Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

The Biggest Offering Ever Made – Mark 12:28-44

Tagged 1 Comment

From my reading in Mark 12:28-44 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus and his disciples were sitting near the collection box in the Temple observing people give their offerings. Jesus was a genius as using ordinary situations to teach the disciples important lessons.

First they saw many rich people putting in large amounts of money. Then a poor widow come and dropped in the two small coins worth only about $2! Jesus then said this about the widows radical gift.

“I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:43–44

God is more interested in the amount of sacrifice than the amount of money.

This woman gave all she had to live on! Jesus is showing us that you don’t have to be rich to contribute to the kingdom of God!

Each of us should give generously and be inspired by this woman of faith.

The reason I can say this is the biggest offering ever made is that you can’t give more than 100%! This story is not teaching us that everyone has to give everything away, instead let it inspire you to give from the heart, not for show, and to give generously!

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

Why Did Jesus Willingly Accept Rejection? – Mark 12:1-27

Tagged , Leave a comment

From my reading in Mark 12:1-27 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus just finished telling one of his most clear parables against the religious leaders. In the story, the tenants of the vineyard killed messengers of the owner and then killed the only son of the owner. This was a clear allegory of how they would kill Jesus. After telling the parable Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23,

“The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.” Mark 12:10–11

Even though Jesus was rejected, he came back to life and was placed at the right hand of God. He is the cornerstone and head of the Church. The Bible Knowledge Commentary Walford and Zuck write,

“This dramatic reversal of the builders’ decision and exaltation of the rejected stone was God’s sovereign doing, a remarkable thing. God overrules in amazing ways rebellious human attempts to block His purposes.”

God worked through man’s rebellion to do the most wonderful thing, save us from sin and death. Out of the greatest evil God brought about our greatest good.

Praise God that he was willing to be rejected so that we wouldn’t have to be! 

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

3 Principles for Praying Impossible Prayers – Mark 11:19-33

Tagged Leave a comment

From my reading in Mark 11:19-33 in the One Year New Testament.

 Jesus cursed fig tree for not bearing fruit and his disciples realized that it had miraclously withered. When they pointed it out, Jesus responded with a lesson on prayer. Here are three principles about praying impossible prayers.

1. We can NOT control God with our prayers, but through prayer God’s will can be accomplished, even it if seems impossible.

“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Mark 11:22-23

If God is putting it on your heart to pray for something, pray in faith and don’t doubt! If it is his will, then he will lead his people to pray for it. It is not usually his will to throw a mountain into the sea so that explains why that hasn’t happened often!

When we pray we have access to the God who created the universe and that nothing is impossible to him!

God’s answer to our prayer is not depended on how much faith we have, but who our faith is in.

2. Answers to prayer are NOT based on our ability to believe, but based on God’s willingness to answer. 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24

True faith does not twist God’s arm into doing something he doesn’t want to. Effective prayer is about discovering what His will is and boldly asking him for that! God is able to answer any prayer, but it must be something that he wants. The Bible knowledge commentary says,

“Jesus made this promise on the recognized premise that petitions must be in harmony with God’s will (cf. 14:36; Matt. 6:9–10; John 14:13–14; 15:7; 16:23–24; 1 John 5:14–15). This enables faith to receive the answers God gives. God is always ready to respond to obedient believers’ prayers, and they can petition Him knowing that no situation or difficulty is impossible for Him.”

In other words answered prayer will align with God’s purposes.

3. Prayer is hindered by unforgiveness and broken relationships.

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

Powerful prayer is done by people who are in right relationship with God and others. If you have sin in your life or you won’t forgive a friend your prayers will be hindered. Sin drowns out God’s voice in your life and makes it hard to discern what God wants you to pray for.

I want to encourage you to pray for big things, and trust that he has the power to make the impossible possible.

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

What Does “Hosanna” Mean?

Tagged , , Leave a comment

From  Mark 11:1-18 

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey in order to fulfill  prophesy and the people shouted praises…

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:9–10

Save, I Pray

Hosanna is one of those fancy words worship leaders like to put into songs, but what does it mean? Lowe Nida Lexicon defines it as,

“an Aramaic expression meaning ‘help, I pray’ or ‘save, I pray’… its association with liturgical expressions involving praise and exaltation resulted in the expression acquiring quite a different significance; hence, a phrase such as ‘hosanna in the highest’ became equivalent to ‘praise be to God.”

So Hosanna basically means “save, I pray” but generally when used as in the praise “hosanna in the highest” it was used as an exclamation of worship. The use of this word along with the phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” is showing that the people connected Jesus with Ps 118:25-26.

“Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ” Psalm 118:25–26a

Save Us, We Pray

Next time you sing the word “Hosanna” remind yourself that the person you are worshiping is powerful and can help you, save you, and give your success! Jesus really did enter Jerusalem that day in order to save us by eventually dying on the cross for our sins.

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

One Of The Most Powerful Evangelism Questions That Jesus Used – Mark 10:32-52

Tagged , Leave a comment

From my reading in Mark 10:32-52 in the One Year New Testament.

Blind Faith

As Jesus was leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaus called out to Jesus. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This is an insightful phrase because he called him “Son of David”, which shows that he believed that he was the promised Messiah! Others were trying to shut him up but he yelled louder.

What do you want me to do for you?

Then Jesus called for him and when Bartimaeus got to him, Jesus asked.

 “What do you want me to do for you?” Mark 10:51

He was blind!  What did Jesus think he wanted?; he wanted to see! Jesus then said,

“Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:52

This is a great story of a man’s faith and Jesus’ willingness to answer his request.

Meet The Need

There is an outreach principle we can learn from this passage. as well. We should be aware of and sensitive to the needs of people we are trying to reach.

One tool that I have seen to help with starting ministries and churches is surveys asking people about the needs of the area.  This shows them you care and it better equips your ministry to reach the culture.

This is also a good question to ask of the people in your life whom you would like to serve.  I challenge you to ask someone this question today.

What do you want me to do for you?

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

The Best Investment You Will Ever Make – Mark 10:1-31

Leave a comment

From my reading in Mark 10:1-31 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus just finished talking with the a rich young ruler who refused to give up everything to follow Jesus. Peter then spoke up (as usual) and said “we’ve given up everything to follow you.” Here’s Jesus’ response.

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.” Mark 10:29–30

 100 Times More

Jesus is promising that whatever we give up for him, he will give us 100 times more! He also says we will get persecution, which doesn’t seem like a blessing unless you understand that God will reward us even more when we stand up under persecution. Jesus also reminds us that those who follow Him will also receive eternal life. The principle is this:

Whatever you give up for Jesus, he will make it worth it! 

This verse was a very comforting verse for my mom when God called our family to move away from our nice Northern California suburban house to a not-so-nice apartment in Moscow, Russia. I remember her sharing this verse with our family. Already I have seen the results of this sacrifice and every sacrifice my parents, and now my family, has made for God. 

You can’t out-give God! 

If God is asking you to give something up for him he will reward you and your family. You can take that to the bank!

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

One of The Scariest Verses in the Bible – Mark 9:30-50

Leave a comment

Reflection from my reading in Mark 9:30-50 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

One of The Scariest Verses in the Bible

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” Mark 9:42

If you have spiritual influence that is to be taken very seriously. If you are a parent, pastor, children’s leader in your church, or mentor to a younger Christian you need to take that seriously.

This verse is warning us of the consequences of leading others astray. I do not think it is talking about the eternal destination of a Christian.

I believe it is saying that it would be better to drown physically than lead another person to sin.

I pray that I will not only teach accurately but will also set an example for those I lead in how I live my life.

Is there anything in your life that could cause another to stumble?

Have you been taking your spiritual leadership role seriously?

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

Are there things that will happen when we pray that won’t if we don’t? – Mark 9:1-29

Tagged , 2 Comments

Reflection from my reading in Mark 9:1-29 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Down From The Mountain Top

Jesus and his disciples just got down from a “mountain top” spiritual experience called the transfiguration and as they came down they were thrust back into the spiritual battle. 

There was a boy who suffered from an evil spirit that caused the boy to writhe uncontrollably and foam and the mouth. Jesus’ other disciples had been trying to cast the demon out, but with no success. Jesus came down and in a powerful display cast the evil spirit out!

Why Couldn’t We Do It?

“Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” Mark 9:28

Jesus took advantage of strategic training opportunities. The apostles were able to ask privately after the event why they couldn’t cast the demon out.

Only By Prayer

“Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.” Mark 9:29

Some demons are so powerful that only prayer can cast them out. I also think there is a larger spiritual  principle about prayer here…

There are things that will happen when we pray that won’t if we don’t.

This  fact is a great motivator for me to pray more. God really will work and move powerfully if we will pray! Our prayers really make a difference.

What do you need to start praying about today? 

It can make a world of difference in your life and the lives of those you are praying for! 

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

6 Statements of Jesus That Don’t Fit With “The Prosperity Gospel” – Mark 8

Tagged Leave a comment

Reflection from my reading in Mark 8 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Jesus didn’t promise us a life of ease and riches. The “prosperity gospel” doesn’t generally love passages like this, but they are very important to our faith.

1. Turn From Selfishness

“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways…” Mark 8:34

It’s not about you! We all are naturally selfish and when we decide to follow Jesus we are deciding to turn from our selfish ways.

Selfish people are often the most lonely, sad and purposeless because living for yourself is such a small thing to live for.

 2. Be Willing To Suffer

“… take up your cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34

Jesus said this BEFORE he died on the cross. To “take up your  cross” didn’t have the same spiritual significance we see in it. It meant that we must be willing to suffer, even if it means a painful death.

3. Sacrifice For Jesus

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:35

True life is found when we give up our agenda Jesus. The joy that we receive from serving him far outweighs any earthly rewards.

  4. Sacrifice For the Gospel

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:35

We are not all called to be missionaries, but we all must make sacrifices for the spreading of the good news. Working together to share our faith with others has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. Mission trips and opportunities I have had to share my faith are the times in my life I’ve felt most alive!

5. Don’t Forfeit Your Soul

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?” Mark 8:36–37

The answer is this: nothing is more valuable than your soul. Unfortunately, many of the most successful people let pride stop them from giving their lives to Jesus. They literally have everything the world has to offer, but in the next life they will lose it all.

6. Don’t Be Ashamed

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

This doesn’t mean (as some preachers would have you believe) that if you receive Jesus but don’t stand up in church then it doesn’t count. What it does mean that if you reject Jesus because you are afraid of what others will think, then you will be rejected when Jesus comes back.

If you have decided to follow Jesus, then I  encourage you to be open and unashamed of your commitment. Jesus can use your openness to draw people to himself through your example and testimony.

Give your life to Jesus, it won’t be easy but he will give you the most purposeful life as you follow him.

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ

Don’t Follow Your Heart – Mark 7:14-37

Leave a comment

Reflection from my reading in Mark 7:14-37 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Like Breathing

A lot of popular philosophies today tell you to “follow your heart” or “look within” but Jesus says that our sin comes from within! The Bible teaches that because of Adam and Eve’s sin each of us is born with a propensity to sin. It comes natural to us, like breathing!

To Eat or Not To Eat?

In this context, Jesus just finished telling the religious leaders that the man made tradition of ceremonial hand washing was not as important as keeping clear Biblical commands. Jesus then moved on to the issue of eating clean and unclean food. Here’s what he said,

“What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20–23

Our Sin Comes From Within

Jesus is clearly teaching that the source of our sin is ourselves not from outside influences. Contrary to popular belief, we are not “basically good” and corrupted by the world. We are sinful from the inside and when we are sinning we are being true to ourselves.

That’s why we need Jesus come into our lives and give us a new heart that desires to do the right thing! 

Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and if we receive him as Lord and Savior he promises to change our hearts and give us his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us desires the please God and battles against our natural sinful inclinations.

Heart Surgery

If you have given your life to Jesus he is giving you open heart surgery. He has already given you a new heart and will help you to line your desires with his! The goal of spiritual growth is shaping the desires of your heart to look more like God’s!

Next time you sin, don’t blame it on your surroundings. Take the blame, repent, and ask yourself what evil desire caused me to do that?

The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart! 

I pray that God transform my heart to desire more and more what Jesus desires, and that my desire to sin will decrease! For a great book on this subject get “Enemies of the Heart” by Andy Stanley

Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ