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Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 20:22-22:16; Mark 9:2-29; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 10:18.

Mark 9:28-29 (NIV)
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
[29] He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Some manuscripts read “prayer and fasting.”  This reading seems to make the most sense.  Wouldn’t the disciples have prayed in the original efforts to drive out this demon? Jesus seems to be indicating that there is a special outpouring of His presence and power that accompanies biblical fasting.  Some things will only happen in response to God’s people obediently practicing this spiritual discipline.  Is fasting a vital part of your relationship with Jesus?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 19:1-20:21; Mark 8:11-9:1; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 10:17.

Leviticus 19:17 (NIV)
” ‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

Way back in Genesis Cain asked the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  The answer is a resounding, “Yes.”  As the Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 12 and other passages, we are members of a Body and all the members belong to each other.  Therefore, we have a God-given responsibility to confront each other about sin.  To fail to do so is described as hate and the consequence is that we are just as guilty as the one actually committing the sin.  This is a hard teaching in our “It’s none of your business” culture.  May God give us the courage to be the Body.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 16:29-18:30; Mark 7:24-8:10; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 10:15-16.

Mark 8:5 (NIV)
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

Seven loaves by themselves is not very much.  But seven loaves surrendered to Jesus fed a multitude.  How many “loaves” do you have?  I have so little to offer to Jesus.  I am weak, unreliable, and sinful.  But Scripture tells me that when I give what I do have to Jesus, all things are possible.  The key is to surrender what I do have–all of it–to Him.  

Some families fish in the deeps of the ocean.  Others fly-fish in a cold mountain stream.  The Zauchas fish in a man-made fun fishing pond at a resort using pieces of hot dogs as bait.

We didn’t catch any fish, but did catch this beautiful mermaid.  Apparently, she likes hot dogs.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 15:1-16:28; Mark 7:1-23; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 10:13-14.

Leviticus 15:31 (NIV)
” ‘You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.’ ”

What makes you unclean in the eyes of God?  Are you actively separating yourself from what makes you unclean?  How seriously do you take God’s holiness and His mandate that His children be holy?  Are you running hard after holiness and away from sin?  May God give us a passion for His holiness.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12.

Psalm 40:9-10 (NIV)
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
[10] I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

If we really understood the miracle of our salvation, how much would we be talking about it?  If we really believed God is who He says He is and Has done what He said He’d do, how could we stay silent?  Do we get it?  Do our lips overflow with thanksgiving and praise for all to hear?  Or do we conceal God’s love and truth?  Unseal my lips, O Lord.  Unseal the lips of your Church.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 10:10.

Mark 6:4-6 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

That phrase “could not” screams at me.  Jesus “could not”?  God is omnipotent.  All things are possible with Him.  Yet, He has chosen to work in cooperation with our faith.  At Nazareth,there was a lack of faith and so there was a lack of the manifestation of God’s power.  Could the same be said of my life?  Of my church?  Oh, that God would give us a greater faith and a greater experience of His power.

Some families surf on vacation.  Others ride motorcycles in the desert.  Some ski in the mountains.

The Zauchas play shuffleboard.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 11:1-12:8; Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 10:8-9.

Mark 5:35-42 (NIV)
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?”
[36] Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
[37] He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. [38] When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. [39] He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” [40] But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. [41] He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

I have a twelve year old daughter, so this one hits close to home.  I can imagine the desperation this man felt over his little girl.  As he seeks Jesus, his daughter dies.  But with Jesus, death is never the end of the story.  Jesus tells him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”  These two actions are diametrically opposed to each other.  You can’t be afraid and believe at the same time.  You will do one or the other.  Even in the face of death, we are called to believe that God has a greater purpose that is for our good and His glory.  Will we believe?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7.

Mark 4:27 (NIV)
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

The longer I am in ministry, the less I understand it.  Why is it that some churches flourish and others do not?  Why is it that some leaders have “success” and others do not?  That question becomes even more difficult when we consider those leaders of questionable character who attain this success.  The one thing I do know is that my job is to be faithful in preaching  the Word, praying, and loving people.  The results are God’s business.

Mark 4:40 (NIV)
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

I have been just like those disciples–fearing and doubting.  The good news is that I am growing–fearing less and trusting more.  Thank you, God.