or not. And in this psalm David seems to be in that place emotionally. However, a closer look into his message tells us that although he has these human feelings, in his spirit he still looks toward the One who always watches over him, God Almighty – the one who will never leave us nor forsake us.

It is comforting to have friends and family there for us when we are going through rough water, but in reality, only God can heal our broken lives, only His touch can reach our very souls. And when we put our faith and trust in Him, like David, we can live our lives in confidence knowing that God is right there beside us, "watching over us" - even in the depths of our despair.

The Truth: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Psalm 141 “Guard My Mouth”

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (v.3)

As a young boy I stayed with my grand parents a lot, as both of my parents worked. One of the things I can remember my grandfather saying to me was, “Boy, there’s a reason why God gave you two ears and one mouth. And that’s because He wants you to listen twice as much as you speak.” I’m sure that was just his way to get me to stop bugging him, but you get the picture. There's a way to get your point across without using a sharp tongue.

It is a rare person who could go even a week without saying something they regretted. David was aware of this and that is why he was saying in this psalm, “Lord, I need your help not to go off and say things I will regret later.” Things we say, and even how we say them matter. Therefore, asking God as David did to guard our mouths, is a wise request for every believer to make during their prayer time.

LORD forgive me for the times I did not guard my mouth, nor keep watch over the door of my lips. But, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Amen.

Psalm 140 “God, Our Strong Deliverer”

“Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men; who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips.” (vv. 1-3)

Maybe you've heard the well-known Civil War story about the person who asked Abraham Lincoln whether he thought God was on the side of the Union or the Confederacy. Lincoln is said to have replied that he wasn't concerned about whose side God was on; he was far more concerned that he was on God's side.

David was definitely on God's side--so much so that he could pray that God would defeat the plans of his enemies and bring these evil people down to judgment. David looked to God as his strong deliverer to protect him in battle, vindicate his trust in God, and deal with the violent, evil, and proud men who were out to destroy him. In other words, he left it to God.

While our detractors are probably not as numerous or as dangerous as David's were, you and I still have our own persecution to deal with by those hostile to the faith. But, no matter what our circumstances are, like David, we have a strong “deliverer” in the Lord, who “shields our head in the day of battle"(v. 7).

I thank God for this reassuring aspect of His character, and rest in the fact that vindication is His.

The Truth:  “O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10)

Psalm 139 “God Knows Yet Loves Man”

“O lord, You have searched me, and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, You are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (vv. 1-6)

There is no better feeling in the world than to know you are completely known and completely loved. God already knows every horrible thing we’ve ever done or will do and yet still he loves us more than we will ever understand.

Sometimes it’s easier to believe that we aren’t good enough for God than to accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. But God loved us before we knew him, and had a plan to save us before we realized we needed saving. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

What an awesome Heavenly Father we have. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, who knows how many hairs are on our heads right now (or not as the case may be), the unconfessed sin in our hearts, and loves us all the same. Knowing that, how can we not give our best for Him who has done so much for us?

The Truth: “And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Psalm 138 “Confidence in God”

“Though I walk in the middle of trouble, You will revive me: You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand shall save me.” (v. 7)

David, "walked in the middle of trouble" during most of his life. And what God had done for him many times before, David expresses confidently (here in our text), He would do for him again; revive him, protect him, and defeat his enemies.

What great encouragement for us to confidently believe the same. I’m sure we could all look back over our lives and see how His Word has strengthen us, lifted us up, and provided us victory over our past troubles. Which gives us the confidence, like David, that God will continue to revive, strengthen, and deliver us in the future as well.

Therefore, like David, we can say with confidence, "Though I walk in the middle of trouble, Your right hand will save me."

The Truth: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Psalm 137 “Sorrow Turns to Joy”

“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" (vv. 1-3)

Psalm 137 is a rather sobering Psalm; as the Israelite captives were ready to cross over the rivers leading into Babylon, they sat down and wept remembering Zion. To add to their grief, their captors were ridiculing them by asking them to sing one of the songs of Zion.

Music, especially singing, is a very important part of Jewish customs, traditions, worship, and life. Their songs are upbeat, very rhythmical, joyful, a part of almost every aspect of their lives. Plus, they really just love to sing. But as stated in Ecclesiastes, there’s a time to sing, and times when you don’t feel like singing, and if forced to do so, it just isn’t the same.

While being held captive, God’s people were thinking of the desolation of Jerusalem, and it was hard to sing of the joys of the land, of the blessings and prosperity, or the goodness of God while defeated, captured, and enslaved. And so while in Babylon, the songs were silent, until freedom and restoration came through the LORD.

I too have experienced this same loss of joy, this same feeling of sorrow, and lack of desire to rejoice in all things. A time when singing was just not something I could do. That morning, weeping, and lamenting were all I could manage – Until spiritual restoration came to my soul through Jesus Christ. Then, just as the time of captivity was ended for the Jews after 70 years due to their sin, and they returned to Jerusalem, so my captivity was ended and I returned to the LORD.

Oh how happy is the man who's joy is in the LORD.

The Truth: “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22)

Psalm 136 “His Mercy Endures Forever”

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (v. 1)

This psalm begins and ends with the same thought: being thankful for God’s mercy. Throughout the entire psalm we find the repeated phrase, "For His mercy endures forever.” This phrase becomes the chores of the song, and is repeated in all twenty-six verses. The purpose of the psalm was to impress upon all who sang it a certain thought or idea. And by the time one would sing it through, the intended result would be a strong reminder that God’s mercy does truly endure forever.

The same is true for us in all situations, under all circumstances, “God’s mercy endures forever.” Take a moment to write your own psalm by making a list of God's blessings, protections, and provisions upon your life. Then at the end of each listing write the words "His mercy endures forever." Truly, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22.

Chapter-A-Day will continue on Friday in chapter 137 of the psalms. Hope you can read along. Have another "blessed day."

Chris

Psalm 135 “The Idols of Nations”

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak: Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” (vv. 15-18)

In contrast to the greatness of God, we see the idols of man are death, dumb, and blind. This scripture tells us that if you trust in them, you will become like them, taking on their characteristics. That is why it is so important to worship the true and the living God.

John tells us in 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we going to be. But, we know that when He is revealed, we will be like Him." Serving the true and the living God is such a blessing. Every day has meaning, and His Word provides knowledge and direction for life.

How tragic to see men worshipping power, wealth, pleasure. Becoming like their gods, being obsessed by lust, greed, and position. Just look around and you will see it in every aspect of society; politics, business, sports, and unfortunately even in the church, as some men use their influence to acquire what they want as opposed to what God may want.

Just remember this, whatever you worship, you will become like it. So I guess the question is, “What do you want to be like?”

The Truth: "But we, with open face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed from glory to glory into the same image."  (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Psalm 134 “Bless the LORD”

“Bless the Lord, all you which by night stand in the house of the Lord.”
(v. 1)

This hymn was composed for the night-watch of the Temple, for those that had gone to relieve the Levites who had been in charge during the day. In it, the psalmist calls upon those who stand by night to “lift up their hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD” (v. 2).

Who among us today are the night-watch of the LORD? Who stands before Him in praise and prayer while the busy workers of the day are slumbering? Who seeks His blessing on the work of the past day, and the coming one? The sleepless suffers are God’s night watch, those who have been called to praise and prayer in the night, to lift up their hands and stand in the gap before the LORD.

What a blessing it is when men of the church commit themselves to stand in the house of the LORD by night. Sacrificing sleep to take a shift of prayer for the body of Christ and His church. The final verse of this psalm tells us, there comes back to those who stand by night, the assurance that the Lord (which made heaven and earth) shall bless (v. 3).

It is impossible for Him who made heaven and earth, not to bless the souls He created. Simply put, He cannot fail to bless those that bless. Indeed, their hearts, like sounding boards, reflect His own. Therefore, stand watch. Lift up your hands and bless the LORD.

The Truth: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)

Psalm 133 “Brotherly Love”

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” (v. 1) 

This Psalm, composed by David, has it’s message motivated by the happy occasion of the ending of the civil war between the two houses of Saul and David. The psalmist, having felt the sad effects of discord and division, expresses the great blessing of reconciliation and unity.

It is so sad when the church, or members within it’s body become entangled into a “war” of sorts with others. The affect of division and discord not only hurt the church from within, but it also does great harm to its witness and ministry to others. 

We are all imperfect beings, and some discord and unpleasantness is sure to rear its ugly head from time to time in the church, as well as in our relationship with others. But, this is easily neutralized by the true brotherly love. May we remember, a church united in the earnest love of the Lord and for each other, is a well of goodness and joy to all those who dwell in and round about it.

The Truth: “Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)