Centsible Living

Scripture:  Mark 4:26-27

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.”

Observation:

Although we may sow the seed of God’s Word, God is the one who cares for and causes that seed to grow in His own time and way.

Application:

I’m reminded of Cody, a teenager I met last summer during a mission trip.  He was “different” — he dressed in mostly black, I think he wore a bit of eyeliner, had some piercings, etc.  I ended up talking to him for a few minutes during dinner one night.

He told me about the church he sometimes attended with his aunt.  He didn’t really like it, but he went out of respect for her.  I asked him where he was with Jesus and he was honest — he wasn’t sure.  Like so many young people, he was put off by “religion” and how it seemed like there were so many rules.  We spent a few minutes discussing faith vs. religion.  I told him how much Jesus loved him, how much I loved him and that I would pray for him.

It was about a five minute discussion, but my life was changed.  I only saw Cody again briefly before the trip was over.  I don’t know where he is at with his relationship to Jesus.  But the seed was planted and although I don’t know what is happening to it, I know that God is caring for that seed and can use it in His time.

Prayer:

Lord, You alone have the power to save and I praise You for desiring to save us. Please forgive me for the times when I didn’t sow seeds.  Forgive me for not being faithful and praying often for those among who I’ve sown seeds. Jesus, thank you for caring for the seeds that I’ve sewn and for giving me places in which to sew. Lord, be with Cody.  Open his heart wide to receive Your love and the full forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Scripture:  Mark 3:11

Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

 Observation:

The spirit world, both good and evil, knows that Jesus is God and the Savior and testifies to that fact.  Humanity, however, denies Jesus and His divinity

Application:

I know that Jesus is God and He is my Savior.  Yet, I still deny Him when I don’t testify about who He is when I’m presented with an opportunity to do so.  It really stuns me to think that impure spirits fall down before Him and testify, but sometime I don’t!!

Thankfully, Jesus is God and He is my Savior!  Although those impure spirits testified, they did so in fear.  I don’t fear my Savior — He is a Friend who loves me, forgives me and guides me.

Prayer:

Jesus, You are truly God and Savior and all honor is due You. Please forgive me for times when I didn’t cry out and testify. Thank you for Your loving-kindness towards me, for being my Friend and for making me righteous. When I’m given opportunities to testify, please give me the words and the courage to do it no matter the cost.

Scripture: Mark 2:27

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Observation:

Jesus reminded the Pharisees that He instituted the Sabbath for man’s benefit and all the rules that man had created for the observation of the Sabbath weren’t necessarily to His liking.

Application:

It’s so easy to judge others for how they observe the Sabbath. Are they dressed “correctly”? Are they attending church service regularly? Are they sending their children to Sunday School? Were they paying attention to the sermon? Did they look repentant? We seem to forget that the Sabbath isn’t ours — it’s God’s.

God created the Sabbath for man as a day of rest — rest for our bodies, minds and souls. A rest that is in the Lord and with the Lord as we worship Him and He meets us through Word and Sacrament.

The problem comes when we start putting our man-made rules into place and defining the minute details of what rest is for all people. People are not all made from the same cookie-cutter, but are uniquely and wonderfully created with different needs. God knows and understands that more than we do. So it makes sense that we would let him define the details of what rest is for each of us and then do it!!

Prayer:

Lord, You are amazing and truly worthy of all my praise. Please forgive me for those times when I’ve judged how others observe the Sabbath. Thank You for creating the Sabbath for me so that I may rest my mind, body and soul in You. Help me to let You define what rest is for me and then help me to rest.

Scripture: Mark 1:2-3

I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way — a voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Observation:

This piece of scripture is actually a prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3 regarding John the Baptist. As amazing as I always find fulfilled prophecy, what touched me today was the word “prepare.” John prepared the way for Jesus among the people of his day by teaching them to repent of their sins.

Application:

The preparation by John the Baptist was not a one-time event. The way that was so carefully prepared gets cluttered everyday by my sinful nature. This means I need to prepare the way each and every day for Jesus.

This reminds me of my house — no matter how many times I clean it, it just gets messy again from living. If I neglect the cleaning of my house, I don’t like to invite people over and soon I don’t even like to be in it! I may not be fond of cleaning, but I do love the results. It’s wonderful to sit and relax in a clean house.

This is no different when it comes to the heart — it also gets messy from living. If I’m not continually cleaning it — repenting — I tend not to invite Jesus or anyone else in and I don’t really like it myself. There are times when repenting isn’t easy and I fight against it, but when it’s done I love the results! It’s wonderful to relax with a heart full of peace.

Prayer:

Lord, there is none like You in all the universe. Thank you for Your Word and it’s fresh meaning in my life. Help me each day to prepare the way for Jesus through repentance. When my pride steps in the way, humble me and open my eyes to my stubbornness.