March 10, 2011

Today you should read: Mark 1:1-20

Why was I created?

If you’re like me, you have asked this question a million times over the span of your life. Often, if I am honest, that question is not one alluding to a higher purpose but rather one of selfish intent. I want to be someone special; I want to make my mark on this world and leave a legacy. Without the right perspective on this question, most of us will destroy our lives looking for the answer.

In today’s reading, we see someone who had a purpose. John the Baptist was the guy who paved the way for Jesus’ ministry; his purpose was known before he was even born (Mark 1:2, which references Isaiah 40:3). When I read about John the Baptist, I want to be like him. He was wild, wore camel hair and ate locusts and honey. I mean, this guy was a man’s man! Not only that, but he had so many followers that he was a kind of rock star of his time.

John was touted by Christ as being the greatest man ever born (Matthew 11:11), not because of John’s accomplishments but because of his humility (Mark 1:7). John knew that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. In other words, John is saying, “I am just a man. My whole life’s purpose is to prepare the way for the Messiah and give glory to God”. It was never about him.

The truth is that none of us were created to bring glory to ourselves, so if we are looking to make our mark on this world for our own glory, we need to repent. We were created to worship and bring glory to God. With that said, some of us will be businessmen, teachers, doctors, lawyers, pastors, missionaries, etc. In whatever we do, our sole purpose is to follow and glorify God.

So, how do we respond? Our answer is found in Mark 16-18. When Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, He makes the call very simple: “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men”. Their response is one of obedience and humility: “They left their nets and followed him”. When you are called by Christ, your response should be to let go of everything and follow Him!

Unfortunately, we don’t always do this. Most of us would like to go back and “pick up our nets”, and some who are reading this have gone back to “the nets” rather than obey God immediately. For some of us, the Christian walk has become more about our own needs rather than following Christ with reckless abandon. There may even be some who are reading this that have never really left the boat. You may have slapped a fish symbol on it and put on a W.W.J.D. bracelet, but you’ve never actually made a decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Reflection:
• Where do you find your purpose? Glorifying God or glorifying yourself?
• Is God Lord of your life or are you?
• Is the legacy you’re leaving all about you or are you making the way for the next generation of believers?

Posted by: Chad Wiles

March 9, 2011

Today you should read: Genesis 49:1 – 50:24

God’s purpose: to bring life

Wow! What a ride it has been through the book of Genesis! But we are not done yet; these last two chapters (49 and 50) are absolutely staggering! There is so much to see here.

We start off by seeing the blessings of Jacob for his sons, blessings that would be carried on through their legacy. It is interesting to note that much of the future blessing of each son is seemingly based on his character up to that point; surely there are some life principles there!

Most of the author’s attention in this passage falls on Judah and Joseph. Judah is referred to as “the lion’s cub”, and this is fitting because the tribe of Judah would bring forth David, Solomon, and the One who is called the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah”. Can you guess who that is? It is our mighty Savior, Jesus Christ!
From there, we see the powerful legacy that Jacob left and what a godly leader he was! A huge gathering of followers accompanied his body as it is taken to be buried; he was greatly respected.

At the end of chapter 50, Joseph’s brothers doubt the genuineness of his forgiveness, but Joseph reassures them, and in verse 20, we read the famous statement regarding God’s sovereignty: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today”. This verse is what I want to highlight today.

Today’s “Walk-Away”:

Jacob’s sons’ previous actions—out of personal bitterness toward Joseph—had been used by God to save lives. This includes the life of the Israelites, the Egyptians and all the nations that came to Egypt to buy food during the famine. Maybe Joseph couldn’t see it at first, but through all the difficulties, God showed that his purpose for the nations is life, and that purpose would be affected through the descendants of Abraham.

What is our application here? Trust God. Romans 8:28 says “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.”

So here it is…
Whatever is going on in your life, whatever your situation is—even if it hurts, even it seems unfair, even if you don’t understand, even if it is scary—remember that God’s purpose is to bring life. He has good intentions for you: to bring life to you, to your family, to your friends. Someone once said, “If you can’t see God’s hand, trust God’s heart”. Know that His purpose in your situation is to bring life. The most wonderful example of this is the life He brought to the world through Jesus Christ.

Posted by: (Sam Cirrincione)

March 8, 2011

Today you should read: Genesis 48:1-22

The Israelites are now living prosperously in Egypt. Jacob is about to die and Joseph is called to come see him along with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. When they arrive, Jacob tells Joseph of God’s promise to him, his father, and his grandfather concerning the land of Canaan. How great it is to see someone in his old age, who never saw God’s promise fulfilled in his lifetime, still trust that it will come to pass. I pray that I will have that kind of faith and trust in God when I am older.

Jacob tells Joseph that he is claiming his two boys as his own sons and that he wants to bless them. Jacob sees the two boys and thanks God that not only did he get his son Joseph back, but he has now seen Joseph’s sons also. What a blessing it must be to see your children’s children, to see your lifetime of investment, prayer, and love spring forth a new life and begin all over again! I hope to leave a legacy through my children that I will be proud of and that honors God so that they too will pass it on to their children.

Joseph places the boys in front of Jacob with the older on the right and younger on the left so that the older will receive the blessing he is due. Jacob, however, does the ol’ switcharoo: he crosses his arms and gives the boys opposite blessings. How ironic this is to see Jacob do, himself being a younger son who stole the blessing of his older brother, Esau! After Jacob blesses the boys, he gives an extra portion of inheritance to Joseph from the land of Canaan.

So here are few take-aways:

– Leave a legacy to your children that honors God and will help them to raise their own children.
– Trust God even when it doesn’t seem like what is supposed to happen actually will. This is true faith.


Posted by Robbie Byrd

March 7, 2011

Today you should read: Genesis 47:1-31

Joseph is the real deal! His actions before others show his faith in God – consistently!

Joseph honored his father… v.7
“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise.” Ephesians 6:2

Joseph cared for his family… v.11-12
“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith.” Such people are worse than unbelievers.” 1 Timothy 5:8

Joseph worked hard for his employer… v.13-24
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23

May this be said of us – may others see Jesus in us in all we say and do. This reminds me of a poem that my mom used to quote to me while I was young…

The Greatest Test
Help me to walk so close to Thee, that those who know me best can see, I live as godly as I pray, and Christ is real from day to day.

I see some once a day, or year, to them I blameless might appear, ’tis easy to be kind and sweet, to people whom we seldom meet.

But in my home are those who see , too many times the worst of me. My hymns of praise were best unsung, if He does not control my tongue.

When I am vexed and sorely tried, and my impatience cannot hide, may no one stumble over me, because Thy love they failed to see.

But give me Lord, thru calm and strife, a gracious and unselfish life. Help me with those who know me best, for Jesus sake, to stand the test.
– Barbara Ryberg –

Posted by: Tim Parsons