Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 131). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) The first part means that we should spend a lot of time in the Bible trying to see how God thinks, how He reacts, and what He wants.   That goes a long way in building our faith.   It also means to think, to stop and remember what He has done in our lives in times past, and to read of other’s experiences.   That also strengthens our faith but we also need to do some unlearning. Mark says, "The second half is far more difficult than the first half. That’s why Jesus repeatedly said, 'You have heard that it was said . . . but I tell you.' He was uninstalling Old Testament assumptions with New Testament revelations. Going the extra mile or turning the other cheek was more than behavior modification. Jesus was reverse engineering the old rule

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 119). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And that is so easy to do. I have been overweight a big part of my life but I have striven to not make that define me.   Now it may define what some people think of me but that is their problem not mine.   As I see myself today I see myself as a healthy person who is striving to be healthier. Now there was a time a few years back that I saw the potential if I didn’t start doing something with my weight problem of living my later years as an invalid.   And I knew that I had the potential to do something about it so I changed my eating and exercise habits.   So how do you see yourself? Mark has some very good thoughts on this.   He says, “When my children lie to me, I don’t call them liars. I remind them that that’s not who they are. I certain

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 113). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But the problem is, we really don’t want to.   Oh we may wish to but want to is a different thing. Mark says, “No matter what goal you’re trying to achieve or problem you’re trying to solve, you have to want it more than the pain that will be inflicted upon you in the process of trying to attain it. That’s where nine out of ten of us fall short, according to Dr. Edward Miller, the thirteenth dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. More than one and a half million Americans undergo a coronary bypass graft every year. And while angioplasty effectively relieves many of the symptoms of clogged arteries, it’s a temporary fix. Without a change in eating and exercise habits, the health benefits are short-lived. And patients are told that poi

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 94). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you ever thought about the fact that one of the main ways that we can limit God working in our lives is by our not asking Him too?   Too many times when we have a problem and we are doing all we can to solve except we don’t stop to pray about it.   That shouldn’t be our last resort that should be our first. We really don’t realize the power of our relationship with God and the real difference it can make in our daily life.   Do you connect with God on a daily basis?   When my kids were in school I would pray for God’s protection each and every day.   I still do.   I live in Pasadena, California, Brett lives in Studio City, California and Stef lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.   I still pray for God’s protection on their lives every day and for Andrew, Mari

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 68). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And I don’t always get an A on this test.   I don’t always react well.   Mark says, “It’s relatively easy to act like Jesus. It’s much harder to react like Him.” I was reading in the 26 th chapter of Matthew this morning of when Jesus was taken to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest where He was unjustly put on trial.   They were trying to find something false against Him so they could kill Him.   Many people came and told lies about Him.   In verse 62 (NCV) it says, “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? Don’t you have something to say about their charges against you?’   But Jesus said nothing.”   And then after all of this they eventually took Him and put Him on a cross to die and He then said, “Father f

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 57). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But we want to be the star.   But it doesn’t work that way. Mark puts it this way, “Nearly every miracle recorded in Scripture involves a supporting cast. The two blind men were operating on the buddy system (Matthew 20: 30). The paralytic had four friends drop ship him through a hole in the ceiling (Mark 2: 1– 12). Without those extras, the miracle doesn’t go down.   And what about the boy with five loaves and two fish?   He isn’t even named in the credits, but talk about fifteen minutes of fame! He was the supporting actor in one of Jesus’ most amazing miracles (John 6: 1– 14).   If you want the starring role, you’ll miss the miracle.” What could God do through us if we didn’t have to have the credit?   But I’m so insecure and I really need to feel

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 38). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I find it amazing what people, even Christians fixate on and how it makes such a difference on their quality of life.   I don’t know if you realize it but what you fixate on is a choice.   I love what Mark says, “I love the fact that this first miracle of Jesus (turning the water into wine) is not about saving a life. It’s about saving face! And it reveals how much God cares about the minute details of our lives. God is great not just because nothing is too big. God is great because nothing is too small. If it’s a big deal to you, it’s a big deal to God.” Somehow we need to see how much He really cares about us and how that can make such a difference in our daily lives.   He loves you, He cares for you even though you are not perfect, even though yo

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 14). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I like how Mark puts this, “And if you follow Jesus long enough and far enough, you’ll eventually find yourself in the middle of some miracles. Everyone wants a miracle. But here’s the catch: no one wants to be in a situation that necessitates one! Of course, you can’t have one without the other. The prerequisite for a miracle is a problem, and the bigger the problem, the greater the potential miracle.” I have lived long enough as a Christian to have Christ work in my life in some unbelievable ways.   That is one of the benefits of having a relationship with Him.   As I put my trust in Him He works things out for His glory.   He brings things into my life that only He can bring about a solution.  The miracles come about because He has control of my life.