Legacy Moment

Mark 14: ³ And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. ⁴ But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? ⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.

⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. ⁷ For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. ⁸ She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. ⁹ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

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Sitting in a sales pitch was my least favorite thing to do but I was there. As the sales person went on and on about how wonderful this this was, I yawned and glanced at my watch. He then said something memorable. “Don’t you want this as a legacy to your kids?”

• There were times I wanted to leave a legacy.
• There were times when I wanted people to remember “my” name.
• There were times when the thought crossed my mind to be as famous as the latest famous people.

Like the woman who previously gave the equivalent of two pennies, this woman possibly gave all she had. She poured, what some would say, a month or even a year’s worth of income over JESUS’s head. Nothing was expected of her yet she did it.

• GOD expects nothing of me but is delighted when I do even the tiniest thing for HIM.
• GOD has no expectations of me but is filled with gratitude when I mention HIS SON.
• GOD is not looking for gifts but loves when I give to HIM from my heart.

“She has done what she could” is what JESUS said about the woman. JESUS didn’t need any new clothes or a car or a house where HE was going. HE was headed to HIS destiny and she gave what she could. JESUS is returning and wants my all. HE wants my house, cars and clothes. The more I can give them to HIM the less I will stress over them. JESUS is my legacy I give to people.

• What are you striving for?
• Do you want to be known?
• Can you stop trying to be in the spotlight and put JESUS in front always?

Who to do it for

Mark 14: After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. ² But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

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“Do I have to go?” was my question filled with dread. “Yes” was the answer and off we went to church. As I sat through the boring exposition I dreamt of other things I could be doing. “Man! I could be playing with my friends right now” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I reluctantly do things.
• Sometimes I am not really present because I didn’t want to be there in the first place.
• Sometimes I am in a place for what “I” can get out of that place.

The church leader’s hearts were filled with so much poison that they could not hold it any longer. “This JESUS guy has got to go!” I imagined they said. “If we can fool the people then maybe HIS death will look like HE deserved it” is another thought.

They did this during the most holy time of celebration, the remembrance of GOD’s deliverance by passing HIS people over from death. They didn’t want an uproar from the people so they waited. They did not know who the Passover was for.

• GOD wants me to worship HIM not the building I go to.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS direction not just do things out of habit.
• GOD wants me to celebrate HIM not just celebrate traditions.

Attending church and celebrating special days in which GOD did something significant to all of mankind should not be taken lightly. GOD doesn’t want me celebrating the day, rather HE wants me to celebrate HIM.

HE should always be my focus but sometimes I slip into the comforts of blindly gathering without even mentioning HIM. Food and drink are wonderful, BUT GOD is my reason for celebration.

• Do you attend church without thinking about your relationship with GOD?
• Do you have big plans for a special day without once asking GOD what HE wants you to do?
• Will you stop doing things to be noticed by humans and do things strictly for GOD today?

Keep Looking Out

Mark 13: ³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

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“Watch the food” said someone from another room. “Um Hmm” was my response but the message was clearly not received. I soon smelled something burning. I ran over to the stove only to see charred food. “Ohhh, I was supposed to watch the food” I realized in dismay.

• Being distracted can make me unaware.
• Being unaware can cause me to daydream.
• Daydreaming may cause me to miss something.

JESUS gives HIS final warning summarized in one word, “watch.” HE is referring to the ultimate demise of the earth, but it goes on a deeper level. JESUS also knows that life is fleeting and there is a specific day and time appointed for every human to die.

• GOD says to me “Watch for me daily.”
• GOD says to me “Stay on guard and do not get weary.”
• GOD says to me “Keep trusting because I AM with you always.”

Losing faith and giving up can cause me to fall asleep to GOD’s amazing works. When I fall asleep I cannot hear HIM or see HIM. I cannot be amazed rather I fall into feeling devastated. GOD says “Watch!” When I do watch, I notice GOD all around me. I can see HIS deliverance and protection and love. When I watch, I can see.

• Have your senses gotten dull?
• Have you lost your way and are blaming GOD for where you are?
• Can you take time today to quiet down and watch for GOD?

Word Power

Mark 13: ²⁸ “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it^[f] is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

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My limit had been reached. The person kept taunting me and I could not hold it in any longer. I blasted the person with a torrent of obscenities and degradations I had practiced in my mind. It felt better. I was superior!

• There were times I just wanted to bring someone down.
• There were times I wanted to just rip into a person.
• There were times I wanted to simply tell the person what I thought about them and make sure they never forgot my words.

JESUS says to HIS disciples that the earth would be destroyed someday. All the work humans thought was important would eventually disappear. But what will happen?

• GOD says to me “Pass MY words to as many people as you can.”
• GOD says to me “MY words do not go out without substantial return.”
• GOD says to me “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away.”

Words spoken by JESUS are eternal so HE chose them carefully. HE wants me to do the same. Instead of practicing poisonous negative words filled with complaints and doubts, JESUS wants me to practice HIS words. GOD’s words are filled with compassion, love kindness and gentleness towards me. HE wants me to pass this on with abundance.

• Are you ready to curse someone out?
• Have you been replaying negative words over and over in your mind and are on the verge of spewing them out towards someone?
• Can you ask GOD to adjust your thinking and have HIM remove the poison so HIS sweet, sweet words can flow from your mouth today?

Incredible Return

Mark 13: ²⁴ “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵ the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

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Not knowing who I was, a person took a picture of me, and then more started doing the same. A co-worker and I went to a professional football party and got a chance to walk on a red carpet. I was making a grand entrance and I was a “nobody” to this group.

• JESUS will one day return.
• JESUS will someday come back with great power.
• JESUS will reappear to gather HIS elect.

Without JESUS, no one would be saved. HE will return in a GOD-like fashion. Even the planets and the stars will be shaken. HIS return will definitely focus everyone on HIM.

• Are you trying to get attention?
• Do you think you are not special?
• Can you stop thinking poorly of yourself for moment and place your thoughts on how glorious JESUS really is today?

Early Warning System

Mark 13: ¹⁴ “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’  spoken of by Daniel the prophet,  standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.¹⁵ Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁷ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ And pray that your flight may not be in winter. ¹⁹ For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. ²⁰ And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

²¹ “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.²³ But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

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“Our company is not doing well enough to keep projects going” said a person who I had a contract with. That was difficult news to hear but it was welcome as I had time to fully understand the situation and react accordingly.

• ·         There have been times when I had had difficult news told to me.
• ·         There has been news given to me that is thoroughly out of my control.
• ·         There have been when I have gone through situations that seem difficult.

The “Abomination of desolation” is probably one of the most controversial topics JESUS brings up. Rarely is it preached in churches even to this very day. HE spoke to HIS disciples about what has come and is coming. Many have said they were JESUS but were not. HE gives them early warning that what will take place will not be mistaken by those HE has chosen.

• ·         GOD warns me not to blindly follow humans.
• ·         GOD warns me to be prepared for HIS imminent return.
• ·         GOD warns me that days will sometimes be difficult, but HE is in control of the timing.

The great news is that I am chosen and so are those who believe in JESUS as their savior. Those who pretend to believe by secretly hiding behind their favorite human of the week will be in for a rude awakening. GOD does not do anything on small proportions.

From quarks to mountains to planets to stars in the universe, GOD is in them all and created all. Mankind is only here on this planet for a short number of days. GOD desires that we see HIM in everything and in every situation. HE has all under HIS control, all I need to do is believe.

• ·         Do you know you were chosen?
• ·         Can you stop thinking it is your good or bad acts that controls GOD’s living gift for you?
• ·         Will you heed GOD’s early warning and act as if the world were going to end today?

Pressure Relief

Mark 13: ⁹ “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. ¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

¹² “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ¹³ Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

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Work was piling up and it seemed like the trifecta hit at once. Expense reports were due, annual evaluations were also due and a few higher ups were scoundrels so they piled on work liberally. I was under tremendous pressure.

• There have been times when I was under extreme pressure.
• There have been times when I was in the spotlight, trying to meet unrealistic demands.
• There have been times when I was scrutinized, challenged and placed in no win situations.

More difficult news came from JESUS as HE was trying to fortify HIS disciples before HIS death. How in the world would they be able to handle the pressures of life? GOD had an answer.

• GOD says to me “Be on guard because you will have opposition that is a spiritual battle.”
• GOD says to me “Do not worry about what you will say because I will give you the words.”
• GOD says to me “Stand firm to the end and be saved.”

JESUS wants me to expect trials and tribulation. When I see tremendous pressure building, HE wants me to know HE is the source of relief. GOD leads me to peace and guides me back to HIS tremendous love. HE does not deserve blame, rather HE deserves my praise. Thank GOD, for I can give HIM all of life’s pressures.

• Are you under pressure?
• Do you think “that” person hates you?
• Can you stop focusing on the trial and focus on GOD for relief today?