February 16

Leviticus 1:1-3:17, Mark 1:29-2:12, Psalm 35:17-28, Proverbs 9:13-18 



Pray: Jesus healed lots of people in Biblical times. We see just a few examples in our New Testament lesson today. Perhaps, like many do, you have a tendency to read about these healings and say to yourself, “Well, that’s what happened in the Bible, but it just doesn’t work that way anymore.” If that’s you, sadly you’re not alone. Let me remind you of something you already know: the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He still wants to heal. Pray to Him and bow down before Him and watch what the Lord can do.

Read: We read in the Old Testament about how to make the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings. One thing that stands out in this reading is the importance of offering to the Lord our best (“no defects…choice flour”). What is the Lord speaking to you when you read this? Is it about what you offer to the Lord? Is it something else? In the New Testament we read of Jesus’ healing and preaching. It’s amazing to me the great lengths that people went to just to hear the Word of God and to receive healing from Him. How far are you willing to go for Him? The Psalmist cries out for help from God and he wants to honor those who have helped him: “…give great joy to those who came to my defense…” (v27). Are there people in your past, or perhaps even now, who should receive some honor? Proverbs warns us of danger. As you read today, allow this Word to sink deep into your heart and mind…memorize it! There will be a time when Folly will pass in front of us. If we're not careful and intentional, she may just get our attention.

Edify: “I never meant for this to happen.” “I don't know how I got here.” “I don't even know who I am anymore.” At this point, the offense(s) has already happened. People are in shock. But, we really shouldn't be so shocked...at least not if we took Proverbs 9:13-18 seriously. It is directly speaking of sexual temptation, but could easily be related to any type of temptation. Most troubling here is, “She calls out to men [and women] going by who are minding their own business” (v15). Evil, and his destructive sister, Folly, are not passive…they are aggressive! They wish to destroy good men and women, tear apart families, wreck careers, and bankrupt relationships. All who give in to their beckoning are “dead” (v18). Don’t give in to her, no matter how attractive she may make it seem. How do you resist? Keep reading the Scriptures! Pray! Be in fellowship with other Christians! Attend worship! Be generous! These things will help to keep you on guard.

Practice: Do you know someone who does not yet know Christ? What have you done to get them to Jesus? That’s the conviction I receive when I read Mark 2:1-12. A man who desperately needed to meet Jesus, luckily, had some friends. They knew the importance of getting their friend in front of Jesus. In fact, they must have been watching the DIY Network, because they tore the roof off of the house! That seems a bit extreme, doesn't it? Would you say it is extreme if the end result is your friend finally got to meet Jesus? What’s a roof when compared to an encounter with the Living Christ, the Son of God? These guys would stop at nothing because they had a friend who needed to meet the Lord. What is stopping you from getting your friend, your coworker, your spouse, your family member, or your neighbor in front of the Risen Christ?