February 23rd deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 14:1-57 / Mark 6:30-56 / Psalm 40:1-10 / Proverbs 10:11-12

Standout verse:
Mark 6:51-52
“Then He went up into the boat to them and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves because their heart was hardened.”

That very day Jesus had fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish – an unbelievable miracle to witness! The people must have been in a state of mild shock at having experienced such great and supernatural provision. That same night, the disciples were in their boat crossing back over the sea while Jesus remained on the mountain to be in solitude and prayer with the Father. After He had finished, Jesus went to join the disciples. Defying all rules of nature, He walked toward them on the water! He found them in an anxious situation struggling against the strong and threatening winds. When they saw Him, they were terrified and thought He was a ghost. As He approached the boat, immediately the winds ceased. Once again they were amazed by what He had done – once again they were in shock!

Why were they so greatly amazed that the same man they had seen day after day healing hundreds even thousands of people - the blind, demon-possessed, and lame (even raising people from the dead!) - was now walking toward them on the water? Remember, the feeding of the 5,000 had just happened that day!

With each new challenge, each new illness and each new complicated situation that presented itself, the disciples insecurely waited to see what would happen instead of boldly believing, REMEMBERING the power they had experienced countless times and standing in expectant faith watching to see what Jesus would do next.

Jesus is calling us to approach challenges, complicated situations and the unknown with strong and certain faith – even excitement and anticipation about how He will provide, deliver or create.

Let’s approach each new struggle, challenge and cliff-hanger in our lives with great anticipation, wonder and excitement at how the Lord will provide. May we find ourselves saying “Lord, I’ve got no idea what You have in store for this situation, but I stand on Your Word, Your truth and Your past history of abundant provision and I CAN’T WAIT to see what You have planned!”

February 22nd deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 13:1-59 / Mark 6:1-29 / Psalm 39:1-13 / Proverbs 10:10

Standout Verse:

Psalm 39:4

“Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am”.

This verse, or rather this prayer, is a request for a heavenly perspective. David wasn’t interested in knowing how old he'd be when he died. Rather, he realized that he needed to think about his current circumstances and respond with the end of his life in mind.

This verse should prompt us to ask questions like “what kind of life am I living?  Am I truly trusting God? Am I following Him with my whole heart? Am I allowing Him to lead me into His best for my life?.....for my marriage?....for my parenting?....for my relationships?....for my work?”

Hopefully, as we stop and ponder these big questions, we’ll hear the Lord speak to our hearts.  It’s never too late to make right choices and right changes to get back on track with Him.  His heart for us is that we’ll be able to say with confidence "Yes - I did my best to seek Him, hear His voice, obey Him, trust Him with my life and with the precious things He's given me to take care of."

Lord, just as David asked "Make us know our end, help us maintain perspective on this life in light of the next. We know that the only way to do this is to keep our eyes fixed firmly on You."

February 21st deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 11:1-12:8 / Mark 5:21-43 / Psalm 38:1-22 / Proverbs 10:8-9

Standout verse:
Mark 5:35-36
“While he was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

The story surrounding these verses does not suggest that we deny reality, or live under some kind of power of positive confession.  As Christians we can bravely face reality knowing our Heavenly Father is right beside us.  He loves us, He can be trusted, and can do far more than we could dream of as we walk step by step with HIm.

Jairus’ friends came to him and told him to give up on Jesus because they thought that He was able to heal the sick, but not able to raise the dead! They were wrong! We must be watchful of the voices we listen to and not be intimidated, at times even well meaning people will tell us to not take this “seeking after Jesus thing” too far.

Jesus can and will do miracles in our lives and the lives of those around us if we keep walking with Him and obey His words “Do not be afraid: only believe.” Even when circumstances look impossible and if/when people say our faith is “a bit too much”, we mustn’t be discouraged. Rather, we need to be fully tuned into what the Lord is saying to us and confidently stand on His truth and promises.

Keep rising and seeking hard after Him, keep praying, keep walking your days out with Him in the lead, do not be swayed and do not be afraid!

February 20th deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 9:1-10:20 / Mark 4:26-5:20 / Psalm 37:29-40 / Proverbs 10:6-7

Standout Verse:

Mark 4: 37-40

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him "Do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are continually practicing our responses to life situations. When crazy circumstances arise and the winds of life pick up and become threatening, we react from one of two places: FAITH or FEAR.

We need to practice being people who live by faith and not by human sight or understanding. We want out FIRST response (our knee jerk reaction) to be one of faith -  faith in Jesus who has proved Himself to be trust worthy time and time again.

Lord we want the knee jerk responses of our hearts and minds to be that we trust You in all of life's situations. Help us practice being faith-filled.  We want the first response of our hearts to please Your heart.

February 19th deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:

Leviticus 7:28-8:36 / Mark 3:31-4:25 / Psalm 37:12-28 / Proverbs 10:5

Standout Verse: Mark 4:18 (The Parable of the sower)

“Now these are the ones that are sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the Word and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter and choke the Word and it becomes unfruitful.  But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty and some a hundred.”

This is such an applicable picture to the here and now.  As the truth of God’s Word is heard, several things can happen:

1. As soon as it is heard it is forgotten (the birds ate it up – verse 4)

2. It is given no real thought or time and never takes root (the stony ground – verse 5).

3. Many of us are in the third category.  We've heard the truth of God and we've believed it.  We may have asked Him into our lives and committed to walk with Him.  But, as time has gone on, we’ve become distracted and too busy.  The cares of the world (finances, position, relationships, disappointments, or pain) have come into our hearts and minds and have extinguished our once burning fire for the Lord.  Instead of growing, thriving, and bearing great fruit, we feel empty, and hopeless.

4. The fourth category is God’s heart for each one of us!  He wants our fire for Him and His awesome truth to be set ablaze.  He loves us madly and wants us to love Him and walk with Him every single day in whole-hearted devotion.  Life isn’t always easy – sometimes it’s intensely painful.  However, when we live our lives deeply rooted in Him, He will give us strength, peace, unspeakable joy, (even in difficult days) and we will be fruitful – so awesome!!