Mark 14:32-52 Pacing and Praying

Mark 14:32-52
Completely oblivious to the inner torment that Jesus was experiencing; rather than pray with or for Him, the disciples fall asleep.

How many times have we paced the floors in the middle of the night or fell on our faces praying throughout the night, asking God to deliver us or someone else while everyone else was fast asleep oblivious to the trouble around them or about to come upon them? We pace, we pray, until peace comes upon us, the resolution is at nigh. We are prepared to face whatever must come.

The resolution for Jesus is to be betrayed with a kiss by a friend, a follower. What comes for Jesus is death and ultimately resurrection. Sometimes, (OK - often) the resolution that comes is not an immediate reprieve, but a journey through even darker times; a place where even our friends will desert us. What comes is a journey through the valley of the shadow of death so that ultimately, not our; but, God's will is done.

In order to get to the place where we can know peace no matter what God's will is for us, we pray. We find solace in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 10:1-12 Marriage/Divorce

Mark 10:1-12 NIV
Today we have a hard reading for today's society.

"He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)

Divorce is a difficult thing. When God joins two people they truly become one flesh. Then because of the hardness of our hearts, we attempt to tear apart what God has joined together. In the case of a divorce we can succeed in distancing ourselves, but we will always be a part of that other person. Whether for the good or bad we cannot ever be separated completely.

Divorce is not God's will, according to Jesus. But, because of the hardness of our hearts, Moses wrote the law allowing divorce in order that there would not be even more hardship to either person. Divorce happens. Sometimes, it may even be necessary for the safety of everyone involved. But, in today's society, it happens all too often. It is routine. Families are separated. Children grieve and suffer. The divorcees grieve and suffer. "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Mark 10:9)

One way to avoid divorce and the hurt it causes would be to take marriage more seriously even prior to the wedding. Marriage is a life-long commitment. It is the joining together of two people by God. Marriage is not one big reception after the wedding. The marriage can be a lot of work. It takes real commitment and most absolutely the constant and continued help of God. I'm not really sure why so many think they should commit themselves to marriage without first committing themselves to trusting God to help them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 78 - Who Is Listening To The Things Of Old?

So, who is listening?  Are we teaching the things of old to the next generation so that they in turn will tell their children and they would put their trust in God?  (Psalm 78:1-4, 6 NIV)

How long will God restrain His anger against those who refuse to hear His Word, who refuse to teach it to their children?

Yesterday, my youngest granddaughter wanted to know what the world stubborn means.  I'm thinking her older sister probably had implied that she was being stubborn.  Stubborn, I told her, means that someone always has to have everything their way no matter who it might hurt.  Stubborn means that someone is not willing to listen to others. They are not willing to learn or grow from the experience or knowledge of others. Stubborn means being unwilling to compromise in the way that things are done, even if compromising is the best and right thing to do at the time. Yes, one little question, will get my grandchildren lessons and lectures...

But, they need to know... that there are things that cannot be compromised. The Word of God cannot be compromised.  But, there are also things that we do need to find a compromise to, so that we can live in relative peace and harmony. Things like what we're going to eat for supper, we can compromise on. Or... what to wear to school, where we're going on vacation, what movie to watch, how and when to weed the garden. So long as none of our compromises involve going against the Word of God, God's will for humankind, compromise can be a very good thing. 

And... how do we know what is God's will? We hear His Word, we read and study scripture (just like you're reading Psalm 78 today), and we listen to those who would teach us.

Are you listening? Are you teaching the things of God to the next generation so that they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands; so that they would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation. (vs 7, 8)
God's Peace - Pr. J