March Bible Reading by Gary Rose

  This Bible Reading Plan focuses on reading the Old Testament over the year, while the New Testament is read twice.

 

 

Hardness of Heart by Gary Rose

 

 

^{Well, here is something new- an exasperated lion. I have more than a few doubts about this image being one that has been photo-shopped, but I will imagine for a moment that it is real. Since I know that the lion’s mate does most of the hunting, perhaps she brought home only a small bit of game. Or, perhaps he was napping and the cubs ate everything she caught. Maybe the waterhole had dried up ( again? ). Whatever caused this expression, it is familiar. We experience moments like this periodically and they usually are not the best moments of our day. Sometimes our exasperation can go further and we become agitated to the point of anger. Our actions and attitudes may or may not be a justifiable response to the situation, but this picture makes me wonder- did Jesus have moments like this?}

^{The Bible says...}

^{Mark 3 ( World English Bible )}

¹ He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.

² They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.

³ He said to the man who had his hand withered, “Stand up.”

⁴ He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent.

⁵ When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

⁶ The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Rules and regulations; that is all the religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew. This sort of thinking was all about obedience and although I would like to think their hearts were right with God, it is plain from verses 5 and 6 above that they were NOT.

Yet, the Pharisees were supposed to not only know the letter of the Law, but its intent as well. Jesus knew their hearts and performed this miracle in spite of their spiritual condition. When Jesus’ actions conflicted with their state of mind and attitudes, they did what all evil men do- they conspired to destroy the opposition.

Today, I spent some time reflecting upon something I should have been doing and have not. I realized that I was wrong and have made steps to change. You see, I really don’t want Jesus ( the lion of the tribe of Judah ) looking at my life and being exasperated ( or even worse-angry ).

How about you? Anything wrong in your life? If your reflections reveal the need to change, don’t put it off- just do it! I don’t know about you, but I am glad that the God I worship is a forgiving one! Continue in your attempts to follow God more closely and you will be blessed for both your attitude and actions. Believe this, because its TRUE!

Superman by Gary Rose

^{I grew up in the 50’s and those days seem so very simplistic compared to today’s environment. And the TV, it was actually in black and white and we only had THREE CHANNELS ( when reception was unusually good ). I liked many different westerns, but more than them all, I loved Superman. I couldn’t wait until that show came on and would do everything I could to watch it. Superman was the embodiment of everything about America in those days; goodness, justice and the American way. He fought evil and always won and his motives were always selfless and pure. What a TV show!}

^{Today, I saw the picture at the top and thought about Jesus being a SUPERMAN. No, not in the sense of being from another planet, but rather, being in perfect harmony with his heavenly father. Jesus was perfect in all aspects of his humanity and beyond that- He was ( is ) God in human form. In addition to all that he had genuine power. Power of the mind, of the will and power in this world and beyond. It would take several very large books to describe it all, so I will use only one passage from the Bible. Consider this passage from the book of Revelation…}

^{The Bible says...}

^{Revelation 19 ( World English Bible )}

¹¹ I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

¹² His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.

¹³ He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”

¹⁴ The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.

¹⁵ Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

¹⁶ He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Jesus, now there is a real superman. He goes beyond just waging war on evil; he alone is the “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Ultimately, he utterly defeats ALL OPPOSITION to God’s will. Not just the physical aspect of evil, but he overcomes all the spiritual aspects as well- every single thing that refuses to obey God is defeated, period.

With all of the above, Jesus loves us all. Reread John 3:16 and think about it- perfection, utter perfection.

Jesus is the only genuinely Super, Superman that has ever lived. Obey him and live, disobey and eventually suffer eternal punishment. With that in mind, do whatever you have to do to be right with God and do it NOW. You will be glad you did; eternally!