Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 6:1-7:89 ESV, Mark 12:38-13:13 ESV, Psalm 49:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 10:27-28 ESV

Daily Verse: “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” (Mark 12:43 ESV)

PTOCHOS (4434):  “Pauper, denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also use in a qualified or relative sense.  As an adjective, “one who crouches and cowers.”[I]

Spiritually rich.

Material possessions’ main problem, they don’t last.  Just like fall fades to winter, our stuff will no longer exist.  Money becomes many people’s gods, but within seconds, it can disappear.  Jesus, watching the poor woman put all she had in the offering plate, knew she understood this vital principle.

Enron Corporation declared bankruptcy on Dec. 2, 2001.  One of the largest companies in the United States at the time, overnight, its stock went from $90 a share to mere pennies.[i]  Tens of thousands of people lost their pension and investment accounts.  In the blink of an eye, their life savings disappeared.

Invest eternally.

Nothing on earth can take away the gift of eternal life God offers.  One day, our life on earth will end, beginning the next chapter, eternity.  Nothing we do can stop death from knocking at our door.  But we can prepare for the transition by investing in heaven.

When the poor widow placed her money in the offering, she invested in heaven. 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20 ESV)

The widow placed her treasures in God’s hands, trusting His provision for her.  Enron’s shareholders quickly learned the reliability of putting faith in money.  One debilitating accident could bankrupt anyone of us, but nothing can break God.  Trusting Him with our finances will lead to eternal rewards.

---

[i] https://www.investopedia.com/updates/enron-scandal-summary/

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 218) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31 ESV, Mark 12:18-37 ESV, Psalm 48:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 10:26 ESV

Daily Verse: “And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33 ESV)

SUNESIS (4907): “A mental putting together, i.e., intelligence or the intellect. Suggests quickness of apprehension, the penetrating consideration which precedes action. To set together, to understand denotes the understanding of the mind or intelligence.” [I]

Understand completely.

Jesus, answering the scribes, summarizes all the commandments into one: love God and others.  Accomplishing the task requires an understanding of the mission.  If we don’t understand who and why we’re loving, we can’t fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

God loved first; He created us because of His affection for us.  When you begin to understand God’s unconditional love towards you, mutual affection develops.  Becoming transparent with God about your misdeeds then receiving His grace and mercy will change your life.  Experiencing transformation because of your connection with the Creator will make you want to share the gift with others.

Share the love.

Our world needs love more than ever.  People have lost sight of God, living to satisfy fleshly desires.  But eventually, we all learn chasing our wants leaves us empty and alone.  But when we give our lives to Christ, He frees us from worldly bonds, filling us with His Spirit.  As we grasp the depth of God’s love for us, we begin to understand Jesus’ command better.

Loving God first gives us the desire to share His affection with others. Jesus, leading by example, loved everyone He met.  Never do you see Jesus pushing Himself onto others.  No, Jesus understood the other person’s perspective.  Like the woman at the well, Jesus meets people amid their sin, forgiving them and setting them free of it.

Seek to understand God’s love for you better today.  Embrace the grace and mercy Jesus offers.  Understanding God’s love for you will help you love others.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 241) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 2:1-3:51 ESV, Mark 11:27-12:17 ESV, Psalm 47:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 10:24-25 ESV

Daily Verse: “But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” (Mark 11:32 ESV)

LAOS (2992): “A people (in general; thus, differing from 1218, which denotes one’s own populace). Laos is used of “the people at large,” especially of people assembled.”[I]

Opinions matter.

Leaders know large groups of people aligned in thought make a difference.  Fear of the crowd’s reaction made the religious leaders think twice before answering Jesus’ question about John’s baptism.  If they lost the people’s support, the chief priests, scribes, and elders would lose their rule.  Ultimately, they didn’t want to lose the power they now had if they answered Jesus incorrectly. 

The crowd witnessing the conversation held power over the religious leaders but didn’t realize it.  Every person’s opinion mattered, all seeking truth with the information they had.  The reason God’s word still stands amid chaos; because truth stands the test of time; lies don’t.

Share truth.

Groups form opinions because people share their thoughts.  Conversations between individuals seek the truth together, finding what happens and what doesn’t.  The process for the facts to reveal themselves does take time.  But if we continue to share the truth of the gospel, eventually, everyone will hear it.

Jesus’ teachings upset the religious leaders because they negated their teachings.  Acceptance into heaven doesn’t come from the law; Jesus opens that door.  Today’s world needs more Jesus, the one in the gospels, who loved all and died for all. 

Become a people of love today.  Whether by word or action, share the truth of God’s affection with all you meet.  God loves everyone, even the people we deem unlovable.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 149) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54 ESV, Mark 11:1-26 ESV, Psalm 46:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 10:23 ESV

Daily Verse: “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it.” (Mark 11:2 ESV)

KOME (2968): “From a hamlet (as if laid down).  A hamlet is a few small houses in the country.  A village is a larger group of houses in the country, loosely organized, and without walls.”[I]

Village’s trust.

When Jesus sent the disciples into the village to get the colt for His entrance on Palm Sunday, the villagers trusted them.  Once the inhabitants knew Jesus needed the donkey, they let the disciples go.  Whoever owned the beast didn’t object to Jesus’ use of it, nor his neighbors allowing the disciples to take it, knowing without a doubt, the colt would return.

Living in a village for the first twelve years of my life counts as one of God’s greatest blessings to me.  Small communities have deep roots that help survive the storms of life.  Even though my family moved over forty years ago, I still have strong relationships with the people of Tidal.

Because everyone knows everyone, villages operate with a high level of accountability.  Knowing each other’s business leads to a higher degree of trust.  People look out for each other, helping others avoid the potholes of life. 

Develop a village.

Everyone needs a village.  People in your life who love you unconditionally, cheering for you.  When tough times hit, they surround you, picking you up off the floor, helping you find your footing again.  Even when you don’t want to hear it, villagers tell the truth.  They allow you to become the person God intended, one day at a time.

God gave me a village the day I entered the world.  Now I live in the city, far from the hills I ran barefoot as a child.  But I still have a village because of the relationships I develop.  The people I surround myself with walk through life with me. My village calls me out on my crap, helps me overcome mountains, and loves me no matter what.  Each day, we help each other with whatever God sends our way.

Begin today to develop your village.  Surround yourself with people who will help you become the best version of yourself possible. God’s creation in your full glory!

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 148) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 25:47-27:13 ESV, Mark 10:32-52 ESV, Psalm 45:1-17 ESV, Proverbs 10:22 ESV

Daily Verse: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)

LUTRON (3083): “Something to loosen with, i.e., a redemption price.  In the NT, it occurs in MT. 20:26 and Mk 10:45, where it is used of Christ’s gift of Himself as “a ransom for many.’ Christ paid the ransom to God, to satisfy violated holiness and righteousness.  He did not pay the ransom to Satan or to some impersonal power such as death, or evil.  That Christ gave up His life in expiatory sacrifice under God’s judgment upon sin and thus provided a “ransom” whereby those who receive Him on this ground obtain deliverance from the penalty due to sin, is what Scripture teaches.  Christ died for all men, yet it is actually for those only who accept God’s conditions and who are described in the Gospel statements as “the many.”[i]

Ransom for many.

Jesus’ lack of selfishness puts us all to shame.  Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus served all He met.  In His final moments on earth, Jesus ransomed himself for many, paying the price we neither want to pay nor can.  However, if we don’t accept the gift Jesus offers, we can’t receive the prize.

Rejecting Jesus means missing the ransom.  When people choose to follow a different path than God’s, they don’t receive the gift.  Not only does Jesus’ actions on the cross give us eternal life, but He also gives us peace that surpasses all understanding and love that never ends now.

Accept the ransom.

 “Lay it down at the foot of the cross and leave it there.” I texted a friend struggling with anger towards God over a life situation.  Focusing on the offense only ignited the flame further inside of her.  If we don’t find ways to release the negative emotions, they will consume us.  Jesus offers a solution; give it to Him.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Jesus ransomed Himself not only so we could enjoy eternal life but also whole life now.  Placing your trust in the Savior means gaining access to His peace.  Accept the ransom Jesus offers.  Embrace Him completely, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you from within your heart.  Become transformed as you live fully in Jesus’s gift.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 153-4) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 24:1-25:46 ESV, Mark 10:13-31 ESV, Psalm 44:9-26 ESV, Proverbs 10:20-21 ESV

Daily Verse: “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14 ESV)

BASILEIA (932): “Sovereignty, royal power, dominion.  Denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules.  The kingdom of God is the sphere in which, at any given time, his rule is acknowledged.”[i]

God’s kingdom exists.

Children receive gifts quickly because of their dependence on the giver. Kids depend on their parents to provide the necessities of life without even thinking about it.  God wants us to rely on Him the same way.  Just like children trust their parent’s love for them, we’re to trust God loves us even more.  Childlike dependence leads to God’s kingdom.

Following Jesus, placing your faith in God’s son brings you into the kingdom.  God’s domain, the family ties that bind for eternity, become your identity. Not only will you experience peace on earth and joy in the world, but childlike faith will transform your life.  You can receive God’s grace and mercy as eagerly as a child accepting a gift.  God wants you to have childlike faith.

Follow Jesus.

Trusting and getting to know Jesus by reading the stories written in the world’s first book will change you.  Applying the teachings of Jesus to your relationships will cause them to flourish in ways you can’t imagine.  Life change occurs when we follow God’s word.

God’s grace invites you into His kingdom. Love reigns where the Creator lives; the affection remains the same, whether this life or the next one.  God’s passion for you never ends.  He loves you unconditionally, now and forever.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 51-2) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 22:17-23:44 ESV, Mark 9:30-10:12 ESV, Psalm 44:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 10:19 ESV

Daily Verse: “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 ESV)

EREMOS (2048): “Farthest, final, last, utmost, extreme, is used of place, of rank, of time, relating either to persons or things.”[i]

Go last.

The disciples wanted to know who among them Jesus considers greatest; Jesus’s response, the one who goes last. We must consider ourselves servants to all.  Jesus set the example. His death on the cross served everyone, once and for all.   

For some, serving others comes naturally.  When I think of my friends with kids and grandkids, they quickly put their children’s needs before their own.  Never having children, I’ve learned through marriage to put my husband’s needs before mine. Each person we meet gives us the opportunity to serve.

Serve everyone.

Whoever God places before you today, think of them as an opportunity to serve.  Find ways to help those in your life.  Bring coffee for a workmate.  Text encouragement to a friend facing a difficult situation.  Put an encouraging note in your spouse’s and kid’s lunches.  Find ways to go last.

Riding bike over the weekend, I passed a family of five.  Dad led the way; the oldest to youngest kids followed; mom brought up the rear.  The family traveled together in peace, a beautiful picture of life.  Someone always goes last, but it doesn’t mean it’s the worst place.  Only from her rearview could mom see all the people she loved at once.

Listen to the Savior.  Become comfortable in last place, serve others for the King.  As you do, you’ll find yourself in the best seat, watching those you love flourish.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 103) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 20:22-22:16 ESV, Mark 9:1-29 ESV, Psalm 43:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 10:18 ESV

Daily Verse: “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them” (Mark 9:2 ESV)

OROS (3735): “To rise or rear, a mountain as lifting itself above the plain.”[I]

Life involves mountains.

Often, when faced with immovable mountains, we complain.  But, we can’t experience mountaintop moments without first climbing the hill.  Jesus leads the disciples up the mountain to witness the transfiguration; Jesus meets with Elijah and Moses in brilliant light.  Peter, James, and John had a mountaintop moment like no other.

God leads us up mountains.  Climbing changes our perspective, giving us an aerial view of the valley.  Rising out of the pits of life requires effort on our part.  We must put one foot in front of the other to climb.  Eventually, we’ll reach the top of our mountain, and when we do, we’ll experience our mountain top moment.

Treasure the moment.

Walking back down the mountain with Jesus, the disciples couldn’t stop talking and asking questions. When they reach the bottom, they find the crowd arguing because the disciples couldn’t rid a boy of his demon, the moment of transfiguration over as Jesus immediately goes back to work.

Mountaintop moments don’t last long.  We must relish the experience when it happens.  Life waits at the bottom of the mountain.  Family pressures, work relationships, pushing and pulling us in different directions.  The peace we find at the top of the hill attacked quickly.

Treasure the mountaintop moments of life.  Brand the memories into your spirit.  When you find yourself in the valley, let the memories inspire you to do the climb once again.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 182) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 19:1-20:21 ESV, Mark 8:11-38 ESV, Psalm 42:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 10:17 ESV

Daily Verse: “The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.” (Mark 8:11 ESV)

PHARISAIOS (5330): “Signifies to separate, owing to a different manner of life from that of the general public.  The Pharisees and Sadducees appear as distinct parties in the latter half of the 2^nd cent. B.C.  The Hasidaens, a transcription of the Hebrew chasidim, i.e., “pious ones,” were a society of men zealous for religion, who acted under the guidance of scribes.  The strictly legal party among the Jews, and were ultimately the more popoulare and influential party.[i]

Pious ones.

Pharisees separated themselves from others with their purity.  Because the religious leaders studied and learned the Jewish laws, Pharisees considered themselves above the average man.  Since they enforced the law, the Pharisees placed themselves above the law.  Then Jesus came along and turned everything upside down. 

Jesus understood, even if He performed a sign for the Pharisees, they wouldn’t believe it.  Miracles don’t soften hearts; they measure them.  The Pharisees non-belief made them blind to Jesus’ power.  Moses performed miraculous events for Pharoah, but they didn’t soften the ruler’s heart, not until God softened it.

Pray for soft hearts.

The Pharisee’s hearts became hardened because they were obsessed with the law.  Ruling over people gave them a god complex.  Jesus pointed them to the one true God,  threatening their delicate balance.

In today’s world, hearts become hardened unintentionally.  Loss of loved ones, divorce, layoffs, and financial struggles cause pain.  God seems distant and uninterested in your sufferings.  Clinging to God, keeping your heart soft towards Him, requires prayer.

“Keep my heart soft. Soften theirs,” my go-to prayer when I start feeling Pharisitcal. As humans, we all judge, sometimes like a Pharisee.  Becoming aware of our shortcomings helps us deal realistically with life.  Pray for soft hearts.  Change the world one prayer at a time.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 262) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 16:29-18:30 ESV, Mark 7:24-8:10 ESV, Psalm 41:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 10:15-16 ESV

Daily Verse: “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37 ESV)

EKPLESSO (1605): “Signifies ‘to be exceedingly struck in mind, to be astonished.  Prop. To be struck with terror of a sudden and startling alarm; but like our “astonish” in popular use, often employed on comparatively slight occasions.”[I]

Startling moment.

Watching a miracle unfold before your eyes as the disciples witnessed would lead to astonishment.  Jesus opened the eyes of the blind and unplugged deaf ears, astonishing His followers.  How wondrous the world must have seemed to the deaf man when his ears heard sounds for the first time.  Birds tweeting, people talking, wind whistling, a plethora of noise erupts into his silent world.  Astonishing, to say the least.

When God reveals a truth to us, we experience a spiritual awakening.  God helps me become more self-aware as I follow Him.  Diving into His word makes me more sensitive to my sin.  When I receive correction from above, typically through His word, I have an “ah-ha” moment.  Something makes sense to me that didn’t before, God revealing lies I’ve believed.

Experience astonishment.

Allowing God to search your heart will astonish you.   As God brings things you can’t see to light, you will experience an “ah-ha” moment, understanding something in your life.  If you want God to open your eyes to things you can’t see, pray the following scripture:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

Ask Jesus to open your eyes and ears.  Experience astonishment as you become more self-aware.  Let God’s truth reveal the lies you can’t see as He leads you on the everlasting way.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.82) Thomas Nelson