20-20 Blog

Scripture Focus:

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Observation:

Becoming a Christian is not a complicated matter nor a set of convoluted rules to follow. Becoming a Christian is realizing I am a sinner and putting my trust in Jesus to forgive my sins and take over the position of “boss” in my life. (Become the Lord of my life.)

Religious people (sometimes that’s me) often create a set of rules that must be followed. This takes my focus off Jesus and onto myself and what I can do to be right in God’s eyes. Paul tell me to get back to the simplicity of the gospel and put my focus on Jesus being my Lord, one day at a time.

Paul also suggests that I periodically examine myself to see whether I am in the faith, whether Jesus lives in me.

Application:

Today I can trust Jesus in me to lead me. I don’t need to make it complicated, but I should examine myself to see if there’s evidence that Jesus is living in me.

Prayer:

Father God, may it be abundantly clear to me and to others that Jesus is living in me!

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Scripture Focus:

Mark 2:7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Mark 2:16 “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
Mark 2:18 “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

Observation:

Mark 2 is mostly question and answer. Jesus does something unusual, unpredictable, or suspect, so the questions begin. And Jesus is gracious enough to answer honest questions.

Application:

Following Jesus might mean that I don’t follow customary “religious” practice, which will raise questions from the community of faith that thinks it has a corner on how a religious person should act. That’s to be expected. As long as I’m truly following Jesus and loving like he loved, the questions need not anger or bother me or make me impatient.

May God give me the ability to answer such questions graciously, but without waffling, like Jesus did.

Prayer:

Father God, may my walk be so like Jesus that people are compelled to ask questions, and may you give me the right answers, when the time comes.

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Scripture Focus:

Luke 1:34–35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Observation:

Jesus is controversial. When people encounter Jesus they can’t remain neutral. They will either rise or fall as the thoughts of their heart are revealed.

I loved reading about Simeon and Anna and even Mary as they react to the God child, Jesus. Being on Jesus’s side doesn’t necessarily mean an easy road. In fact, it most likely isn’t easy, but it does bring joy and satisfaction, and the end of the story will only be told someday in heaven.

Application:

What do my thoughts reveal about my relationship with Jesus? Am I trying to ride the fence, or am I whole heartedly on one side or the other?

Prayer:

Father God, may I receive Jesus with open arms into my day, whatever that may bring.

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