Verse of the Day 4/25

Through the Bible - 2 Samuel 15-16. Luke 21:1-19

Good morning,
This morning we'll return to the church sign, or the thought behind the sign that one of our High School students shared a couple of weeks ago. "Don't use God, ask God to use you".
For today's verse we'll go to Mark chapter 10 where Jesus has shared with his disciples, for the second time, how he was to be mocked, scourged, spit upon, put to death and rise again.
What follows is amazing, at least remarkable. Before reading it, what would you think that the disciples would ask for after hearing such a statement? What would you pray for (be honest)?
Here is their first recorded request:
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
Isn't that how we come to God in many of our prayers? As if we had God, or Jesus in a bottle that we can open up to grant our wishes. When you think about it, it sounds pretty much like the "prosperity gospel".
The disciples desires may have been for success in ministry with the recognition that would come along with it. Many of us may have that type of desire.
What should our prayer be? Think back to that church sign, can you, will you, instead of using God, ask God to use you, for His glory? His alone?
Today's verse comes from the end of the passage:
Mark 10:43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. NKJV
How can you be His servant today? On the ground, on the street, in the car, at Harris Teeter, in the yard, at school, at work, over lunch, on the phone, blogging, text messaging, in airplanes sharing the "good news" of what God has done for you. Having the joy "down in your heart" even in difficult, trying circumstances.
Remember who God is, what Jesus did and let it show in your life today.
In Christ,
Mike
33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Greatness Is Serving

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is no t Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”