February 24th deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 15:1-16:34 / Mark 7:1-23 / Psalm 40:11-17 / Proverbs 10:13-14

Standout verse:

Mark 7: 6-7

“These people honor Me with their mouths, but their hearts are far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Mark 7: 20-22

“And He said, “It is what comes out of a man (out of his heart) that defiles him.  Out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these things come from within and defile a man.”

This chapter talks a great deal about the condition of people’s hearts - this is what God is most concerned about.  What comes out of our hearts reveals so much. 

A good question to ask first and foremost is “what am I filling my heart and mind with?”  Am I allowing the junk of this world to shape me?  Am I pursuing the Lord, His ways and the things He is calling me to do in a real way, or, am I just going through the “Christian motions” hoping the outside of my cup appears clean so people don’t look past my veneer into my heart.

Here’s a great measuring stick to help us identify if our heart is close to the Lord or not: We need to assess if we walking out our days filled with hope, expectation, passion for the Lord, love for others and a fresh desire to seek our God and walk in His ways? 

Okay, okay…I know that list may sound entirely too idealistic.  But it’s true – it’s normal…It’s what God wants for us and has available for our lives.  He wants us to be thriving and fruitful!!!  If we’re not experiencing these things, it’s a good indicator that our hearts may be far from Him and we need to get closer.  When we are close to Him, filling up on the things of Him, there is way less room for the things of this world…our hearts will grow less and less attached to the cheap temporary fixes that the world offers and more and more filled with the authentic, good stuff that is available from Him!

Let’s not be defiled by the junk the world is trying to sell us, but defined by a thriving, fruitful relationship with our God!

February 23rd deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 14:1-57 / Mark 6:30-56 / Psalm 40:1-10 / Proverbs 10:11-12

Standout verse:
Mark 6:51-52
“Then He went up into the boat to them and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves because their heart was hardened.”

That very day Jesus had fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish – an unbelievable miracle to witness! The people must have been in a state of mild shock at having experienced such great and supernatural provision. That same night, the disciples were in their boat crossing back over the sea while Jesus remained on the mountain to be in solitude and prayer with the Father. After He had finished, Jesus went to join the disciples. Defying all rules of nature, He walked toward them on the water! He found them in an anxious situation struggling against the strong and threatening winds. When they saw Him, they were terrified and thought He was a ghost. As He approached the boat, immediately the winds ceased. Once again they were amazed by what He had done – once again they were in shock!

Why were they so greatly amazed that the same man they had seen day after day healing hundreds even thousands of people - the blind, demon-possessed, and lame (even raising people from the dead!) - was now walking toward them on the water? Remember, the feeding of the 5,000 had just happened that day!

With each new challenge, each new illness and each new complicated situation that presented itself, the disciples insecurely waited to see what would happen instead of boldly believing, REMEMBERING the power they had experienced countless times and standing in expectant faith watching to see what Jesus would do next.

Jesus is calling us to approach challenges, complicated situations and the unknown with strong and certain faith – even excitement and anticipation about how He will provide, deliver or create.

Let’s approach each new struggle, challenge and cliff-hanger in our lives with great anticipation, wonder and excitement at how the Lord will provide. May we find ourselves saying “Lord, I’ve got no idea what You have in store for this situation, but I stand on Your Word, Your truth and Your past history of abundant provision and I CAN’T WAIT to see what You have planned!”

February 22nd deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 13:1-59 / Mark 6:1-29 / Psalm 39:1-13 / Proverbs 10:10

Standout Verse:

Psalm 39:4

“Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am”.

This verse, or rather this prayer, is a request for a heavenly perspective. David wasn’t interested in knowing how old he'd be when he died. Rather, he realized that he needed to think about his current circumstances and respond with the end of his life in mind.

This verse should prompt us to ask questions like “what kind of life am I living?  Am I truly trusting God? Am I following Him with my whole heart? Am I allowing Him to lead me into His best for my life?.....for my marriage?....for my parenting?....for my relationships?....for my work?”

Hopefully, as we stop and ponder these big questions, we’ll hear the Lord speak to our hearts.  It’s never too late to make right choices and right changes to get back on track with Him.  His heart for us is that we’ll be able to say with confidence "Yes - I did my best to seek Him, hear His voice, obey Him, trust Him with my life and with the precious things He's given me to take care of."

Lord, just as David asked "Make us know our end, help us maintain perspective on this life in light of the next. We know that the only way to do this is to keep our eyes fixed firmly on You."

February 21st deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 11:1-12:8 / Mark 5:21-43 / Psalm 38:1-22 / Proverbs 10:8-9

Standout verse:
Mark 5:35-36
“While he was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

The story surrounding these verses does not suggest that we deny reality, or live under some kind of power of positive confession.  As Christians we can bravely face reality knowing our Heavenly Father is right beside us.  He loves us, He can be trusted, and can do far more than we could dream of as we walk step by step with HIm.

Jairus’ friends came to him and told him to give up on Jesus because they thought that He was able to heal the sick, but not able to raise the dead! They were wrong! We must be watchful of the voices we listen to and not be intimidated, at times even well meaning people will tell us to not take this “seeking after Jesus thing” too far.

Jesus can and will do miracles in our lives and the lives of those around us if we keep walking with Him and obey His words “Do not be afraid: only believe.” Even when circumstances look impossible and if/when people say our faith is “a bit too much”, we mustn’t be discouraged. Rather, we need to be fully tuned into what the Lord is saying to us and confidently stand on His truth and promises.

Keep rising and seeking hard after Him, keep praying, keep walking your days out with Him in the lead, do not be swayed and do not be afraid!

February 20th deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 9:1-10:20 / Mark 4:26-5:20 / Psalm 37:29-40 / Proverbs 10:6-7

Standout Verse:

Mark 4: 37-40

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him "Do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are continually practicing our responses to life situations. When crazy circumstances arise and the winds of life pick up and become threatening, we react from one of two places: FAITH or FEAR.

We need to practice being people who live by faith and not by human sight or understanding. We want out FIRST response (our knee jerk reaction) to be one of faith -  faith in Jesus who has proved Himself to be trust worthy time and time again.

Lord we want the knee jerk responses of our hearts and minds to be that we trust You in all of life's situations. Help us practice being faith-filled.  We want the first response of our hearts to please Your heart.