July 2011 – Page 3 – John Markum

Honor the Sabbath

Posted on July 23, 2011 by johnmarkum

In Exodus 20, God commands the people of Israel to “Honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” Ever since, there has been confusion as to what exactly He meant by that.

First of all, the word holy simply means “set apart.” And God even tells us in Exodus 20:11 the exact reason for telling us to “set apart” one day per week:

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day He rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

Bottom line: Don’t try to out work God. Take time to slow down, recharge, and focus on the important things. Like God, family, health, and your sanity.

By the time you get to the New Testament, the religious leaders of Jesus time had created hundreds of laws regarding how to “Honor the Sabbath.” When they find Jesus doing everything from healing the sick and getting food on the Sabbath day, they totally lose it! Jesus points out that any of them would pull their ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath, but they cry foul when Jesus healed a cripple man. How does that make sense?

In our crazy-paced, American, consumerism mentality, it is so easy for us to use busyness as an excuse for everything:

Sorry I didn’t make it to your wedding. I had to work.
Sorry I was late for work. I had a doctors appointment.
Sorry I was late for my appointment. My babysitter took forever to get there.
Sorry I need you to watch my kids early, I have a bunch of errands to run.

I’ve heard the full gambit of reasons that people put God on hold. But God doesn’t just want you to make time with Him a priority. He wants you to make time for yourself.

Do you have a regular, weekly day to escape the crazy break-neck pace of life? If not, how long do you expect to make it at this pace? Even if it doesn’t kill you, how much are you actually enjoying life, and all the gifts of God has given you to slow down and enjoy from time to time?

“Man was not made for the Sabbath day, but the Sabbath day for man.” – Jesus (Mark 2:27)

Take one day a week even if it’s not Saturday. Slow down. Appreciate what you’ve accomplished in the past week. Prepare yourself for the next week. God wants you to chill.

Blessings,

John

Favorite Worship Music: “The Stand”

Posted on July 20, 2011 by johnmarkum

This is a newer favorite. The first time I heard this song was by our youth band, who by the way, is hands-down the best youth band on earth. And, no. That’s not an exaggeration. At any rate, the song is “The Stand.” And it’s just this powerful anthem of worship that is awesome to sing with hundreds of followers of Jesus. It’s written by Joel Houston of Hillsong United. If anyone from Hillsong has ever written a bad worship song, I haven’t heard it! PLEASE listen to this one. You’ll be glad you did.

THE STAND (music/lyrics by Joel Houston – Hillsong United)

Verse 1:

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

Verse 2:

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

Verse 3:

So I’ll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
And what can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You (x 2)

Chorus:

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

(Repeat chorus x 2)

______

Watch it here on youtube.

Buy it here on itunes.

Buy the CD here from Family Christian.

You know you are mature enough to get married if…

Posted on July 20, 2011 by johnmarkum

You have a job and pay your own bills. Don’t make excuses. Just get a job!
You can put someone else’s needs before your own.
You are honest with yourself regarding the areas you need improvement.
(Guys) You are capable of leading a wife/family in the right direction.
(Ladies) You are humble enough to follow a man’s leadership without being a doormat.
You have a specific, high degree of certainty of what you want to do in life, and a realistic plan on how to get there.
You’re not trying to run from anything by getting married (i.e. your parents, job, ex, etc.)
You realize that you will not do everything perfect and neither will your spouse. In other words, you’re honest about your faults, and forgiving of your spouse’s.
You can communicate your emotions (guys) without being emotional (ladies).
You see compromises on non-moral issues as a win-win, because you got some of what you wanted, and made your better-half happy as well. Everything doesn’t have to be your way.