The Character of Jesus - VALUES SOLITUDE

Read Mark 6:30-32.

"And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves." (v. 32)

Jesus saw that after so much ministry, He and the disciples needed some time away from the crowds. They needed time to eat and just to reflect on how God was using them.
I must set aside times for my family and me to come away from it all and seek God together. I need to be the catalyst for that.

(10/12/98)

The Character of John the Baptist - BOLDNESS

Read Mark 6:14-29.

"For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.'" (v. 18)

John was a bold man who spoke against sin wherever he found it. Truly a prophet, he called a spade a spade and, unlike Herod, was not concerned with what others thought (see v. 26).
I need to have such a desire for holiness in my life and in the world so that I can speak clearly about sin. I must risk losing friends to speak out against sin and for righteousness.

(10/11/98)

The Character of Jesus - MULTIPLICATION

Read Mark 6:7-13.

"And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs; and He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits." (v. 7)

Jesus was training the twelve to do what He'd been doing. He'd been healing the sick and casting out demons; now they were doing it too. He was teaching them what He was already doing.
I must be about the work of multiplication--teaching others to do what I do. This means I need to be a good example too!

(10/10/98)

The Character of Jesus - DEDICATED

Read Mark 6:1-6.

"And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them." (v. 5)

Jesus, in His own hometown, was trying to minister in an atmosphere of "familiar doubt." they saw Him grow up; how could He now do these things? Even though He couldn't do large miracles--He still healed several people. Don't you think those that He healed were happy!
I need to be dedicated to my God-given tasks even if others disapprove. No matter what the numbers, may I keep giving life to "a few sick people."

(10/7/98)

The Character of Jesus - DISCERNMENT

Read Mark 5:25-34.

"And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my garments?'" (v. 30)

Jesus was so in tune with the Father that He knew when God had used Him to minister to someone. He literally felt the power come out of Him.
I may not be able to "feel" the power of God come from my body, but I should be able to tell when God is using me. I need to be discerning and looking for opportunities to minister.

(10/5/98)

The Character of Jesus - CONFIDENT IN GOD

Read Mark 5:21-24, 35-43.

"But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, 'Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.'" (v. 36)

Jesus knew God wanted Him to heal this little girl. It was His God-given task--His ministry. Others doubted that it could be done, but Jesus had confidence that God's power would prevail.
Once I know God's plans, I must be confident that He will finish what He's started. Even when others doubt the power of God, I must be faithful to the task He's given me.

(10/4/98)

The Character of Jesus - COURAGEOUS

Read Mark 5:1-20.

"For He had been saying to Him, 'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!' And He was asking Him, 'What is your name?' And he said to him, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.'" (vv. 8-9)

Jesus was not afraid, but rather, courageous in the face of these demons. He knew of His authority and the victory of God over Satan.
I must be courageous in the face of Satan. I know in my head that Satan is a defeated foe, but I must act in that way too. You are my Lord and my God!

(10/3/98)

The Character of Jesus - CHALLENGING SPIRITUALLY

Read Mark 4:35-41.

"And He said to them, 'Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?'" (v. 40)

Jesus, through an ordinary storm (though calmed by a miracle), pointed His disciples toward spiritual things. All His lessons, if written down, could not be contained in this world (John 21:25), but He was always directing His disciples to see that their spiritual lives greatly affected their everyday lives.
I need to constantly point to God and His hand at work in the world--challenging others spiritually (including my children). Are people closer or farther away from God after an encounter with me--or are they unaffected!

(10/2/98)

The Character of Jesus - SPIRITUALLY SELECTIVE

Read Mark 4:33-34.

"...but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples." (v. 34b)

Jesus was concerned with preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the masses. But more than that, He wanted to make sure that His disciples got the point. They were the ones who would carry on the message after He was gone.
I need to be spiritually discerning as to who my "disciples" might be. Who can I spend that extra time with to see the kingdom expanded? Give me wisdom, Lord.

(9/28/98)

The Character of Christ - HUMILITY

Read Mark 4:30-32.

"It is like a mustard seed, which...though it is smaller than all the seeds,...when it is sown grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches..." (vv. 31-32)

Jesus was not afraid to begin the work for the kingdom of God in a small way. Even though He poured most of His life into 12 lowly peasants, Christianity has spread around the world.
I must continue to look at the kingdom of God and do my part to see that the world knows. Even if my part is very small.

(9/27/98)

The Character of Christ - PERSISTENT

Read Mark 4:26-29.

"But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (v. 29)

Jesus knew how much to teach and when to lay back and let the Holy Spirit convict. When it was time to act, speak, or confront, He didn't hesitate.
I am good at beginning conversations and joining in conversations about Christ. I need to be willing to "close the deal;" to ask the person if they will indeed commit their lives to Christ. Give me the boldness I need Lord.

(9/26/98)

The Character of Christ - CONSISTENT

Read Mark 4:21-25.

"And He was saying to them, 'Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you, and more shall be given you besides.'" (v. 24)

Jesus taught about your listening to things that meet your standard. He implies that you should have a standard and live according to it.
I need to be consistent with what I say and do. They need to match. I need to think through those things that need to have standards.

(9/25/98)

The Character of Christ - UNDISCOURAGED

Read Mark 4:13-20.

"The sower sows the word." (v. 14)

Jesus knew that as He gave out the word of God, some would respond, and some would not. He was not discouraged that some of His efforts would never bear fruit. He continued acting obediently.
I need to remember that not all my efforts will be fruitful because I cannot control the hearts of other people. And I am called to sow the word out of obedience. May I be obedient.

(9/24/98)

The Character of Christ - AVAILABLE

Read Mark 4:10-12.

"And as soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables." (v. 10)

Jesus, even with His busy schedule, took time to answer the questions of His followers. Jesus gave up His "down time" for the sake of those He held dear.
I need to not see my "down time" as my own. My children and my wife need me to pay attention to them. Because there are so many of them, it takes a lot of time--So What! They are more important than homework, bills, or computer games!

(9/23/98)

The Character of Christ - TEACHER

"And He was teaching them many things in parables,..." (v. 2a)

Jesus was more than a good teacher, but...He was a good teacher. He spoke using many stories and illustrations to make the gospel understood (at least or those who were supposed to understand it).
I want to be that kind of teacher. I want to make the gospel understood. Stories, meaningful illustrations, cultural idioms and other connections can show the gospel as alive as it is. Help me to never bore or confuse people about the gospel.

(9/20/98)

The Character of Christ - DEVOTION TO RELATIONSHIPS

Read Mark 3:31-35.

"And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, 'Behold, my mother and brothers!'" (v. 34)

Jesus views all those who are obedient to God as dear as His mother, brother, or sister. He said that those who follow Him should "hate" their mothers and fathers compared to their love for Him. They must forsake these people and follow Him whole-heartedly. But in exchange, He calls them His brothers and sisters. He was committed to draw as close as possible to those around Him.
I want to spend time in commitment to the relationships around me. Forsake the stuff of accomplishments--commit to people.

(9/19/05)

The Character of Christ - SPEAKS THE TRUTH FORCEFULLY

Read Mark 3:20-30.

"...but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." (v. 29)

Jesus was talking to the scribes (v. 30) who had just accused Him of begin demon-possessed (v. 22). He didn't hold back His comments just because they were unpleasant. He told them the truth forcefully--even with the view toward their repentance.
I don't like to say hard things and would like to avoid them altogether, I need forcefulness to deliver hard truths. God help me.

(9/18/98)

The Character of Christ - RELATIONAL

Read Mark 3:13-19.

"And He appointed the twelve, that they might be with Him,..." (v. 14a)

Jesus didn't appoint the twelve so that He could teach them or even train them. It says that He appointed them to be with Him; to spend their lives with Him.
This is how I want to impact people--I want them to be with me. I want my life to speak volumes about Christ and the way He wants us to live. I want to teach relationally and not just propositionally.

(9/17/98)

The Character of Christ - PRE-PLANNING

Read Mark 3:7-12.

"And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him, because of the multitude, in order that they might not crowd Him." (v. 9)

Jesus knew that because of His popularity as a healer, there would be many people there who would want to be healed. They were coming 30, 60, even 100 miles to see Him. He told the disciples to plan to have a boat ready so that when the crowds became too great, He could get in the boat to preach.
I need to look ahead to every situation and plan well for my needs there. It takes forethought--planning ahead.

(9/16/98)

The Character of Christ - COMPASSION FOR ALL

Read Mark 3:1-6.

"...looking around at them with anger, [and] grieved at their hardness of heart..." (v. 5)

Jesus felt both anger and a sort of pity for the Pharisees. I think He was angry at Satan and the evil he had brought to these men, but felt compassion for the men who were plotting against Him. He “hated the sin but loved the sinners."
I need to live in this way. I find myself angry at the president but not praying for him. I need more compassion for all the people of the world--not just my little section of it!

(9/14/98)