Mark 1:12-13 - February 5, 2010

Mark 1:12-13 “At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”

From the moment that we encounter the Holy Spirit descending upon our lives in power we enter an entirely different realm of surrender and directed living. Jesus experiences the Holy Spirit coming upon his life and the Spirit of God wastes no time in beginning to take Jesus to a new level. Most people do not think of the maturing developmental process of Jesus’ life but we must remember that Jesus was both human and divine. He was not only God in the form of man. He was man! The scriptures tell us that he learned obedience, that he was tempted just as we are, that he became angry at hypocrisy and unbelief, that he experienced sorrow and was attacked by stressful, distracting thoughts as he wrestled with his decision to go to the cross that moved him so deeply in prayer that he sweat great drops of blood. Through all of this he still lived without sin.

When he experienced the descent of the Holy Spirit on that day to remain with him he entered a new measure of expression. When He told the disciples to tarry until they would receive power from on high, he had already experienced this process. Jesus encountered the Holy Spirit in the waters of the Jordan river and was directed immediately into new dimensions of spiritual warfare and conflict. He is led into the desert for a forty day period of prayer and fasting that was also accompanied by spiritual encounter. Mark 1:12-13 describes the demonic pressure that Satan applied to tempt him. Luke chapter four describes not only an ongoing forty day conflict but also three very specific challenges that assaulted Jesus’ mind and Spirit. Satan sought to use Jesus’ natural impulses and desires to tempt him and even sought to distort Jesus’ interpretation of scripture to turn Jesus from his commitment to holiness.

The good news is that God did not leave him to struggle alone. Mark 1:13 tells us that angels attended to him also. 1 Cor 10:13 teaches us a powerful truth about temptation as Paul writes, “and God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Jesus was not only the pattern of a sinless life, he was the pattern of a life that has overcome the temptations that have come against it.

The strength of Jesus’ public ministry was the baptism of the Holy Spirit that fell upon him in the water that day. It was this new Spirit empowerment that directed him into the desert. It was there, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, that Jesus was brought to victory over Satan and his voice of influence. Every time that Jesus encountered Satan and his fruits in the lives of people throughout the course of his ministry the deliverance, healing and transformations that followed all flowed out of this victory that was won in the desert. The Spirit of God directed Jesus on a journey of private triumph and public victory. It is this process that is God’s work in each one of us as well. God desires to train and prepare his people through the mentoring of the Holy Spirit. If we have been touched by his descent upon our lives, we will also certainly be led into conflict with demonic powers on both a personal level and in regard to the lives of people around us. Gain personal victory through the discipleship of the Holy Spirit and you will come out of this place in the power of the Spirit to set others free.

Mark 1:9-11 - February 4, 2010

Mark 1:9-11 “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." NIV

Mark 1:9-11 introduces the revelation of Jesus Christ! Jesus goes to fulfill the standard that will later be applied to all believers. He presents himself to John to be baptized in water. Through this act Christ demonstrates the model that is to be upheld by all. Even though he is sinless he still embraces baptism as an example to all those who will follow. This is one of the many reasons that the heavens are opened and the voice of the Father declares Christ’s pleasing life. Through this the Father both endorses the sinless nature of Christ’s life by declaring his pleasure and identifies the Son-ship of Christ; proclaiming a Father’s love over Jesus as the Holy Spirit descends upon him and remains.

This introduction of Christ is a powerful reflection of the Father’s priorities. Consider the fact that this is the first real manifestation of Jesus to Israel and it is not a demonstration of what He can do but rather the demonstration of heaven’s view of Christ. He is presented as a Son, as pleasing, as empowered by the Holy Spirit remaining upon Him, by divine annunciation, in the act of submission to the work of God to an audience that primarily consists of those who were God seekers with a fresh conviction of sin and forgiveness upon their lives. He is not presented to the skeptics by this act but rather to the humble, believing Israelites who have been turning to God through the message of John. He does not choose to be announced to those whose hearts are closed, but to those whose hearts are open.

The events of this passage in the book of Mark reveal many things about the messenger, John the Baptist. This is the long awaited moment of John the Baptist’s entire ministry. When asked by the Priests and the Levites in Jn. 1:21-23 to explain who he was and the reason he was baptizing in water John answered in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.” He further declares in John 1:31-33 “I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” This is the time that the people of God have been waiting for, for hundreds of years. It is a time of prophetic fulfillment a moment of destiny and the capstone of John’s life. Everything else that John has done as a seasoned prophet and preacher for the Lord is encapsulated in this one defining moment when he prophesies the Lamb of God.

This demonstration of the ministry of John the Baptist also reveals the prophetic spirit that was upon this servant, this voice for God! John is a seer who witnesses an open heavens. He also hears in the Spirit as the Father endorses the Son. We can know that John has experienced angelic encounter as he references the “one who sent” him to baptize and the commissioning that was given to him and we can know that he prophesied because of his declaration over the Son of God. It also demonstrates that he was scripturally sound as he relates his ministry directly to the prophetic words of the prophet Isaiah. Through these events the manifold wisdom of God can be seen as He works on a diversity of levels to introduce the kingdom of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Mark1:6-8 - February 3, 2010

Mark 1:6-8 “John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” NIV

Mark 1:6-8 is a demonstration of a powerful principle. The life and the ministry go together. The book of Mark introduces the ministry of John the Baptist with such simple clarity, a messenger sent from God to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. It is not complicated and it is very focused in purpose. The people have been without the moving of God in their nation for hundreds of years and then suddenly out in the wilderness a messenger appears. He is clothed in camel’s hair. His diet is very simple and conservative. There is nothing worldly about him.

When asked about himself, his only response is “I am a voice… I am not worthy.” God sends a messenger with no personal agenda other than to be the voice of God. He has no selfish ambition, no desire for self promotion or personal greatness. His eyes are on the purpose of God and the work that he has been sent to do. His only thought is to point people to Jesus. When a competitive spirit seeks to gain entrance into the ministry through the voice of his disciples his response in Jn. 3:30 is “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He was content for the fame of Christ to increase and did not live in pursuit of his own prominence. In fact he recognized that people’s loyalty to him could in fact separate them from the very Messiah that he had come to introduce them to.

Many ministers fall into the trap of building something for God in the beginning then allowing what they are building to become the focus rather than true allegiance to God. This tendency produces countless numbers of wounded saints who are now bound to us rather than to the Lord. We must never teach a message that compels people to an unhealthy loyalty to what we are doing. The calling of John’s disciples to walk with his ministry was for a season and when that season was over he was able to release them. He did not want to lose them to the world but was freely able to lose them to the higher purpose of God. We must always preserve a heart that points people to that moment when they might have to move on in obedience to Christ’s calling.

Church leaders today are often more inclined to persuade people to a false loyalty to their ministry rather than a costly obedience to Christ, wherever that may lead. John demonstrated a willingness to surrender himself for the sake of Christ. His ultimate mission was to direct people to an abandoned life before God, not himself. He recognized that the need of man could only be met through a personal connection to Christ. Because of this he could let go of all things and embrace the lessening of his own voice for the sake of the higher purpose of God. Make it your mission to align people with what God is doing, wherever you find it!

Mark 1:5 - February 2, 2010

Mark 1:5 “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” NIV

The signs of a contrite heart before God; that is the beauty of Mark 1:5 In all of its simplicity this little passage conveys a powerful truth. When the spirit of God is poured out on a region to bring transformation it occurs without manipulation or need for hype. John is laboring in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance and a turning with the whole heart to a life that is pleasing to God. He does not resort to advertising gimmicks. He does not adopt new marketing strategies to draw a crowd and build his ministry. Mark chooses an isolated place in the country side and begins to minister to the hearts of people. He begins to call the people recognize the difference between the way they are living and the way that God intended them to live. He calls them to turn!

No billboards, no commercials, just word of mouth and life altering ministry and yet the crowds of people were pouring out into the countryside to confess their sins and be baptized into a right relationship with God. The power of God is attractive. The truth of God is magnetic! If His presence is with us the people will follow. If we are ministering in the life of His Spirit He can draw any size crowd that He desires. John didn’t have to chase after the people. The people went out to him because where John was the people found God also. The work of the Holy Spirit moved the hearts of the people to burn with hope; hope that God had not forgotten them, hope that they could feel clean inside again. Sin violates the conscience and yet so many people live in its grasp, separated from the peace that comes from clean hands and a pure heart. The message of life that was flowing out from John brought the people to the place of wanting to be right with God, feeling the need for change. If a heart does not recognize its need there will be no change. John helped the people see their need and was positioned to prepare them to receive that change.

The response of the multitudes to the ministry of John was conviction! When a heart has true conviction before God there is lasting change and a readiness to learn, a true hunger. Paul speaks of the tenderness that touches a heart that has experienced true conviction in 2 Cor 7:10-11 where he says “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”

True conviction leaves the heart longing for change not just responding out of guilt or a sense of guilt or obligation. Change that grows out of conviction does not inwardly long for the things that have been let go of. Real repentance produces earnestness, longing for a pure heart and a consistency of concern that our actions are pleasing to God. One of the greatest signs of a growing hardness of heart is when we have lost a place of being concerned about whether our actions are pleasing to God. If you don’t care, there is nothing there. If your heart is not awake to the impact your actions have on your relationship with God then something is out of order in your heart. Ask God to renew your tenderness today. Ask Him to deliver you from the dullness of heart that yields to temptation and sinful behavior without a fight, without the pressure of God’s Spirit intervening to turn you away. Seek from Him the same restoration that David sought after failing in regard to Bathsheba where in Ps 51:10 he prayed “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” KJV

Mark 1:1-4 - February 1, 2010

Mark 1:1-4 "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"- 3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" 4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." NIV

In the seasons of God it is clear throughout both biblical history and church history that when God intends to introduce significant change into a church, a region or a nation or even the earth He prepares the way for the waves of His divine activity by raising up a voice amongst the people. God uses people to be His mouthpiece, to declare truth, to confront hypocrisy, to expose lies and to turn the hearts of men towards the heart of God. In the bible it was such men as Moses who met with God face to face, David, the man after God’s own heart and the singer of songs that brought a restoration of intimacy with God. There were prophets like Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and others who restored and revealed God’s standards and power and restored the fear of God amongst the people. There were men like Isaiah and Jeremiah who announced the coming of judgment amongst the people of God and sought to bring the nation to repentance even though the people hardened their hearts.

In the gospels and New Testament the outpouring of the Holy Spirit caused this pattern of raising up mouthpieces to be accelerated as God called all believers through Peter to consider themselves God’s voice. In 1 Peter 4:10-11Peter writes: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” It is the way of God to initiate change through anointed messengers who prepare the way for the coming of God’s work into a situation or generation. John the Baptist spoke a message that called the people to turn their hearts back to sincere obedience to God that they might be forgiven. His ministry prepared the way for the Lord to bring the message of God’s kingdom to the people. Even so today God commissions us to be that same voice of preparation.

After the gospel times men and women throughout history became the voice of God calling to their generation; people of passion, living a life of radical abandonment to God who allowed God’s Spirit to speak through them and turn the hearts many to a new experience with God. Men like Patrick of Ireland who transformed the culture of a nation. Men like Luther who called for a restoration of faith that has impacted the church for hundreds of years. Women like mother Theresa who called the attention of the world to a heart of compassion and the needs of the poor and afflicted. God moves a heart and then turns that heart into message of change.

In Isaiah’s day the Lord was looking for a man and declared in Isaiah’s presence in Isa 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah said yes! Will you? His message called Israel to change and warned them of coming judgment. He took a stand and confronted a complacent and backslidden generation. Will you? God is still looking for a man or a woman upon whom He can place the power of His Spirit, someone who will be a voice and prepare the way for a fresh visitation of His presence in this generation.

Psalm 11:4-6 - January 31, 2010

Pastor Dan will be starting a new series of devotional studies on February 1, 2010. The studies will be of the gospel of Mark.

Ps 11:4-6 “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. " NIV

This psalm introduces two significant themes: the abiding presence of the Lord with his people and his eternal dominion over all things in heaven and on earth. It is both a reflection of his identity as Immanuel, God with us, and the truth of God’s eternal sovereignty as reflected in Col 1:15-17 which states of Christ, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Our God has the right to rule because all things are a mere reflection of his creative power but his infinite reality by far transcends all that he has created.

The very nature of the temple was to be a dwelling place for God, a house for his abiding presence. What a wonderful truth in the context of the words of Paul’s statement in 1 Cor 3:16 “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” Through the work of Christ on the cross mankind is now the dwelling place for the Spirit of God. The living God inhabiting his people to direct, comfort and counsel us.

Every man who has offered his life to God and received eternal life has in this same act invited the living God to abide with and in him. John 14:20 “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” However, this psalm continues on from the place of God’s presence to establishing the Lord’s right to rule. His throne is eternal in the heavens as the Lord over all and it is from this vantage point that the Lord observes the sons of man, examining them with his eyes. The Lord sits enthroned as king over all that he has created, examining the hearts of man. For those who welcome his Lordship, his abiding presence empowers us to live a life that meets the requirements of his judgment through the mercy of Christ. This is the eternal vindication of the lovers of God and the eternal consequence of the wicked. It is with perfect justice, perfect wisdom and perfect mercy that God sits as judge over the nations and the heart of every man.