Bayside Woodland

Joshua 4-6; LUKE 1:1-20

“How can I be sure of this?”

“How will this be?”

Pretty similar questions, right?

But the first question got Zachariah in trouble – and he couldn’t speak for 9 months; while the second question got Mary an explanation and words of encouragement.

And when you look a little closer – the difference in these 2 questions becomes obvious:

Zachariah’s question expressed disbelief – “How CAN?…”

He’s questioning whether the Angel’s words could be trusted.

Mary’s question expressed shock – with FAITH – “How WILL?”

Mary was immediately willing to believe God. Zachariah wasn’t.

When the Bible tells me to “Ask in faith” – sometimes I don’t see how my prayer will be answered. But today’s verses teach me that  there’s a BIG difference between asking God, “CAN You?” – and asking Him, “WILL You?”

No more “CAN You?” prayers for me. I know He can.

I’m just gonna start asking Him – if He WILL…

Have a blessed day.

Joshua 1-3; Mark 16

Moses was Dead. And if you were Joshua – those would be some Scary-Big Sandals to Fill.

So GOD sits Joshua down – and says the SAME 4 WORDS – not ONCE, not TWICE, but 3 TIMES.  God says,

“Be strong and courageous.”

“Be strong and courageous.”

“Be strong and courageous.”

And the 3rd time God Repeats it – He tells Joshua WHY he can AFFORD to be “strong and courageous.” God says,

“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD

your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Ever wish you could have lived in BIBLE times – when you could hear God say those words to you PERSONALLY? I have.

I thought to myself, “If I could hear God say those words to ME – I believe I could do ANYTHING.”

What incredible words of Encouragement – WOW!

Then it dawned on me… NOTHING has CHANGED!

Jesus said the SAME WORDS to His followers -

including YOU – before he left:

“Be not afraid.”

“Be of good cheer.”

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

How’s that any different?

Just as He spoke to Joshua, He speaks again.

Only this time – GOD is speaking PERSONALLY – to YOU!

DOUBLE WOW!   (What a way to start your week, huh?)

Have a GREAT day!

Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15:26-47

Just before the last round in ROCKY V, his corner man sends him out to fight the huge Russian champion with the words:

“This is your whole life here!”

THAT’S the message MOSES leaves with Israel – just before he goes up Mount Nebo to die. He says:

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”

That message hasn’t changed. God’s book is more to believers than data. It’s more than advice. More than inspiration.  More than literature.  More than the US constitution.

The BOOK is our LIFE.

It’s our source of Eternal LIFE.

It’s our handbook for LIFE here and now.

STAYING CONNECTED to God’s Book – is literally our LIFELINE.

So – when is a BLOG – MORE than a BLOG?

When you BLOG about the BOOK – “This is your whole life here!”

See you tomorrow!

Deuteronomy 30-31; Mark 15:1-25

In the Youth Center at our Church, there once was a SIGN on the wall that said in the language of Mixed Martial Arts, “JESUS DIDN’T TAP.”

It’s what a fighter does when he can’t go on, when he can no longer bear the pain – he “TAPS OUT” – he quits.

Jesus didn’t give in to pain. He didn’t quit. It says in today’s Scripture:

“They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but

he did not take it. And they crucified him.”

Jesus had an agenda for His death: to SUFFER. To suffer as no human being had ever suffered. So he refused the painkiller,

and bore the unimaginable agony of the cross – without uttering a word. JESUS DIDN’T TAP. 3 Hours of unimaginable agony later, including the infinite pain of His Father forsaking Him, Jesus knew that He had suffered enough to Rescue us from ALL of our Sins. And He made the pronouncement: “It is FINISHED!”

JESUS DIDN’T TAP. There was too much LOVE, and too much compassion, and too much GRACE – to TAP.

Next time you feel alone and overwhelmed – remember that the Jesus who said “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” -THAT Jesus – NEVER TAPPED. Never will.

Isn’t it GREAT – to follow a God who REFUSES to quit on you – a God – who DIDN’T TAP?

See you Sunday!

Deuteronomy 28-29; Mark 14:54-72

In 1995 in Wenatchee, Washington, forty-three adults were arrested on 29,726 charges of child sex abuse involving 60 children. Parents, Sunday school teachers and a pastor were charged and many were convicted of abusing their own children or the children of others in the community. Several parents had their children taken away by the state.

The accusations were FALSE.

In 2001, a jury found the city of Wenatchee negligent in the investigations. Dr. Phillip Esplin, a forensic psychologist said,  

“Wenatchee may be the worst example ever of mental health

services being abused by a state … to control and manage children

who have been frightened and coerced into falsely accusing their parents and neighbors of the most heinous of crimes.”

FALSELY ACCUSED.

If you’re like me – you’re ANGRY right now – just thinking about it.

It’s HARD to imagine a greater injustice -

UNTIL you read about JESUS’ trial.

His accusers were paid liars. Their stories didn’t agree. 

Evidence of any wrongdoing was completely absent.

Only this time the ridiculous judicial abuse led – to a death sentence.

But unlike those falsely accused in Wenatchee,

Jesus could have STOPPED it. His “finger was on the button”

the whole time. So WHY didn’t Jesus adjourn this “kangaroo court?”

The Embarrassment; the Unfairness; The horrible Injustice;

Jesus stood there and took it all on purpose – out of LOVE – For you.

And once your anger cools down, Remember.

Before you go to bed tonite, let Jesus take your breath away

at least once – with how much He LOVES you.

You are SO Loved.

Have a GREAT day.

Deuteronomy 25-27; Mark 14:27-53

What happens when I let GOD down?

Does He get MAD? Does He Write me OFF?

Does He STOP being my GOD? Jesus had been with His disciples for 3 Years. And when He needs them, they scatter.

It HURT Jesus when they slept through His agony in the garden. But He didn’t get mad; and He didn’t quit on them. And he didn’t call off His crucifixion for them.

When you let GOD down, you hurt Him.

And Sin makes Him MAD, but He doesn’t take it out on you.

He took it out on Himself – so He wouldn’t have to Write you OFF.

Wow. Makes me want to NOT let Him down…

See you tomorrow!

Deuteronomy 22-24; Mark 14:1-26

Good DEEDS, good WILL, good NEWS.

That’s how the church of Jesus began.

They were filled with good works and with care for those in need.

But they never lost sight of WHY they did good things for others.

Good DEEDS were always a MEANS to Honor and Follow Jesus -

to gain favor and a good hearing for the GOOD NEWS.

Jesus’ disciples forgot that good DEEDS were a MEANS -

and not an end.

The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet saw a chance to honor Him;

The disciples only saw expensive perfume being “wasted.”

There’s an important lesson here – Putting a good cart before the horse – is still “putting the cart before the horse”. Good Deeds become less than good – if they crowd out the Glory of the Creator.

Jesus’ message here is simple: Serve the poor; Worship the Lord.

Don’t get so caught up in “doing good” – that you forget WHO you are doing them FOR. Thoughts?

Have an awesome day!

Deuteronomy 19-21; Mark 13:21-37

Saying “no” to temptation ISN’T EASY.

God knows that.

So He empowers us with his Word, his Spirit, and One more thing:

HOPE. The hope of Christ’s return.

Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

Not knowing when Jesus will return to earth – expecting Him at any moment – empowers us to live a pure life. The Apostle John explained the Power of Hope this way:

“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself,

just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)

Saying “no” to temptation won’t get any easier this week. But thinking about your HOPE – can empower you to win.

See you tomorrow!

Deuteronomy 16-18; Mark 13:1-20

I LOVE how God rescues us from TROUBLE!

Reading Mark this morning can be pretty scary.

It predicts TROUBLE for God’s people on a scale

that has never been seen.

and YET, there He is – EMPOWERING His people -

not just to survive, but to “OVERCOME”.

When your FAITH is attacked by false teachers;

THERE HE IS saying, “Don’t be deceived;”

When your NATION is attacked by other nations;

THERE HE IS saying, “Don’t be alarmed;”

When your SAFETY is attacked by local authorities;

THERE HE IS saying, “Be on your guard;”

When your REPUTATION is attacked from all directions;

THERE HE IS saying, “Don’t worry.”

Sooner or later, TROUBLE is unavoidable.

But isn’t it GRAND – to have the Almighty RESCUER,

Empowering every step, every response -

Empowering YOU – to OVERCOME?

Have a BLESSED day!