Monday, March 16
Mark 7:24-37 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. (v.36)
In choosing friends or in deciding how much I want to share when talking with friends, I think about whether they will keep confidentiality. When I am told something, I always process the thought, “Is this information my information to share or is this something that is not meant to be shared.” Finding friends that will not openly share everything you tell them is not easy. Even the disciples found it difficult not to discuss what Jesus was doing. He wanted to avoid the scrutiny of followers that wanted to trap him for what he was preaching.
One of the greatest gifts that we can provide a friend is to be a good listener and to keep confidentiality about the discussions. It is always tempting to be the one that has the latest information but keep asking yourself whether this is your information to spread. Normally it is not. Be a good friend and don’t share information that is not intended to be shared.
Genesis 49:1-28; Psalm 89:1-18; 1 Corinthians 10:14—11:1
Tuesday, March 17
Psalm 100 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (v.4)
During times of struggle, I often lament about not getting speedy answers to my prayer requests. Patience does build strength of faith, but I find that discipline difficult. It is also hard for me to offer praise in a time of need. I tend to focus on what I need or don’t have as compared to all of the blessings already in my possession.
Perspective might be the anecdote for my concerns. In times of need or stress, let’s try to give thanks for what we already have and find a way to enter his gates with thanksgiving rather than with a longer list of requests.
Genesis 49:29—50:14; Psalms 97, 99; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Mark 8:1-10
Wednesday, March 18
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. (v.4)
The Holy Spirit comes to us at the time of our acceptance of Christ as our savior. He becomes an inner voice helping us to navigate our relationship. Sometimes forgotten is the conveyance of individual gifts. We become unique with these gifts and need to become aware of what has been given to us. Everyone does not receive the same gifts thus it becomes relevant and important to discern our individual gifts. Scripture tells us to carry our own burdens and that we are responsible to use what has been given. I have found joy in becoming aware of my own gifts and have found satisfaction in using them. I encourage you to identify your own gifts and find ways to put them to good use. You will find comfort and joy in doing so.
Genesis 50:15-26; Psalms 101, 109; Mark 8:11-26
Thursday, March 19
Exodus 1:6-22 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the King of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. (v.17)
When confronted with difficult decisions, how quickly might we lose perspective of what is right and what might not be pleasing to God. Sometimes we are just saving face or don’t want to be criticized by our friends with our words or actions. It reminds me of the saying, “Easy to say but tough to do.” As we think through our actions let us reflect on what Jesus would have us do. The reward of doing what is pleasing to him is far greater than any other form of acceptance. Join me in becoming more grounded in biblical perspective and to acquiring the discipline to make those beliefs a daily part of every decision we make.
Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Mark 8:27—9:1
Friday, March 20
Psalm 102 Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. (vv.1-2)
When I read these verses, I am reminded of my prayers and my thought that He is not listening. Is the Lord too busy or did my request not get through? While I have learned to be more patient, I still prefer quick answers. In this psalm the writer seems to be in a similar position. When answers finally become apparent, I realize that some of the answers are better than I could have dreamed or are quite different than what I had expected. Sometimes the Lord just needs the time to move the pieces. And in the right time he just might provide a better or different answer.
Exodus 2:1-22; 1 Corinthians 12:27—13:3; Mark 9:2-13
Saturday, March 21
Mark 9:14-29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (v.29)
Well, I have tried everything else so maybe I will pray. Or as one of my teachers used to say, “Pray last, get nowhere fast.” I find it interesting in this verse that Jesus has indicated the only way to rid the demon was through prayer. It reminds me of this significant form or way of communicating with our savior. I am so often ready to move into action in anticipation that the outcome is totally dependent on my actions. While we are not called to just sit without action we should not be about our work without committing our thoughts in prayer. I find better resolution with the balance of prayer and individual action. And, as indicated in this verse, sometimes prayer alone could be the right step.
Exodus 2:23—3:15; Psalms 107:33-43, 108; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Sunday, March 22
Romans 12:1-21 Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (v.2 RSV)
A Christian counselor friend of mine says she first asks her patients about the condition of their hearts, not their minds, heads, brains, or emotions. The heart, she says, drives the brain, muscles, and bones. Quiet the heart and you quiet the patient, setting the stage for spiritual healing.
Many years ago, when I attended my first prayer conference, a friend said he was “glad I had joined the ‘renewal’ movement.” I was shocked by this. I had not come for “renewal” nor did I think I needed it. If that was the agenda of the conference, I would have have stayed home.
Over time, I began to realize that the essence of prayer is the renewal of your heart, mind, soul, and body. As the power of the Holy Spirit keeps washing the waves of eternity on the shores of our hearts and souls, our minds become “renewed.” This is the only way God can activate that divine breath, wind, and spirit He installed in each of us at birth. It is the only way our minds can be renewed to become faithful, obedient, living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
Exodus 3:16—4:12; Psalm 118; John 8:46-59
Monday, March 23
Mark 9:30-41 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (v.37)
My wife and I love to have our 2 1/2-year-old grandson spend a weekend with us. We always enjoy taking him to church. “It’s fun,” he says. He loves the hymns and processions. Our happiest moment is when we take communion. He stands on the altar cushion, between us, wide-eyed and dazzled, with our arms surrounding him as our priest blesses him.
Recently, as the three of us knelt at the altar rail, I had a feeling of not wanting to leave. I had a sense the three of us were just where God wanted us to be. Then, I realized I had to get up and go back into the real world. God had entered our souls and bodies. We were blessed and energized as a family, and we now were ready to re-enter the world.
The simple, innocent posture of amazement and expectation that our little boy assumed at the altar was a perfect picture of “receiving one child in my name.” If all grown-ups could experience the joy and amazement that we saw in our grandson at the altar, we would return to the world employing only plowshares, no swords.
Exodus 4:10-31; Psalm 31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-19
Tuesday, March 24
Psalm 122 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! (v.6a)
Phrases from the psalms are so deeply imbedded in our liturgical worship that most of us don’t realize how much a part of our daily lives they can become. As our knowledge and personal experience with the psalms grows, they become the woven fabric of our personal understanding of who God is.
Psalm 122:6 became locked into my spiritual fabric one cold November Sunday, while attending worship at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. As the crowd swelled, I stepped backwards and tripped over a little sign reading “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.” I liked the idea and did it. Only later did I learn it was Psalm 122:6. I will never forget it.
“My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” is part of Psalm 121. I was thrilled when Astronaut Jim Irwin read it from the moon in 1971. He returned to earth and spent the next 20 years telling thousands of people how he felt God’s presence on the moon as he stood where no man had ever stood since creation.
Jim used our house as his Connecticut office, and we got to know him well and traveled with him. It is impossible for me to look at the moon and not recall Psalm 121. It’s hard to improve on knowing a man who has visited another planet and found God.
Exodus 5:1—6:1; Psalms 120, 121, 123; 1 Corinthians 14:20-40; Mark 9:42-50