Posted on October 30, 2013
#26: A Robe of Flesh
“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.” (John 1:14a) Have you stopped to think how monumental that statement is?
Jesus took on a robe of flesh so we could see how God would live as a human. When we’re under pressure, He shows us how to have peace. When we’re dealing with difficult people, we can look to Jesus for ideas. When we want God to be pleased with us, Jesus’ example guides us. He expressed God for us in a way we’d be able to relate to and understand. (See week #1 of this series in the archives for more on that.)
Ultimately, He showed us God by loving us perfectly—shedding His perfection to take on our sin and then conquering sin and death so we could live in righteousness.
Welcome to Wednesdays in the Word, and our current study Knowing Jesus. With this post, you’ve now studied through the first quarter of Mark’s gospel, as we wrap up chapter four. I pray you’re seeing Jesus in a whole new way!
Read through Mark 4.
This chapter shows us several glimpses of Jesus in action, and gives us opportunities to learn from Him how to honor God. Read More
Posted on October 23, 2013
#25: Power Greater Than Our Storms
In her study Jesus the One and Only, Beth Moore wrote, “You and I really don’t have a clue what happens between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. If we did, it would freak us out.” I believe Beth is right. A strange comfort is that the twelve men who were closest to Jesus didn’t get it either—and when they caught glimpses of Jesus’ true power, they were terrified.
Today we finish Mark 4 with a look at one of Jesus’ most famous miracles.
Read Mark 4:35-41. Also look at Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25.
The sun was setting on another busy day of ministry. Jesus was tired, ready for a break from the crowds. He’d been teaching from a boat along the Sea of Galilee’s shore (4:1). The disciples got aboard and together they set out for the less populated east side of the sea. Jesus settled into the stern with a seat cushion under his head and fell into a deep sleep. Read More
Posted on October 9, 2013
#23: All About Results!
A contractor begins a construction project. What’s his goal? Large, neat stacks of building materials? Creative architectural drawings? No. He wants to see a building go up. Unless a useful structure results, the contractor’s plans are useless.
A teacher presents a lesson. What does she want? The fun of preparing it? A paycheck? No, she wants to see her students learn the lesson and put it to use. Unless her teaching impacts students, the effort she’s made is wasted.
A farmer plants a field. What’s he after? Exercise? Catching some rays? No! He wants a harvest—the larger, the better. Without a harvest, the work he’s done is worthless.
A contractor wants a building, a teacher wants an impact, and a farmer wants a harvest. All three are after results.
Welcome to Knowing Jesus, our study of Mark’s gospel. We want to see, through the example of Jesus, how God would want us to live life for His glory. Today, we’ll learn the purpose of Jesus’ teachings—and the results He wants. Read More
Posted on October 2, 2013
#22: A Bumper Crop of Righteousness
Gardening is not my gift. I don’t have a green thumb on either hand! My best attempt involved a pre-seeded mat from Walmart, that promised a foolproof 10 x 4′ flower garden. The instructions said to simply roll the mat out on a patch of dirt, and water it twice a day until your lush garden appeared. I got a few sad, scraggly daisies, with a couple of yellow mums to cheer them up!
Jesus taught about a different kind of gardening (one I like much better): sowing the seed of God’s truth in the soil of people’s hearts.
Read Mark 4:1-20. (You’ll find the same story in Matthew 13:1-23 and Luke 8:4-15.)
Jesus was once again beside the Sea of Galilee, a favorite spot. A huge crowd had gathered, forcing Jesus to teach from a boat at the water’s edge. The seashore may seem a strange setting for a parable about farming, but these listeners knew all about sower, seed, and soil. They could easily picture the scene Jesus described.
They had a harder time grasping the parable’s meaning, and their own place in it. Jesus urged them to pay attention, to listen. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” He said. This was not just a sweet down-home story; it was deep truth, available to anyone willing to seek it. When His followers came to Jesus later begging an explanation, they were given the teaching they hungered for. (He still rewards those who earnestly seek Him; Hebrews 11:6 says that’s the kind of faith that pleases Him!)
Let’s look at the three major elements in the parable of the sower.
Posted on September 25, 2013
#21: Choosing Right When Wrong Feels Better
Welcome to our study, Knowing Jesus! Last week, we completed Mark 3. (In the archives you’ll find any posts you missed.)
By the end of this study, we’ll have a pretty detailed picture of the life of Christ via the inspired pen of Mark—and we’ll have learned so much about how God-in-flesh lived the human journey! He did it flawlessly. The more we can imitate Him, the more we can please God.
We’ll also save ourselves a lot of heartache in the process. Because the truth is, sister, sin always brings heartache eventually. It may feel good in the beginning, but it’s always a trap that leads to no good.
Posted on September 18, 2013
#20: When Your Family Doesn’t Believe
Patti* became a Christian during her junior year of high school. Her mother was furious, believing Patti had been overtaken by a cult. When Patti clung to her new faith in spite of intense family pressure to abandon it, she was forced out of her home—left on her own at age 16.
Last week in a hospital waiting room, I overheard a woman offer to pray with her brother whose wife was in surgery fighting for her life. Her brother sniffed, “Pray if you want, but I don’t do that hocus-pocus.”
Do you have family members or friends who think you’re a fool for believing in Jesus? who believe you’ve bought into a hoax? You’ll relate to Jesus’ position in today’s study. Read More
Posted on September 15, 2013
Guest post from Jessica!
Hi everyone! Diane here to introduce Jessica, the creator and host of an exciting new website that is about to launch. I’m delighted to be a regular contributor at JOYful Home and Life, and join Jessica in inviting you to visit now and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! Now, here’s Jessica….
I’m so happy to invite everyone to visit our new website at www.joyfulhomeandlife.com. The website will have something for almost anyone. We have scheduled the launch date for 09/30/2013.
The website focuses on faith, home, and family. We plan to have many articles/entries on faith. There will also be many great entries for the home (including decoration ideas, recipes, and more). We’ve got a great team of writers who will be posting fresh content on a regular basis on these topics.
We encourage you to subscribe for email updates at the website so we can notify you via email of new content on our site. Please also visit, like, and share our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/joyfulhomeandlife. Your help spreading word, your prayers for our purpose, and your support are much appreciated!
Thanks! Jessica
Posted on September 12, 2013
How to Put Bitterness Behind You
A few months ago, our small community was shocked by news that a young man had brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend. He’d discovered she was planning to go out on a date that night, adding to his growing bitterness that she’d “betrayed” him. In twisted anger, he took her life.
You say, “I’ve been mad at people who hurt me, but I’d never do that!” My guess is, that young man would’ve said the same thing at one time—before hatred took over his heart.
Yesterday, we talked about the pain of betrayal—one of the most common causes of bitterness and hatred. Hatred is a progressive emotion. It starts small, sometimes as legitimate anger over betrayal or undeserved pain. But if unchecked, it quickly grows out of control. The Bible cautions, ” ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:27-27 NIV)
Notice we’re not told to not be angry. Anger is a normal emotion, and is even proper at times. Jesus was sinlessly angry. The issue is what we do with our anger. When we cling to it and feed it, we give it opportunity to grow and mutate. Instead, the Bible tells us to let it go by sunset. Then, satan is never allowed a foothold and bitter hatred can’t take root. Read More
Posted on September 11, 2013
#19: How to Handle Betrayal
Has a friend turned on you? exposed secrets you’d spoken in confidence? lied about you? Worse, has a spouse broken your trust? If so, you know the pain of betrayal. It hurts.
You’ve cried, “How could I have been so stupid? If I had it to do over again, I’d never . . . .” If you’d only known, you’d have avoided that relationship at all costs.
It’s interesting that Jesus chose Judas as one of the Twelve, knowing the betrayal to come. Jesus’ best effort would be poured into His disciples. He would love them, mentor them, and let them see Him at His most weary, vulnerable moments. He’d entrust them with knowledge of His schedule and His usual hangouts—all the while knowing Judas would use that information to send Him to the cross. Read More
