July 2011 – Page 4 – John Markum

My Personal Devotions: Mark 6

Posted on July 19, 2011 by johnmarkum

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. ² The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” ³ Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

⁴ Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” ⁵ And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. ⁷ And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. ⁸ He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. ⁹He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

¹⁰ “Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. ¹¹ But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

¹² So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. ¹³ And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.

My Thoughts:

People underestimated Jesus, some will underestimate me as well (v. 1-2)
Proximity to life change does not equal personal life change (v. 4).
My faithlessness limits God’s willingness to work through me (v. 5).
Jesus was consistent with what he taught (compare v. 8-9 to Luke 12:22-31).
Don’t be discouraged by the people who won’t listen to me (v. 11).
God will make my successful in everything He has called me to (v. 12-13).

Blessings,

John

Favorite Worship Music: “Your Love is Better than Life”

Posted on July 18, 2011 by johnmarkum

Next on the list, Your Love is Better than Life, by Steve Fee. I could easily pick 3-5 of his songs to put into this list. But for diversity sake, will try to make this more diversified. I love Fee’s music so much because, past the good sound he produces, he habitually makes Scripture part of his lyrics. This song comes from Psalm 63:3 “Your love is better than life itself; how I praise You!”

YOUR LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE (Music/Lyrics by Steve Fee)

Verse 1:

It’s too high to measure
It’s too great a treasure
Longer than forever
It’s inconceivable

Verse 2:

It’s big enough to live in
It’s deep enough is swim in
I’m breathing out just to breath it in
It’s over taken my soul

How high
How deep
How great is Your love for me
It’s making my heart sing

Chorus:

Your love, Your perfect has found me
It covers and surrounds me
Your love is better than life
And Your love, You loved me first and saved me
Rescued and it raised me
Your love is better than life

Verse 3:

It’s coming down like rain
It’s calling out my name
It’s causing me to love the same:
Unconditional

How high
How deep
How great is Your love for me
It’s making my heart sing

Chorus

Your love is better than life
King of love be glorified
Your love is better than life
King of love be glorified

Chorus

Your love is better than life
King of love be glorified
Your love is better than life
King of love be glorified

Watch/Listen to it here on youtube.

Buy it here on itunes.

Get the hard copy CD here.

Fake Christians

Posted on July 18, 2011 by johnmarkum

No the title is not redundant…

This weekend I preached at our Saturday night service, as usual, but also at our youth service, “Elevate”. I preached the same message as part of our series, “You Asked For It!” which I am teaming up with Pastor Craig Stevenson to tackle. I dealt with a question that was submitted:

“Why do Christians try so hard to act perfect?”

Great question. In short, I said that we all become fakers when we forget that character is more important than image. Whenever we behave hypocritically, we are telling ourselves that we care more about the opinions of others rather than the opinion of God. Then I gave the following 4 points about being a faker from Acts 4:32-37 and 5:1-11:

Attitude is more important than action. Because God cares more about what we are becoming than what we are doing.
When I’m hypocritical, I’m really only lying to 2 people: myself, and God. Neither of which lasts for long.
The truth eventually comes out. “Be sure your sin will find you out.”
God takes hypocrisy seriously. Two people died in this passage for being fakers. Imagine if God treated fakers in the church the same way today!

The good news: God already knows what I’m trying to hide from others. He’s aware of my habits, my past, my baggage, my failures, and fears… and loves me still. I don’t have to be a faker. God loves me – faults and all. But He wants us to drop the act, be real, and allow Him to make us more like Jesus. So what do you say… ready to put the mask down?

Blessings,

John