Good Is Good

Good Is Good We may be inclined to feel cheated or threatened by someone who does “good” only once in a blue moon. If someone does good only sometimes, it does not mean he will not noticed or rewarded by God. Just as God notes all good things done, so we must too have eyes that see that “good is good” no matter how often or by whom. Mark 9:41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

Evil Has a Problem with Goodness

Evil Has a Problem with Goodness If someone whose daily deeds are evil, but today a deed is done imitating good, do not stop him or doubt God’s grace upon him. For some good comes at a young age for others it may take a life time. God never gives up on anyone, neither should we. Whoever is doing good is doing good for the masses. It may take time for some of us to realize that we have been touched by The Holy Spirit. Soon evil will recognize a follower of Jesus and look elsewhere for its next unsuspecting soul. Evil has a problem with goodness. Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us."

Being Last Is First and Foremost-A Servant is Reward Of All

Being Last Is First and Foremost-A Servant is Reward Of All How difficult it is for us to put ourselves last. We don’t want to receive the last piece of pie, be the last in line or the last to know the latest gossip. According to Jesus’ teaching being last is the greatest! When you offer yourself to a situation or your time to a relationship think not of yourself but in love and service to another. And when you think not of yourself it is easier to see the eyes of Christ in those you greet, associate with and help. Being last is first and foremost. Being a servant is reward of all. Tend to the least of them, for in this state of love, humility and selflessness you may see Christ, Who in reality is God Himself. Mark 9:33-37 Then Jesus and the disciples came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Only Through Prayer

Only Through Prayer There are many things we can do that might take seemingly little effort. There are others matter that are impossible with our own hands, minds and wills. Do what you can to help yourself and others. Pray for the things you cannot do and believe that with God all things are possible! Mark 9:14-29 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, 'What are you arguing about with them?' Someone from the crowd answered him, 'Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.' He answered them, 'You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.' And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you are able!-All things can be done for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!' After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'This kind can come out only through prayer.'

An Emancipated Heart

An Emancipated Heart Sometimes we are requested to keep something to ourselves. It is not necessarily for matters of privacy or ego. Sometimes the message is much greater than that. At a point on their journey, Jesus asked the disciples to not tell anyone about Him. Perhaps He thought that if people didn’t know about Him or have any preconceived ideas about who He was, that their state of mind would more open to what God has asked Him to teach. To be boundless in Godly thoughts, limitless in reverent prayer, uninhibited with The Holy Spirit inside you, allows your heart to be emancipated from the grip of man. Mark 8:27-30 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Gift Of The Present

Gift of the Present Why do we sometimes ask the same question twice? Why would we pray the same petitions night after night? Is it because we think another didn’t hear us properly the first time? Do we really think that God doesn’t hear or know of our needs and circumstances? Is it because we think another wasn’t focused on us? When you ask Jesus for something, believe that He will hear you the first time. Our answers may not come as we would desire, but answers do come. Our blessings sometimes come as big and bold as a firework show and as small and gentile as a touch of a hand on your back. Look with holy eyes at the events of your day and simplify your life so that you can see everything clearly. Ask once and then wait and love living today with expectancy and humility. Tomorrow may not come, but the gift of the present is already here for you to enjoy. Mark 8:22-26 They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ And the man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’

Paying It Forward

Paying It Forward We may be tempted to shun the unlikable. We may be afraid to go against our own family to stand up for one who cannot fight for himself. Imagine if Jesus ignored anything unsavory about you. The most lowly or sick of all humans will not be forgotten by Jesus. Use what he did for those who had diseases, those who were outcasts and those who were unwelcomed or wanted as an example of how you will treat others. Jesus always makes you a priority. The day you realize this wonderful gift, is the day you will pay it forward. Mark 7:24-30 From there Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go--the demon has left your daughter." So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Loving Acts of the Heart

Loving Acts of the Heart “You are all talk.” “Put your money where your mouth is.” Our response to those who put on a front with words may seem harsh.. Our self-serving words may cover up for a while our less than sincere intentions. Bare your heart so that it may speak sincerely to the people it cares about. Train your actions to reveal that others are at the center of your intentions. Adjust your attitude to reflect that which promotes people in need of help, comfort and prayers. Let us not try to move others with words, but rather by acts of the heart that communicate love at its best. Mark 7:1-8 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’

Accepting Gifts From God

Accepting Gifts From God When there is someone among us who stands out we may be inclined to reject him. Perhaps because he is not like us. We were all born with gifts. The gift of patience, artistry, tolerance, musicality, and forgiveness are just some. Spend your valuable time promoting, welcoming, sharing and loving all those who touch your life lest you hinder the many graces that were designed to lay a hand on your life through their labor, wisdom and presence. Accept with a humble heart those people whose presence and acts of love that are gifts to you from God. Mark 6:1-6 Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

Responding to the Grace of God

Responding to the Grace of God Sometimes we want to be where the action is. Our lives are not such that we should always be in the midst of attention, dissention or seeking praise. If someone with a genuine heart says you will do more being of service somewhere else - be joyful. If you heart moves you away from a place and toward another - be delighted. No matter the circumstances, The Holy Spirit will always touch your life. Will you be responding to the grace of God or to your own ego's needs? In your life be like an eager disciple ready and willing to follow directions of good intentions. Go where your spirit guides you and respond appropriately to your gut feelings and intuition. Be willing to look away from your own desires long enough to respond to help, comfort and love others. Where ever the Grace of God sends you, know that The Holy Spirit inside you will guide you. Mark 5:18-20 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, 'Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.