Serve

Serve

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

 S - Scripture: 

Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

O - Observation: 

The Jews were expecting that Jesus would be a King who would save them from the oppression of the Romans, but instead he talked about being a humble servant and even giving His life for many! What kind of King was this? Zechariah 9:9 Behold your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey. John 1:12 He came that all who received Him, that all who believed in His name, He gave the right to be children of God. Jesus came to serve with all that He had, His Life! His life for ours! What a King, what a Servant, what a Savior!!

A - Application: 

Jesus set an example in service to others that we cannot emulate, but as His children, we can help others we can share the gifts God has given to us and most of all we can share His Holy and Saving Word. Participating in Christian fellowship and worship, greeting our neighbor, reaching out to those in need and supporting and doing missions are all ways to SERVE. Can I improve in my SERVING?

P - Prayer: 

Gracious Father, you have blessed us with the knowledge of Jesus, help us SERVE a dying world by doing and sharing as You have taught us. In Jesus Name, Amen

Your life's verse - Memorize it!!

S – Scripture

Mark 12 v. 30  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength.

 

O – Observation

Jesus wants us all. Notice that He starts from the core and works his way out.  First and foremost, he want’s our Hearts. Our heart is what drives us. Where we place it is key. Matthew 6 v. 21 says, "For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

 

A – Application

Where is my treasure? What is my priority? Do I have a strong heart for my treasure? What can I do to strengthen it? Walk with the Lord, ask him to bless me with Faith.

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me. Strengthen me to love you with all my heart, soul and body. Love Will.

Be aware of views that dilute the truth

S – Scripture

Mark 12 v. 24 Jesus said to them, “Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures not the Power of God?”

 

O – Observation

Jesus said this right after the Sadducees, a religious group that kind of blended the Jewish religion with their own interpretation. They were trying to trick or disapprove Jesus. Jesus started his rebuttal with this statement. Makes me think about how political correctness start to muddy the Christian waters. I think of the current trend towards Pluralism, Coexist with all the religions. The thought process of – If God is good, why do bad things happen. All muddying the water!!!

 

A – Application

As the Christian waters get muddied with World views how can I know the scriptures? Do I use them as the basis of my life? Do I recognize the Power of God?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to know your scriptures and your power. Love Will

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Give to God the things that are God's

S – Scripture

Mark 12 v. 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s.

 

O – Observation

So what is Caesar’s? The world. Money. Property. Civic Duty. What is God’s? Psalm 24 v. 1, “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.” God created us. He want’s us. We need to render to God our Hearts, Minds and Souls. How do we do this? By living our lives Holy (separate) from the world. We need to run from the evil intents of this world. We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus the Author and perfector of our Faith.

 

A – Application

How am I rendering to God? The Loves of a cheerful giver. Am I cheerful?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus,  Help me to be cheerfully render to you what is yours. Love Will.

Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash

Put your trust in the cornerstone of Jesus

S – Scripture

Mark 12 v. 9a  What will the owner of the vineyard do?

 

O – Observation

This parable is clearly about our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus. I like this question. What does our Heavenly Father do? He sent numerous people to share the good news. He is patient. His loving, he sent his only Son. He is slow to anger since all these people were killed and he didn’t step in and annihilate them all. Finally, our Heavenly Father is just. When he comes back, he will punish those that had killed his servant’s and his Son.

 

A – Application

Am I leading a life that will make the owner pleased? Am I putting my trust in the cornerstone of Jesus?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, My hope is built on nothing less, then you. Love Will.

Always check your motives

S – Scripture

Mark 11 v. 28 And they (scribes and elders) said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this ability to do them?”

 

O – Observation

This question was asked to trap Jesus. The scribes and elders wanted to get rid of Jesus. Why? Because he
was dramatically changing their world. They had positions of Power and Respect. Their egos’s were highly inflated.  Pride. That is the thing that God hates.  Proverbs 6 v. 16-17, “The Lord hates haughty eyes.” Since their question was driven out of pride and not a sincere desire to learn the truth, Jesus answers them with a question that they couldn’t answer. In fact it weakened their prideful position.  Check out Mark 11 v. 29-33 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+11%3A+29-33&version=NKJV

 

A – Application

What are my motives? Are they pure and servant like?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to seek you as a servant. Keep my heart pure for you. Love Will

Learn the discipline of prayer

 S – Scripture

Mark 11 v. 24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe the you have received it, and it will be yours.”

 

O – Observation

Prayer. Jesus wants us to pray. To talk to him. He wants us to have a personal relationship with him. What he really wants is our hearts. When we pray, are we just rattling off the words? Sometimes its true when I say the Lords’ prayer in church. I’ve said it so many times, I can recite it while thinking about other things.  When that happens the heart work is going out the door. I find my best prayer time to be in the morning when no one is wake and it is quite. Then I can give my words and heart full focus to Jesus.

 

A – Application

How disciplined am I in having prayer time with God? Am I allowing my mind to wonder or do I focus?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to be focused in my prayer time with you. Love Will

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Immanuel

Immanuel

Guest blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture:

Isaiah 7:14 KJV Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

O-Observation

Immanuel (God with us), you may think I’m late with this text, Immanuel is always in season in the lives of God’s people! Notice how Isaiah, inspired by God, catches our attention and sets this birth apart. BEHOLD A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE! God wanted to make sure the world knew this was no ordinary birth. Can you imagine the news headlines in today’s world? An important observation from all of this is that when God plan’s something big, it will never be ordinary. It will never be able to be explained by the most scientific or technological minds on earth. It is another proof that God is capable of anything and everything, because He is Sovereign.

A - Application: As we go about our daily tasks, I find it very comforting to know that our God is always with us. The last sentence in the book of Matthew says; “ And lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” “ IMMANUEL” One more thought about all of this, as AIC, prepares to go through a visioning process, let’s look not at ordinary endeavors that we as His people might think we can do on our own, but let’s prayerfully consider what God wants us to

do that may be beyond us, unless IMMANUEL is present every step of the way!

P - Prayer: Gracious Father, You sent Your only Son born of a virgin to be IMMANUEL, God with us. Wow, Lord I’m so grateful for all Jesus has done for us, most of all, made a way, the only way, for us to spend Eternity with You! “Oh come Oh Come Immanuel” In Jesus Name, Amen

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash 

Stand strong in the TRUTH of Jesus

S – Scripture

Mark 11 v. 18 And the chief priest and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teachings.

 

O – Observation

Just before this, Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the Holy City, and gone to the temple and physically went crazy on the people doing business in the temple, overturned tables and drove out money changers (the people selling the animals for sacrifices.  Why did he do this? Because the temple is a Holy place. Check out Leviticus 10 v. 1-3  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticus+10%3A+1-3&version=NKJV

People died in Moses time when they did not respect the Holy place. Leave it to Jesus to go Boldly into people’s strongholds, and turn it upside down. The temple was the center of Jerusalem. The crown jewel. The priests and scribes were esteemed people at that time. It’s not a wonder they wanted Jesus dead.

 

A – Application

Do I have the courage to go into the strongholds of the world and turn it upside down for Jesus sake?

P – Prayer

Jesus, Your courage, your conviction, Send some of that stuff my way. Love Will.

Be steady, stand firm in our approach to Jesus

S – Scripture

Mark 11 v. 9  And those who went before and those who followed cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

 

O – Observation

Psalm Sunday. I always find it interesting that those that sang praises about Jesus, were the ones a week
later, saying crucify him. I think that people can get caught up in the emotions of a crowd. Thus the influence of our peers. Based upon the mood of the crowd, people are loving or hating Jesus.

 

A – Application

Today, there is a lot of crowds that we participate in. Do we stand firm for what is right? Are we steady in our approach to Jesus?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me today and tomorrow, by myself and when in crowds to say, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Love Will.

Photo by Jake Weirick on Unsplash

The importance of reputation

S – Scripture

Mark 11 v. 6 And they told them what Jesus had said; and they let them go.

 

O – Observation

This happened when the disciples got a colt for Jesus. Think about it this way. Can you imagine, someone
coming up to you with a universal car key and then taking your car away? My wife’s convertible? But yet, they did. Why? Because they told them what Jesus said. By this time, I’m sure that they heard of all of his miracles, and his fame was spreading. So they trusted in Jesus. We can apply the same scenario today in our lives. First we build the reputation as Christians, (just like Jesus), then when the time is right (the Holy Spirit will lead us), we will go and tell them what Jesus said. Isaiah 55 v.11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void.”

 

A – Application

Am I building the reputation? Am I going when led?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus,  Help me to be a light to the world. Love Will

Inauguration Day - Go to God for your decisions

A special Deep Thought for Inauguration of Joe Biden

 

S - Scripture     

Proverbs 3 v. 5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

 

O - Observation

Source of Knowledge. It's God!!! It has to be. What happens when we start trusting in our own insight? A couple of things. 1. We inflate our own ego. Our own self  pride starts to increase. The need for God decreases. Pride is a killer. 2. Since we are sinners, we will generate imperfect decisions. They will be fallen just like we are. Sure they may look good for a season. But, seasons come and go. God's word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is living and true. Going to God and following what he tells us will make our paths straight. Just knowing the source is not enough, we need to trust it with all your heart. Trust is developed. Trust is a relationship. The best way to develop this relationship is to be in God's word on a daily basis.

 

A - Application  

Do I go to God for all my decisions? Big or Small? Am I developing a relationship with God?   

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thanks for your infinite wisdom. Encourage me to rely on you and not me. Love Will.  

Be persistent for Christ

 S – Scripture

Mark 10 v. 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

 

O – Observation

This verse comes from the story of the Blind beggar who heard that Jesus was walking past him. Once he
had an audience with Jesus, he cured him. Jesus told him that his faith had made him well. I can learn a lot from this guy, persistence. The crowd following Jesus told him to be quite, but he didn’t. In fact, he intensified his effort. The World today wants us to be quite. They don’t want to hear us calling to Jesus for help. They think we’re crazy or old fashion or weak.

 

A – Application

So what am I doing today? Am I crying out all the more in spite of what the world tells me to do?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Give me the faith of the blind man. Son of David, have mercy on me. Love Will

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MLK Day - God's Will - It's a great Plan for us.

A Deep Thought in honor of Martin Luther King.

 

S - Scripture     

Matthew  6 v. 10  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.      

 

O - Observation 

Thy will be done. What is God's will? We know that God wants Everyone to be saved. We know that God wants us to be in a relationship with him. We know that God wants us to bless his children. We know that God wants us to live in Love and Unity. Hmmmm.... If the world achieved that, it would be like... Heaven.

 

A - Application 

So... Am I helping or hindering God's will? What areas do I need some divine help on to complete God's will? 

 

P - Prayer   

Jesus, Use me as a tool to accomplish your will while I am on Earth.  Love Will.

Understand?

 

Understand? 

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can a man understand His way?

O - OBSERVATION:

Can we comprehend God’s purpose for our life? Do we know how long we will live and what we will be doing next year, 5 years from now, 10 years from now? Do we know if the world will be in existence 10 years from now? Will we be around to find out? What will AIC look like 10 years from today?

We could spend all of our time fretting about these questions, but ultimately only God knows the answer, so we in faith trust only in him. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on Him for He cares for you.

A - APPLICATION: 

This reminds me of Matthew 6:34 "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself." Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. In Matthew 6: 33 Jesus says: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. God will be with His people and will provide for them. For us, it’s a matter of walking in faith, the formula for a life without worry is to give our life over to Him, fully surrendering to His Grace and Divine Providence. When God is done with us here, eternal life with Him begins! John 3:16

P - PRAYER:

Gracious Father, you have promised to care for us, so we don’t need to understand Your ways, but simply trust You to care for us as we seek to follow after You. In Jesus Name, Amen 

Invest in the right thing

S – Scripture

Mark 10 v. 31  But many that are first will be last, and the last first.

O – Observation

Jesus clearly indicates that here will be two distinct periods of life. First our  current, temporary life. Ninety plus years if I’m lucky.  And then our eternal lives. It’s interesting to note that what we do in our temporary lives will have a great impact on our eternal lives. Jesus said earlier in Mark 9 v. 35, “To be first you must be last and a servant to all.” As I think about it, Life is kind of like college, how you invest in those four years will greatly impact the rest of your life. This is the same with our lives, how we invest our lives for Jesus will greatly impact the rest of our eternal lives. (It’s important to note, however good works does not save us. Nor should we be motivated to do things for Jesus just to improve our status in our eternal life. No we should do these things for Jesus because we want to. We want to show him our love.)

 

A – Application

How am I investing my time?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to be last on account of you. Love Will

With God All things are possible

S – Scripture

Mark 10 v. 26b-27  Then who can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

 

O – Observation

We can’t save ourselves. It’s only through the death and resurrection of Jesus, him dying for our place, defeating death that saves us. But knowing that is one thing. Think of all the people in Jesus time, that saw him yet couldn’t believe. Not only do we need God from a sacrifice point of view, but also from the believing point as well. In comes the Holy Spirit into our lives. He opens our eyes and heart to believe that Jesus is the only way to be saved. Jesus said whoever confess with their mouth and believes in their heart that Jesus is God will be saved.

 

A – Application

Am I trying to do it on my own? Do I recognize how desperately I need Jesus?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, With you, all things are possible. Send your Holy Spirit in me. Save me. Love Will.

Be a Child of God

S – Scripture

Mark 10 v. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

 

O – Observation

Childness?  What is it like to be a Child? As I think about it, it’s complete TRUST that your Dad and Mom will take care of you. It’s JOYFUL. Kids usually equal play. It’s INNOCENCE.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the pressures of the world, all the behind the scenes things that go on. House payments, jobs, politics, ect. I didn’t have to worry about those things when I was a kid.

 

A – Application

Am I trusting in Jesus? Am I Joyful in my Family of God? Am I worrying about how it all relates, or am I standing confident that God will take care of me?

 

P – Prayer

Heavenly Father, Help me to be a Child of yours. Thanks for being my Dad! Love Will.

Keep things together

S – Scripture

Mark 10 v. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let man not put asunder.

 

O – Observation

Jesus said these words in context of marriage. He makes it clear that Divorce is a bad thing. However, we can use this quote for other things as well. What else has God joined together? Here’s a couple. Psalm 139 v. 13, “For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Abortion. Murder. These are other things that God does not want us to do. Genesis 1 v. 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Evolution tears at this constantly.  Jesus died on the cross for me. The world does NOT want you to believe.  No, the world wants to separate your faith from God.

 

A – Application

Am I being bold? No more. I can’t stand and let man rip apart what God has joined together.

 

P – Prayer

Jesus,  You joined so many things together. Help me to keep them together. Love Will.

We are to add flavor to people's lives

S – Scripture

Mark 9 v. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves and be at Peace with one another.

 

O – Observation

Think about what Salt does. I can think of two things. 1) Adds flavor. 2) Preserves. How are we adding flavor or enhancing peoples lives? We do this by living our lives as Christians. We help people as Ambassadors for Christ, adding joy and peace to their lives. As Ambassadors for Christ it is our deep desire to save people from Hell by sharing the Good News. It’s also our responsibility to encourage one another and to help bring peace. Jesus said in Matthew 5 v. 9, “blessed are the Peace makers.”

 

A – Application

Am I being salty? Am I adding flavor to people’s lives?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus,  Help me to be filled with your Salt. Love Will.

Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash

Be a servant

S – Scripture

Mark 9 v. 35 And he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

 

O – Observation

As usual, God’s logic is illogical to the ways of a sin filled world. This was Jesus response to the disciples arguing amongst themselves who was the greatest among themselves. In todays world the most powerful/ influential are considered the greatest. There’s a fair amount of pride that comes with this position. But, God hates self pride. Thus he pushes us to be great by stripping our self pride away and humbling ourselves to be servants. Jesus said it is better to give than receive. The apostle Paul puts it well, “If I must boast – I will boast about God.”

 

A – Application

How’s my servanthood? Am I keeping my pride in check?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to be a servant to all. Love Will

Jesus

Jesus

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture:

Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.

O- Observation: 

These are the words of the angel spoken to Joseph as he wrestles with the news that Mary, his betrothed is with child. The angel tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child 

has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. But, what’s really important to us is; His Name shall be Jesus for he will save His people from their sins! The name Jesus means to deliver, or in this case to deliver us from the penalty of our sin. To save us! Only a Holy God would devise a plan like that with His only Son!

A - Application: 

This is the heart of the Gospel for us-Jesus saves those who repent and trust in Him. Each one of us, unless Christ comes first, will die. That’s the only way out of this world! But it’s not the end, rather it is, because of Jesus, the beginning of eternity with Him! Acts 4:12 KJV Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved! Also John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me! ONLY JESUS SAVES!!!

P- Prayer: Gracious Father, fill your people with Your Spirit, so that all may know that JESUS SAVES! In JESUS NAME, Amen 

Photo by Jason Betz on Unsplash

Ask God to strengthen your faith

S – Scripture

Mark  9 v. 23-24 And Jesus said to him, “All things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe. Help my unbelief.”

 

O – Observation

This is from the account of a dad who’s son was demon possessed. He knew that Jesus could “cure” his son. Jesus says, Sure all things are possible, and the dad uttered the all time classic line. "I believe. Help my unbelief.” Man, if that isn’t true today. So often we know that God is there and will help, but its kind of textbook knowledge versus first hand. Thus the cry, I believe. Help my unbelief. The fact that you call to Him to help strengthen your faith is a reflection of your faith. Jesus says, ask and it will be given to you. Asking for help with unbelief – God will respond – in spades.

 

A – Application

Do I really believe all things are possible? Do I ask for my faith to be strengthened?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus, I believe. Help me with my unbelief.  Love Will.