Mark 13:37- Stay Awake

Stay Awake

In Mark 13:32-37, Jesus is speaking about being ready and "awake" in a spiritual sense. He is talking about his return (after crucifixion and after ascension). Jesus is saying that no one knows, not even the angels and not even he knows when that return will be. Earlier in the chapter in verses 24-27, he speaks on signs that will indicate the time is near or has come. He compares it to knowing summer is near when a fig tree sprouts leaves and branches become tender. He is reminding us that when the moon will not give its light and the stars are falling from heaven, they will see the son of man (Jesus) coming in clouds with great power and glory.

In the last few verses of the chapter Jesus tells us to stay awake and ready. But he uses the word "awake" several times, four times to be exact (other translations use watch). There must be a reasons for that. Have you ever spiritually fallen asleep? You were on fire for God and passionate about serving and learning and in fellowship with believers, but then "life" happens and passion is lost from those parts of life? You spiritually fell asleep. We put off spiritual growth for other priorities. Time to wake up!

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Mark 11:23-24- Faith to Move Mountains

Faith to Move Mountains

Sometimes I don't pray and I just complain. I gripe. I moan. I grumble. I tell friends the issue, but I "forget" to pray. I put forget with quotations because I did not actually forget. I have become accustomed to doing things that way. I try to figure it out. There is nothing wrong with using your God given problem solving ability to figure out some of your issues. But, what about using that ability to speak to God and pray?

In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus curses a fig tree that was no longer producing any fig (fruit). It wasn't doing what it was supposed to do. It wasn't doing it's job. It was useless. Just sitting there looking pretty with leaves. After he cleansed the temple from the "thieves" in verses 15-19, he and the disciples walked by the fig tree that he had cursed and they saw that it had withered to its roots. He uses this moment to teach them to have faith in God. He says that you can tell a mountain to to be thrown into the sea and it will if you do not have a a doubt in your heart. Bam! Right there, he said a "doubt in his heart."

When we pray about our mountains (money, relationship issues, living situations, jobs, health) do we really pray with that kind of faith? Do we have doubts? Then when the prayer is not answered we think God is ignoring us. But, if we read and seek to understand and have faith that God is not only listening but truthful in fulfilling his promises.

He follows up this command by also saying that when we pray we are also to forgive any trespasses (wrong doing) against us by other people. In school, we are not encouraged to get F's, but here Jesus wants us to have F's with Faith and Forgiveness (see what I did there?) How can God here our prayer and come through to move the mountain if we do not believe that He will and when we have bitterness and an unforgiving heart toward others.

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