Numbers 17-19; Mark 15:1-25

I’m in need of some cleansing today. In fact, I’m in need of cleansing everyday. Everyday I do things I wish I wouldn’t do. I say things I don’t want to say, I act a way I shouldn’t act, I am once again tempted by the same old sin. Everyday I need to be washed anew.
I love the picture of the cleansing water in Numbers 19. When the Israelites sinned, a sacrifice had to be made. The ashes from that sacrifice, mixed with water, were something the Israelites could visually pour over themselves in an act of cleansing. This was a physical act of a spiritual change in their hearts. Through the sacrificial cleansing they were forgiven. For them this was a process they had to go through time after time. It wasn’t until Christ’s death on the cross that all of the sins of the world were forgiven. Christ became the ultimate living water for each of us. Jesus revealed this living water to the Samaritan woman in John 4:13-14: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Through his death on the cross Christ gave us everlasting living water. This water cleanses us more completely than any act of sacrifice we could ever do. This water is complete. It covers every sin we’ve ever committed and ever will. Daily I’m in need of this reminder that his living water covers me and purifies me day by day. Daily I’m in need of the reminder that this earth and all of its woes will one day pass away.: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17). Until then, I pray for cleansing as I face each day.

Numbers 9-11; Mark 14:1-26

I love the story of Jesus’ anointing at Bethany. Mark 14:1-11 tells us about a woman who broke a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it over Jesus’ head. Even though the others rebuked her for this seemingly foolish act, she knew that she was worshiping her Savior. She had complete trust in him and what he would do for her. She was anointing him for his emanate burial. At least to a certain degree, she saw understood what was going to happen and was not afraid to give him the honor he was due.
Fear is a thing that often holds me back. It holds me back in secular settings, in moments when I could profess my faith. It holds me back in worship services, when I don't go forward and kneel at the altar because I’m worried about what people will think. Fear holds me back from truly believing that God can do the impossible, much like Moses who doubted that God could provide enough meat to feed all the people (Numbers 11:21-23). I loved God’s response to Moses here. God says, “Is the LORD’s arm too short?” In other words, is there anything God can’t handle?
What a great reminder that God’s arm reaches everywhere, to every point of our lives. He is more than able to provide for each of and heal us of our fears and physical ailments. He is God after all. He doesn’t want our doubt, but instead wants our faithful surrender, as we sit at his feet and worship him.

Are you fearful of anything to today? How could you more fully worship God today?

The Wake Up Call: Numbers 5-8; Mark 13:1-37

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " (Mark 13:35-37).

Jesus warns us in these above verses to be alert and ready for his emanate turn. Oh how I look forward to those days in eternity, where there will be no more sickness, no more hardships, and no more death. Won’t that be wonderful? Until then, we are warned to not sleep through our Christian lives, but to live every moment for Christ.
What does sleeping mean in the above verse? The Greek work for sleeping used in verse 36 is “katheudō” which means to literally fall sleep or to metaphorically “yield to sloth and sin or to be indifferent to one’s salvation.”*
There have been times in my life when I have definitely been “indifferent” to my salvation. You see, I’ve been a Christian my entire life. I’ve read the verses, sung the hymns, and heard the way a proper Christian should act over and over again. This causes me to become callous to the things of God. From time to time, God has to shake me and remind me of the tremendous gift he gave me in my salvation.
He wake me up to the fact that he didn’t create me to live a mediocre, Christian life, but to live a life that is completely and utterly fulfilling and joyful. He has to wake me up to the fact that he didn’t create me to just mingle in my Christian circles, but to reach out and touch the unlovable and share with them the amazing love of Christ. He has to wake me up to the fact that life as a Christian should never be ordinary, but extraordinary.

Are you spiritually asleep today? How do you need to wake up?



*Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for katheudō (Strong's 2518)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 2 Nov 2009.

What's Love Got to Do With It? Numbers 1-4; Mark 12:1-44

Mark 12: 30-31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

I do love God more than any earthly thing. This is something easy for me to say. The harder thing is to proclaim that I love my neighbor as much as I love myself. There are few people in my life that I can truly say this about. Most other people I sometimes love, on a conditional basis. Other people I don’t love at all.
These are the ones that rub me the wrong way, make fun of me, degrade me, or lie to me on a regular basis. These are the people who seem hopeless and lost, but Jesus calls me to love them just the same. And so I reach out, with empty hands, at my whit’s end on how to love them, and ask my God to reveal some good in these creatures. I ask him to help me love them with a love that could only possibly come from him, because on my own the feelings would be closer to hatred then love. And he answers and gives me a love for them that is amazing and past all understanding. He’s just amazing like that.
Is there anyone you need to reach out and love today? Ask God for help, he’s ready and waiting to help you love them, when you can’t on your own.

Leviticus 25; Mark 11:1-18

Can you imagine what it would have been like on that day, to stand there in Jerusalem, waving a palm branch as the King of Kings rode through the city on a donkey? What a thrill it would have been to shout out praises and worship him. And how sad that the same people who worshiped him so whole-heatedly would soon turn their back on him. I’d liked to say that it would be different for me. That I still would have followed Jesus, instead of turning on him and having him crucified. But, I can’t condemn those people back in Jerusalem, because I, too, have doubted him from time to time. When times are happy I jump around, full of praises for my savior. When things don’t go as planned, I start to doubt his sovereignty. I start to take matters into my own hands, instead of worshiping him in the good times and in the bad.
Oh how I want to worship him in any and every situation. This is my prayer today, that when the next hardship comes my way, I will be able to depend on the Lord like never before.
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14a).

Leviticus 23-24; Mark 10:32-52

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44).

From an early age society has taught me to be independent and self-serving. In this world there is little room for humbleness and servitude. Many people will step on your toes and push you out of the way to succeed. For them, wealth, power and fame are the epitome of success.
Jesus has an entirely different viewpoint on success. In eyes, the truly successful are the servants of all. This is not easy, in any meaning of the word. Being a servant is one of the most humbling things a girl can do. But it’s what my Jesus calls me to do. Whether this means folding laundry and cleaning toilets, making food for someone who is on bed rest, or whatever else God wants me to do today, I am ready and willing to be a servant.

Ever since I read Mark 10:43-44, the words of the song, “Make Me a Servant” have been running through my head. I haven’t been able to find the author of the song, but I’d like to share the lyrics with you, just the same. May this be the prayer of your heart today:

“Make me a servant, humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up, those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be;
Make me a servant, make me a servant,
Make me a servant, today.”

Leviticus 21-22; Mark 10:1-31

“The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, 'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, 'Who then can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God' (Mark 10:24-27).

Sometimes things seem hopeless. I know I’ve been struggling with a situation as of late that never seems to improve. I’ll do well for awhile, and then fall back into the old temptations once again. It seems as if I have to give this issue back to God over and over again. At times this is extremely frustrating. That is why I found these verses today to be so encouraging.
God did the impossible by cleansing me from my old nature and giving me eternal life. If he can do this, I know he can handle this other struggle in my life. The verses above do not say that with God “some” things are possible. The verse says that “all” things are possible.
Today I praise God that he really can take care of this issue in my life. He is ready and waiting for me to surrender it to him, and to move on with life, praising him for continued healing.
What seemingly impossible issue do you need to give over to God today?

Lord, thank you that with you, there truly is nothing impossible.

Salt Anyone? (Leviticus 19-20; Mark 9:30-50)

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50).
This verse left me wondering what it means to be “salty” as a Christian. Strong’s Concordance tells us that the Greek word for “salt” is halas. We all know that salt is used both to season and preserve food. But in the Greek, it could have also been used to mean something different. Along with the expected definitions, Strong’s also suggests that halas could mean “wisdom and grace exhibited in speech.” How interesting.
Shortly before these words in Mark 9:50, Jesus had been talking about stumbling blocks and Christians. He warned us against causing our fellow believers to fall. Then he has this statement about Christians and saltiness. Perhaps he was calling all of us to show grace and wisdom in the way we approached different situations. With wisdom and grace, our eyes might be opened to areas of struggle for our brothers and sisters. Without wisdom we would act hastily and foolishly.
For me, it is often my tongue that get’s me into trouble first. In the past, I’ve been known to tease and taunt, or to give into a situation too easily. Christ is calling us to live salty lives, not governed by our tongue, but by the wisdom and grace that comes from the Holy Spirit.
I know that I need the Holy Spirit to bring some saltiness into my life today, what about you?

Lord, thank you for these verses today, that encouraged me to take a closer look at how I’ve been acting as a Christian. Please bring renewed saltiness into my life.

Leviticus 17, 18; Mark 9:1-29

Today’s reading takes us through some more blood ordinances in Leviticus and then turns to the Transfiguration and the casting out of a demon. The verse that struck me the most was the last verse, Mark 9:29 that says, “This kind can only come out by prayer.” The disciples had tried to cast out the demon on their own, but they were doing it on their own, without praying to God for help. Without praying, they were useless. What a good lesson for them, and for me.
Sometimes I forget to truly ask God for help in different areas of my life. I go about my day, proclaiming his goodness, but never truly asking for his help and guidance.
Have you ever been in a similar circumstance? Do you need to pray to God for help today? May we never underestimate the power of simple prayer.

Leviticus 13; Mark 7:14-37

There’s snow on the ground as I write this today. Yes, I know it’s only October, but for some reason, God decided to let it snow today. I find a fresh snow-fall so beautiful. It’s so white, so pure. It reminds me of that verse in Isaiah 1:18 that says: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
On our own, we are dirty and impure. But Jesus did something wonderful for us. He came into this world and died for our sins. His death and resurrection paid the ultimate price. Now we are free to stand before the Lord, no longer blemished and impure, but clean and white.
I’m so thankful for that price that was paid for me, and for you as well. On my own, I’d never measure up. Without God I’m like that dirt outside my window that somehow missed being covered by the snow this morning. With God I’m the grass, completely white and beautiful.

Leviticus 11-12; Mark 7:1-13

Today’s reading, both in Leviticus and Mark, was about clean and unclean things. In Leviticus God sets up rules about food the Israelites can and cannot eat. God also gives purification rituals for women who just had a baby. These rules were set in place so that the Israelites would have guidelines to follow in their lives and would learn to obey God. In the book of Mark, Jesus talks to some Pharisees who were so caught up in rituals, that they were neglecting to truly worship God.
The balance between ritual and respect is such a tedious one. Even in my own life, there are things I do, because I’ve always done them that way. I no longer think about why I say certain prayers, or wear certain clothes to church on Sunday.
For me, today’s reading was a reminder to focus on what’s really important in life. This sort of living doesn’t focus on the rules of Christianity, but instead focus on the God we love and serve and the people we’re called to preach the good news to.

Leviticus 8-10; Mark 6:30-56

We serve a God of the impossible. He raises people from the dead, heals them from sickness, feeds thousands of people, and walks upon the water. He does the impossible, so why is it so hard to believe?
For me, at least, it’s hard for me to believe in the impossible at times because I’m stuck in this world where everything is measured and figured and explained away. It’s hard for me to comprehend things that are past my brains capabilities. It’s hard for me to understand that God has always existed and always will, because I live in a world where each of our days is numbered. It’s hard for me to understand. I could go crazy trying to figure everything out. And so I don’t. I live by faith, not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7).
To close my thoughts for today, here’s a few verses to consider:
• “How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out” (Job 36:26).
• “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things” (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
• Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
• “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Leviticus 3-5; Mark 5:21-43

After today’s reading, I feel like singing a song. What a wondrous God we serve! Leviticus showed us the Old Testament version of sin atonement. Mark shows us a Savior who came, once and for all, to be the ultimate atonement for sin. As he walked throughout the earth, he showed his true power and majesty. He showed that he truly is a compassionate, healing God. We only have to believe. The story of the bleeding woman is such a beautiful one. This lady believes that by even touching the robe of Jesus, she will be healed. She has such a simple faith. Sometimes I wish I had a faith such as hers. I often find myself consumed by doubt, thinking that I need to fix things on my own, instead of trusting in Jesus to do the impossible.
Do you have something impossible on your heart today? What area of your life do you need to give over to God?

Lord, thank you that you are a God that heals. Please help me to have the faith to believe in things that seem impossible.

Exodus 39-40; Mark 4:21-41

The Parable of the Growing Seed
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come’" (Mark 4: 26-29).
Sometimes I get caught up in my human nature and wonder how God could ever love someone like me, I see the imperfections and failures, God sees the end result. I have been a Christian for two decades, but I still feel so young in the faith. I feel like a tiny sprout slowly growing into a stalk, like in the parable above. I feel like I’m still starting out. I still have so much to learn, so far to grow.
What’s wonderful is that God sees the outcome of that little seed, even when I can’t. He sees the promise in me, when I’m filled with doubt. He sees a beautiful plant, ripe for the harvest, when I’m still just a little sprout.

Where do you see yourself in this parable today? What is God saying to you as you read these words?

Lord, thank you for the reminder that you do have a wonderful future in store for me.

Exodus 36-38; Mark 4:1-20

Sometimes plowing is painful
Sometimes uprooting is tough
Sometimes I dislike the struggle
Sometimes I fight letting go
Just the same, my prayer is always this:
May my ears be ready and willing to listen to your word
May my tongue proclaim your mercies, which are new everyday
May my eyes truly mirror your love and faithfulness
May my feet walk wherever you want me to go
May my heart be changed and renewed
May my life bear lasting fruit that can only come from you.

Exodus 34-35; Mark 3:20-35

“Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother’" (Mark 3:34-35).

I’ve often wondered why most of my conflict occurs with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They are the ones I struggle at getting along with the most. They are the ones that I get extremely jealous of. They are the ones that are sometimes the hardest to love.
I think Satan would be perfectly happy if we lived our entire lives totally consumed with fighting fellow believers. For when we’re caught up in each other, we really can’t reach out and minister to others. We’ve become caught in a trap. We bite and tear our brothers and sisters down, instead of joining together, putting aside our differences, and learning to love with the love of Christ.
This verse above, from Mark 3:34-35 spoke to my heart as I read it today. In these verses, Jesus makes a distinction between his earthly family and his heavenly family. His earthly family had just determined that he was “out of his mind” (vs.21). They thought he was crazy for such stories and healing all the people. Perhaps they even thought he was possessed. Whatever the case, they clearly were not following God on this matter. They didn’t yet seem to believe that he was the Son of God. On the other hand, Jesus’ heavenly family included all of the people who did believe that He was the Messiah. It even includes you and me! We, also, are considered Jesus’ brothers and sisters. What an honor! And how undeserving we all are.
As hard as it is, I have made an effort to love my fellow brothers and sisters. This hasn’t always been easy. There have been times in which I’ve had to pray for years for a certain person, asking God to help me love them. The beauty of surrendering my feelings to God, though, is that he answers back tenfold. He has blessed me with some wonderful friendships, friendships that started out rocky at first, but through love, turned into something wonderfully deep.
My encouragement to all of you today is to not let Satan get a foothold in your relationships. Don’t let personalities, or jealously, or harsh words come between you and your sisters and brothers in Christ. Instead, give the relationships over to God. You won’t be disappointed.