In Mark 2, we read of the story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Here is Christopher Montelongo performing Mark 2 at Bethel Seminary, San Diego, California 2008
In Romans 15:20-21 Paul states,
…thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
Vernacular Video Mission International (VVMI) is reaching out to those who have never been told of Jesus, who have never seen and have never heard. VVMI partners with ethnic Christians around the globe, who proclaim the Gospel through video in their heart language. They make Gospel videos and hike into remote areas, not where Christ has already been named, to SHOW Jesus to people who have never seen or heard! Powerful and effective…Smart Missions!
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
— 2 Chronicles 20:5
In Jehoshaphat’s prayer, he appeals to the character and name of God. He KNOWS God is sovereign (he rules) and that He is omnipotent (he is all-powerful and all-mighty). We just read in 2 Chronices 16 that the “eyes of the Lord run to and fro…” and here in today’s passage we are encouraged to keep OUR eyes on Him. Indeed, whatever situation we face, we can turn our eyes to Him, look to Him and His great power, sovereignty, grace and steadfast love. TRUST Him no matter what comes your way! And be encouraged by also reading Psalm 145 today, which praises our great and awesome God!
Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church Seattle, talks about Jesus’ sense of humor. Of particular interest to our read-through-the Bible is his reference to Jesus’ comments in Matthew 19 about fitting a camel through the eye of a needle. (you can see that part of this clip at about 8:30) Enjoy! Laugh!
1 Chronicles 17:16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, [1] O Lord God! 18 And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant.19 For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.20 There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel, the one [2] nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God.
Who am I? The question David asked, has been asked many times by many others, including “Casting Crowns.” Here is a very unique version of their song, “Who am I?” Here are the lyrics to the first verse:
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth, Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star, Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Bridge:
Not because of who I am, But because of what You’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done, But because of who You are.
Jesus’ Sense of Humor
Posted: June 23, 2012 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, June, LukeTags: Bible, Bible daily, Bible reading, Bible study, daily Bible, God's humor, Jesus' sense of humor, Luke, Mark Driscoll, Scripture, video, Was Jesus Funny?
In the passage for today, Luke 6:37-42, we read Jesus’ statements on judging others, including
Here is Mark Driscoll speaking about humor in the Bible, and he comments on verses 41 & 42 (the log and the speck…the plank and the toothpick) starting at about 7:30 in the video.