Man Made Traditions

And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and , ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God)’, then you no longer let him do anything for his father of mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your own tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Mark 7:9-13

“Corban”, was a man made Jewish tradition that was created as a way to manipulate God’s law for personal financial gain – it was a way of circumventing the responsibility of children toward their parents that was commanded in the Law of Moses. What man-made traditions have you learned and adhered to that are keeping you from being obedient to God’s Spirit who lives inside and is calling you to a deeper relationship with your Creator? For me, it is the man-made idea that the more time you spend working and learning and being productive; that the more driven and ambitious that you are and the more results that you see as a reward for your hard work, the more you are respected as a person and fulfilled in this life. For me, it is easy to get carried away with performance, task related agenda items throughout the day, so much so that I forget, sometimes, the reason that I am here. You see, the Christian life is about people and being attentive to the needs of others and living this life with humility and a servant-hood type of attitude that is always seeking to share this great love that lives inside of us with others who do not yet know the secret of a relationship with the God of this world. And sometimes, my type A performance driven personality that has been shaped by life experiences is in direct conflict with the work of God’s Spirit as it causes me to be self-consumed and not attentive to the needs of others. It also causes me to miss, sometimes, what God is trying to show me or teach me, in fact it almost happened just this morning as I was trying to buzz through this devotion so that I could check it off of my list of things to do for today.

Thanks be to God for his grace and his Spirit who is always challenging and inviting us to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus. Today, examine your own man-made traditions in order that you too can begin to set those aside in order that God could replace them with His love and with your God given purpose for this life that is the only thing that will satisfy you and make you whole.

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Wholehearted Servitude

He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

Mark 7:6-8

The Pharisees, yet once again were caught by Jesus in the act of just going through the motions of religion through observing a man made set of rules called the “tradition of the elders” instead of authentically worshiping God who wants nothing more than our whole-hearted servitude and love. The religion of the Pharisees was about manipulating the commands of God in a way that catered to their own selfish interests. Many forms of this same type of manipulation go on today as people use their own traditions or presuppositions from their past to make excuses for their actions as a way to avoid the Spirit’s call on their lives for surrender. You may recognize or even have used some of these excuses as a barrier to change in your own life: I don’t interpret the bible in that way; I’m a Catholic; I’m a Protestant; I’m a Baptist; I don’t need to go to church to worship God; That’s not how I was brought up; How can I go to church when the people there act like that?; I’ve given up on church. What God is calling you to today is an authentic relationship with Him where you put your presuppositions about church and tradition aside and you take a step of faith toward a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ that is real and from your heart. Listen, God could not care less about the man-made structure that we call church that many of us hide behind today in a way to avoid real healing and transformation in our lives. Jesus wants your heart and your love first and foremost and the traditions and rules that follow are always second as they are just a way of deepening and protecting your love for God. Jump into this love relationship today and your life will never be the same!

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Remember

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:45-52

The early disciples had seen Jesus heal the sick and raise people from the dead and yet they could not understand how He could feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and a few fish. Even more amazing than that, at 3:00 in the morning or so, they saw Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a storm and didn’t recognize Him, they cried out to Him as He almost walked right by, not because they knew who He was, but only because they were deeply afraid. How often do we forget the miracles that God has performed in our lives, and in the midst of a difficult circumstance we discount the magnitude and power of the God that we serve? And how many times has Jesus been there to help us and encourage us in the midst of a storm and yet we don’t even see Him because our hearts are hard and our focus has turned from Jesus and serving Him to our circumstance or storm that we are facing. Jesus is walking on the water today, coming to you in the midst of the storm to calm your heart – do you see Him? He may be coming in the words of a friend or the love of a relative; He may be coming in the beauty of a sunset or through the calming splashes of the tide; He may be there already through the miracle of a baby’s laugh or the gentleness of another’s hand in yours – do you see Him? Do you remember how He has been there for you in the past; do you remember the miracles that He has already performed in your life? Cry out to Him this morning and He will turn your way, heal your broken heart and make you new.

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God will Provide

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark 6:35-44

I almost fell out of my chair this morning as I read the next words of Jesus here in the book of Mark. God’s timing is always so perfect and His shepherding of our hearts in a way that guides and directs us into a trusting relationship with Jesus is ongoing and never-ending and very sweet to the soul. Just this morning, after reading an email, I was frustrated and doubting that God would provide the needed funds for a monthly ministry that I believe in and that my heart is drawn to when God whacks me upside the head with this story as if to say – “Don't you know who I am? If I can feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish then don’t you think that I can than provide the funds for the ministry that I have placed on your heart?” Why is our faith so fleeting at times and why do we doubt God when He has consistently proven himself to be much bigger than anything that we could ever comprehend?

Father, please forgive us for our disbelief and thank you so much for your provision and your love and your shepherd’s staff of direction that is always guiding us into a more authentic relationship with you. We love you this morning and commit to you everything that we are, everything that we have and everything that we ever hope to be in order that you would use our very lives today to reflect your love to a world that is desperately searching for you.

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Quiet Place

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going and they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:30-31

Jesus is calling you this morning to a quiet place, alone with Him, in order that you may be refreshed by His Spirit and get some rest from the busyness and craziness of this life that we live. Is it just me or do you also feel like this life can suck out all of your energy on a daily basis? Two weeks ago Paula and I took a vacation week and already I feel like I need another one! Why is life so hard? Why do we always feel like we are running on empty and hanging on to the last string of hope that we have and it seems to be weakening by the moment? Paula said it best this morning as she raced out the door, late for the gym as a result of not being able to find her keys she muttered, “If life doesn’t get any better today then I think that I am going to crack!” Just maybe God lets us exhaust all of our energy and spend every last bit of our own strength trying to live this life on our own and within our own strength in order that we could finally throw our hands in the air and let Him take control. That is all Jesus is really after, you know, for you to be so energized by His Spirit as a result of spending time with Him, in a quiet place and in your mind throughout the rest of the day. He wants a relationship with you where His strength, not yours, is the fuel that keeps you going; He wants a relationship with you where His love is all that you need to fulfill you and make you whole and complete. Max Lucado says it best as he sums up the mindset of his five year old daughter, Andrea, as she lays down to put an end to another day, she has a philosophy of life he says that if put in words would read, “play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your father.” Give the reigns of your life over to Jesus today, let it be His strength that sustains you and His love that gives your life meaning and sets you free.

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Trust

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

The early disciples had to trust completely in God for the basic provisions of life as He sent them out on their first journey as witnesses of Jesus. They were instructed to go and not take any money, any food, and nothing to provide shelter from the cold air in the evenings as they would need to learn to completely rely on God for these things. This message of trust really hits home with me this morning as I was struggling with this very thing just a few moments ago. Paula and I have been trusting God to remove us from a horrible situation in our neighborhood for 10 months now where our neighbors are bitter and unforgiving as a result of us asking them to obey the laws of the association and remove a few items that were a distraction to us and others. In fact just this morning this same neighbor almost ran over our dog as he sped past my wife and dog in the parking lot without slowing down. The cool thing about God is that His timing is perfect and His provision will always be there for us as His children as long as we continue to look to Him and trust in Him to meet our needs. I’m not sure what God has in store for our situation or yours today, however; what I do know for sure is that God loves you and me today more than we could ever imagine and all that He asks in return is that we trust completely in Him.

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Faith can move Mountains

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Mark 6:1-6

I am sure that we all can relate to this story in some small way. To me, this is the most amazing thing about the ministry of Jesus, the fact that He came and experienced in the flesh the same situations and circumstances that you and I experience, sometimes on a daily basis as we journey to live our lives for the King. I am sure that you have heard these same words from close family members or loved ones at one time or another as you began your own purposed filled life that God has created you to live: “What makes you so special; You are just one of us and nothing more; You came out of the same womb that I did; You're such a hypocrite; I knew you before you got on this kick with all of this Jesus stuff”. I am going to defer to the well renowned author Max Lucado from his work, Mocha with Max, to help encourage you today in regards to this subject. In this passage, Max is reflecting on Psalm 139:13 which says: “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

“Think on those words. You were knitted together. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman. In a society that has little room for second fiddles, that’s good news. In a culture where the door of opportunity opens only once and then slams shut, that is a revelation. In a system that ranks the value of a human by the figures of his salary or shape of her legs…let me tell you something: this is a reason for joy!”


Today, have faith in yourself and have faith in the fact that God has created you for a specific purpose on this earth! You are special; God loves you and wants to use you in an extraordinary way today to help reveal His love and glory to the world around you that is in desperate need of a Savior. In the midst of your seemingly ordinary day, God has a work planned for you to do today, that only you can do. Keep your eyes on Jesus and hang on to the faith that lives inside, despite what others may say or do and you will see how God can use your faith to move mountains, as a result of your love and devotion to Him.

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Talitha Koum

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (Which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 5:35-43

There is great power in the Words of Jesus! There is great power in God’s Word that can raise the dead, both the physical dead as we read here in the story and the spiritually dead which we will discuss for today’s application of this most encouraging story. If you are skeptical of the dead coming back to life then I would encourage you to read the best selling book, 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. The interesting thing about all of this is that this little girl could no more raise herself from the dead than you our I could raise ourselves from the spiritual deadness that we inherited by being born into this fallen world of sin. No, just as it took Jesus’ words here “Talitha Koum” to raise up this little girl from the dead, in the same way, it takes the Word of God as a Spirit inspired book or through a Spirit filled life who is living out God’s Word in his/her actions to raise the spiritually dead people of this world who are so hungry for a relationship with their Creator. This is why I am convicted to share God’s Word to each and every one of you every day; it is the power that is found in this amazing book of life that has fueled my passion and excitement for publishing Journey Bread devotion books in order that they could be distributed to the lost and lonely people who are all around us in this fallen world. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 4:12: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Point people to the life-changing Word of God today as you live out the lessons of love that God has taught you in this amazing book of life!

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Don't Be Afraid - Just Believe

When Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:35-36

Sometimes in this life it is easy to become afraid. You may be afraid this morning of what the future holds; afraid for loved ones who are sick; afraid for the economy or your financial outlook; afraid for this fallen world that seems to be in somewhat of a downward spiral in regard to holiness and communion with God. God’s plan for our lives and how we as His children will have an impact on this world for Him may end up looking very different than the plan that you and I had envisioned and the fear of the unknown can slip into our thought process very easily. Jesus would tell you this morning the same words that He spoke to Jairus more than 2,000 years ago – “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Jesus loves you and He has the perfect plan for your life that will fulfill the emptiness that you feel inside completely and in a way that brings healing and restoration to your wounded and lonely heart. Jesus is the answer so trust in Him today with your whole heart, even if the road is a little foggy and the journey seems a little unclear, for God is carrying you on his shoulders today as you just learn to love and trust Him more!

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Public Confession of Faith

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Mark 5:25-33

“Who touched my clothes?” Ok, let’s be real for a minute, here is the Son of God who is all knowing and all powerful and is in the midst of performing many amazing miracles and yet He is asking the crowd to reveal who touched His cloak? Jesus knew who touched Him, just as He knows how He has touched your heart today with His love. Maybe it has been through the words of your pastor; maybe it has been through a loving example of His unconditional love by a friend or family member or colleague; maybe through a song or a sunset or through gazing at another piece of His glorious creation. I don’t know how or when your heart has been touched and healed by our master healer and forever friend, however, He does and guess what? He is waiting for you to fall on your knees in thanksgiving to Him as you publicly confess and give testimony to the great things that He has done in your life. For this testimony and example is what life is about and it is why you are still here on this earth, in order that you could be a living example of the risen Christ as you live out a life of love for the whole world to see. How has God touched your heart? Tell someone about your Father in Heaven today!

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The Great Commission

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Mark 5:18-20

There is a reason that you and I as Christ followers are still here on this earth. Even though your heart, deep down inside, longs for a better place where your relationship with God will be made perfect and you will be able to enjoy His presence and love in perfect peace and harmony, there is still work to be done here in this fallen world. You see, Jesus wants you to live to tell of how He has redeemed your heart, shown you mercy, and is transforming your life back to its original glory in Him. There are many others who need to hear about the redeeming love of our creator. There are hurt, lonely and lost people in this world, with many of whom you come into contact every day, who are crying out, deep in their heart of hearts, for the freedom and joy that comes in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Tell these people today about all that God has done for you; tell them about His great love and mercy and compassion and peace and joy that He so freely gives to all who surrender their lives to Him. May your life be a living testimony today of God’s love and grace!

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There is an Enemy in our Midst

Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

Mark 5:9

Don’t ever forget that you are being opposed! Although the enemy has been defeated in view of eternity, he is still fighting for the control of your heart and he has a team of demons and evil spirits that are fallen angels who will try to deceive you, first in your mind and then in persuading you to act in a way that is not of God and that will not bring you anything good that will last. You have the power within you in to resist and God promises not to allow you to be tempted you beyond what you can handle, however, the key to living a holy life that is full of Christ and that reflects the love of Jesus to the world around you is to keep your mind and focus on your relationship with God at all times! Believe me, I know, this is easier said than done, however, it is the only way that you will be able to stand. It is only in God’s power as you are connected with Him in Spirit that anything good can happen as it is all about Him and has nothing to do with your own abilities. Spend some time this morning getting your heart right with God, ask Him to give you the strength to look at the world today with the eyes of your heart and for His Spirit to guide and direct you in order that His love that lives inside would protect you from the enemy and keep you filled with His awesome joy, love and purpose. God is good; He loves you more than you could ever imagine; and he wants to use your life to make a huge impact on this fallen world today for him; choose today to keep your mind on the one who will never let you go!

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To Bind, Torment and Destroy

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”

Mark 5:6-8

Jesus has come to give you abundant life with God and to restore your heart back to the divine likeness in which you were originally created to be one in relationship with God Almighty for the rest of eternity. The enemy comes to bind you up in this world in order that you cannot enjoy the free gift of love and salvation and restoration that Jesus died in order that you could receive. The enemy comes to torment you, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing in order that he could ultimately destroy you life that was made for a much higher calling than you could ever imagine. Knowing this, just like this poor man in the story who was posessed by a legion of demons and living in a tomb which was used to bury the dead, the enemy will do anything that he can to keep you isolated from God, bound up in your own addictions and selfish desires here on this earth. The coolest thing about this story is the answer to avoiding this bondage in your life is clear as we read how this man ran to Jesus and fell on his knees in front of Him in order that he could be healed from this torment of the enemy. Don’t get caught up in the enemy’s lies and deception today, run to Jesus, fall on your knees and worship the King of Kings who came and died to make you whole. Keep your eyes and focus today on things above and the same Jesus who healed this demon possessed man will heal you and use you as you enjoy His presence and live your life for Him!

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Where is your Faith

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Mark 4:35-40

I love this story, especially when I read it through the filter of today’s times where the storms of life seem to be never-ending and all around us. Jesus is asking you and I today, just as he asked his disciples some 2,000+ plus years ago, “where is your Faith”? You see, God is still in control of everything that happens to you and me today. As we follow Him by making choices that are in alignment with His will for our lives, He promises to always be there for us as we walk through the storms of life as His children. God cannot change the consequences that happen as a result of us choosing to make decisions apart from Him, but He can and will be sure that we have everything that we need to be fulfilled and joyful in this life if indeed we look His way and follow Him! In the midst of whatever crises or storm or difficult circumstance that you are facing today, give this situation over to God, trust in your creator and friend to pull you though as He will indeed and your life will be richly blessed as a result of putting your faith in Jesus!

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