A DESERT PLACE!

 

Saturday, January 31, 2026

 

A DESERT PLACE!

 

Mark 6:31-32

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

 

The Greek word for “desert” in verse 32 is eremos and the literal interpretation is lonesome. The desert place was not a place in the desert because they reached it by ship! No, the desert place was a place without people! It was a place without demands and duties although the duties remained and the demands cried out. They withdrew for renewal.

 

Renewal and restoration are not luxuries. They are essential. Being alone and resting for a while is not selfish. It is Christlike. Taking your day off each week or rewarding yourself with a relaxing, refreshing vacation is not carnal. It's spiritual. There is absolutely nothing enviable or spiritual about a coronary or a nervous breakdown, nor is an ultra-busy schedule necessarily the mark of a productive life.  Charles R. Swindoll

 

Our “quiet time” is that desert place whether it is in the morning before others rise or at night after others have retired; it is a place where we get alone with the everlasting God. Every believer needs this time to reflect, to worship and acknowledge God and to be refreshed. What a tremendous resource we have in the everlasting God.

 

Dear Lord, many of us begin this day still weary from yesterday’s labor. Renew our strength. Some have worked until their physical strength is nearly gone. Renew their strength. Some have cared for others until their spirits are numb. Let them mount up with wings. Let them run and not be weary. We trust in Thee, everlasting God. AMEN

 

FREEDOM IS COSTLY

 

Friday, January 30, 2026

 

FREEDOM IS COSTLY

 

Rom 6:20-22

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

 

          Subtle differences make the two words “free” very different indeed. In the Greek, the first “free” is the word eleutheros and means “to go at pleasure.” The second “free” is eleutheroo which is a similar but different word means “exempt from moral, ceremonial, or mortal liability.”

 

          The New Testament was written to a culture in which slavery was common. Paul dealt with the social problems relating to how a slave and a slave owner should treat one another if both became believers in Christ. It is easy to imagine that a once rebellious slave might become docile, and a once harsh owner might become kind. Knowing Jesus should make such a difference. Today’s offended “cancel culture” would disavow the whole teachings of the New Testament because it does not openly condemn slavery but that was never its intent. The Bible was written not to control politics but to convert souls.

 

          You need to know that your free ticket to heaven is not free at all. It was purchased by the sufferings of the Son of God. It was a horrible price that He willingly paid because he saw value in you. Paul explained that, now that we have been made free from moral liability, we are free to serve Christ willingly.

 

1 Cor 6:20

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

Thank you, Lord, for paying a price I could not pay. AMEN

 

NOT MANY!

 

Thursday, January 29, 2026

 

NOT MANY!

 

1 Cor 1:26-29

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 

Ø Not many wise sophos or clear.

Ø Not many mighty dunatos, powerful or capable.

Ø Not many noble eugenes, well born or high in rank.

Ø We might also add “not many rich.”

 

There is a verse that seems to fit well here also.

 

1 Tim 6:17

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

 

          I am not as wise as I would like to be and there has been too little time and money to gather diplomas and degrees for my wall. I am not particularly skilled in the tradesman’s arts and I was born of simple but hard-working people who endured the Great Depression. I’m not rich. I belong to a band of simple, common believers in a great God.

 

          Have you ever wondered why God refuses to bless His children with all these things? Wouldn’t we be more effective in our witness and our work if we had great education, wisdom, and wealth? Could we not be more influential if we were high born aristocrats? If we were rich, the work could move along much more quickly than it does.

 

          Certainly, God is able to give all these things to His children. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and could surely spare one or two. He could lay bags of gold at the doors of believers if He wanted to. He sent quails to feed the children of Israel in the wilderness – they ate so much that it came out their noses. Why does God keep us down, dumb, and poor?

 

          God knows that our sinful nature could not handle great wisdom, station, or wealth. We would become haughty, arrogant, proud, and stingy. We would not thank Him for any of the blessings and would think of God as useless. We remain dependent upon His wisdom, His ability, and His supplies because it is simply best. God does all things well.

 

Prov 3:5-10

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

 

Dear Lord, I have you and that is enough. I thank you that a great store of wisdom and wealth is dispensed to me as I need them. Help me to be a good and thankful steward. AMEN

 

REVIVE US AGAIN!

 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

 

REVIVE US AGAIN!

 

2 Tim 1:6

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

 

An old man, stooped and sore, slowly rises to approach the fireplace on a damp and chilly night. The fire which once was roaring slowed to a flicker and no longer warms the bones. He draws back the screen and with the long iron poker he stirs the ashes. Wearily, he reaches for another dry log and then another and places them just so upon the coals. He then takes the bellows and blows fresh air upon the embers not to blow them out but to blow them into new life. Ah, soon the new wood becomes part of the old fire and once again the comfort of a roaring fire is felt upon the old man’s back.

 

The Fire goes out through neglect!

 

In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is worthy of notice that it is to Timothy himself the exhortation is addressed. We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. It is ours from Him, but we let it lie dormant, as a slumbering ember merely. Often, we are aware of the slowly dying fire inside us, but the chill has not provided sufficient motivation to rise from our comforts and to stir and stoke the flames. The chill becomes increasingly uncomfortable, but we will not move until it becomes unbearable. (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

 

The Fire Requires Fuel!

 

Heb 2:3

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

 

Ø Bible study, both public and personal provides the fuel for revival.

Ø Contact with other believers through worship at church is essential. A lone log will not burn well in the fireplace.

 

A Fire Requires good ventilation – Fresh Air!

 

Acts 2:2-3

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 

Prayer is essential if revival is to come!

 

A Fire Requires Heat!

 

Jer 23:29

29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

 

Buried deep inside the chilled ashes of the ordinary believer is a spark that longs to be fanned into new life. It calls to us and challenges our carelessness. We dismiss it but it remains. We ignore it but it still burns deep inside. It is that FIRST LOVE we once shared with the Savior. 

 

Rev 2:4

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 

The two-fold remedy for those who had left their first love was to REPENT and to REMEMBER. If we would abandon our sins and remember the joy of a fervent relationship with Christ, then revival will come. Let us pray earnestly for it!

 

Dear Lord, there is a longing deep inside for something more in my relationship with you. I know that I am to blame. Blow upon me with your breath and rekindle the fire of revival in me. AMEN

 

GRACE OR WORKS?

 

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

 

GRACE OR WORKS?

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

This is another of my favorite portions of scripture. It makes you think. It stretches your mind. It begins with grace and ends with works! Maybe that’s the way it should be!

 

In the English New Testament grace is always a translation of (charis), a word that occurs in the Greek text over 170 times and in both Biblical and secular Greek it is used with far more meanings than can be represented by any one term in English. But the word has abundant use in secular Greek in the sense of unmerited favor, and Paul seized on this meaning of the word to express a fundamental characteristic of Christianity.

n  International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

 

For the Apostle Paul, GRACE was defined by experience.

 

Acts 9:1-5

9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance].  AMPLIFIED

 

Paul’s spiritual and emotional condition remained vile and violent. He travelled with evil authority, letters from the high priest. He was obsessed with a wicked intent, to bring believers into captivity. SUDDENLY, and without any initiation of goodness on his part, the resurrected and glorified Jesus met Paul and CHANGED him forever. That is grace!

 

But our original portion ends with the words… a peculiar people, zealous of good works. What about that? How do we reconcile the seemingly opposite aspects of grace and works? Well, one is the prod and the other is the product!

 

Put on your thinking cap because Adam Clarke explains it this way.

 

Jesus gave his life for the world, and thus has purchased men unto himself; and, having purchased the slaves from their thralldom, he is represented as stripping them of their sordid vestments, cleansing and purifying them unto himself that they may become his own servants, and bringing them out of their dishonorable and oppressive servitude, in which they had no proper motive to diligence and could have no affection for the despot under whose authority they were employed. Thus redeemed, they now become his willing servants and are zealous of good works-affectionately attached to that noble employment which is assigned to them by that Master whom it is an inexpressible honour to serve.

n  Adam Clarke's Commentary

 

More simply put – Jesus purchased us away from a cruel and abusive master, cleaned us up, healed our wounds of abuse and gave us honorable assignments. What servant would not joyfully engage in labor for such a kind Master as Jesus? So, beginning with GRACE we engage in WORKS.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for purchasing me away from a cruel task master and giving me duties that are a joy to perform! AMEN

 

HE FEELS IT TOO!

 

Monday, January 26, 2026

 

HE FEELS IT TOO!

 

"In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them: and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old."-- Isa_63:9.

 

 

He knows the misery and pain of illness!

 

Beyond the physical pain of the illness itself, there is the fact that we must temporarily assign our duties to others or else leave them undone. There are the sleepless nights and the inactivity and loneliness of the long days while our bodies recover. We become needy and fear that we are a burden to others. We become concerned that important things will not fare well without our personal attention. We feel helpless and weak. This is illness, and we have all felt it from time to time.

 

He knows what it is like to be poor!

 

The pain of unemployment or “underemployment” has brought some to difficult circumstances. He knows what it is like to have nowhere to lay His head. He knows what it is like to draw coins from the fishes mouth, to scrape the bottom of the barrel for meal and to drain the cruse of oil of its last drop. He knows when the rent is due and the faces of our children show the pinch of deprivation. He feels it too!

 

He knows the pain of unfriendly friends!

 

He knows what it is like to see a multitude of followers dwindle to a handful. He has asked “Will ye also go away?” He knows what it is like to stand upon principles and lose companions because of it – or simply to have those leave your company who expected a product you were not manufacturing. He knows what it is like to be “unfriended.”

 

He knows the struggle of temptation!

 

He has felt the pang of hunger and desire and declared that man shall not live by bread alone. He was in all points tempted like we are – yet without sin.

 

Dear Jesus, I can face the afflictions of this day at least knowing that you know. Thank you for being my companion in trials and the abundant provision of my needs. Come quickly to help when we need you. AMEN

 

CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

 

Sunday, January 25, 2026

 

CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

 

1 Cor 12:25-26

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

 

Luke 10:33-35

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

          What would it be like to be truly carefree? What would it be like to have no anxiety about anything or anyone? Our first response, I think, is always wrong because we think it would be heavenly. Upon further contemplation, however, we would discover that we love only ourselves and that all our pleasant things no longer satisfy us. God built into each one of us the capacity to care. The first man – even before Eve – was given the task of naming all the animals and “taking care” of the perfectly formed garden. Man without a care is not so carefree after all.

 

          The word and concept of “care” is different in our two portions this morning. The word used in Corinthians which talks about mutual care of each other is the Greek word merimnao and means “to be anxious about or to take thought.” The idea is that someone is on my mind and that I desire them to be happy, healthy and well looked after. Now, imagine that there is nothing or nobody in your heart that causes you to care! It is hard to wrap your mind around the concept, isn’t it? We care for our spouses, our children, our friends and a host of others. It means that we have the capacity to love someone other than ourselves. Thank God for that!

 

          In the story of the Good Samaritan the word care is the Greek word epimeleomai and means “to minister to someone physically or practically.” This is when concern springs into action. It is always costly! The Samaritan cared because he had compassion. He felt the pain of another. He allowed himself to be inconvenienced and to suffer a small financial loss. It was not an investment – it was a gift!

 

          God gave us the capacity to care and the energy to do something about that concern. He knows that when we minister to others it costs us something physically, psychologically and often financially. However, he does not want us to be burdened down with care. 1 Peter 5:7 invites us to “Cast all our care upon him; for he cares for us.” In this verse the idea of care is that we are distracted. When it gets too heavy give it to Him.

 

          Is someone heavy on your mind? Pray for them! Do they have a need? Minister to them in a practical way! Is it so heavy it is driving you to distraction? Give it to Jesus!

 

Dear Lord, I care for many of my friends and loved ones this morning. When possible, let me minister to them in a practical way. When the burden gets too heavy, please lift my load. Thank you. AMEN

 

HE SEES OUR STRUGGLE!

 

Saturday, January 24, 2026

 

HE SEES OUR STRUGGLE!

 

Mark 6:45-51

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

 

          This is one of my favorite portions of Scripture! It is full of instruction regarding our struggle in this world and our relationship to Jesus. Let’s highlight a few things this morning.

 

          This voyage began as an act of obedience! The word “constrained” is the Greek anagkazo and means “to necessitate.” It was a command. Just because you are obedient does not guarantee a trouble-free journey. In fact, obedience can set off a torrent of opposition and trouble. The answer is not disobedience.

 

          Obeying God is sometimes inconvenient! The fourth watch, by Roman reckoning, is from 3am to 6am. These would be the hours the body and mind should be resting – not rowing.

 

          Jesus observes our struggles! “He saw them toiling!” I believe this is the only time the word “toiling” appears in the Bible! It is not sin to struggle. It is not a sign that God has left you alone. It is a sign that you are moving in a direction in opposition to the current. That lonely feeling is a desire for God to bring peace. He’s watching. Never forget that.

 

          Jesus may allow you to struggle for a while! “He would have passed by them!”  At first glance this seems cruel, but it was meant to encourage them. He was not going to ignore them but to show himself to them. As you struggle watch for signs of God.

 

          Nothing happened until they saw Jesus! Jesus observed them in their struggles, but nothing changed until they saw Him. Nothing happened until they cried out! They thought Jesus was a ghost, a phantasma, walking on the water. Perhaps the spirit of some poor sailor lost in such a storm as they were in. Their terror was not at seeing Jesus but in misunderstanding what they were seeing. Ignorance is terrifying.

 

          Jesus spoke immediately! Verse 50 says: “And immediately He talked with them.” He did not return the shout! He spoke what I think were soothing words. “Calm down boys. Everything will be alright. Quit screaming like a bunch of girls.” Well, maybe not those exact words, but something that would have calmed them and given them courage.

 

          Jesus identified himself! He said: “It is I; be not afraid.” At some point in your struggle; probably at the point of panic; Jesus will identify himself to you. You will be convinced at His presence. You will know it will be alright even as the wind continues to blow.

 

          Jesus joined them! He went up into the ship. The result was that the wind settled down and the sea became calm. The disciples were completely amazed. The word “wondered” means “to admire.” The result of all their struggles was that Jesus was elevated in their opinion. They had suffered no loss or damage, but Jesus had become larger than life. Let this be the result of all your struggles today.

 

Dear Jesus, reveal yourself to all those who struggle today and relieve them. AMEN