Ilent 2012
Church Without Shoes Pastors
Copyright 2012 by Church Without Shoes
Smashwords Edition
Table Of Contents
Chris Doi, Pastor
Japanese Christian Church – Walnut Creek
Matthew 18:10-14:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Through these verses, I truly see God’s unconditional love for those who are His own children. Like a loving parent, He allows me to make my mistakes, some which may have painful consequences. However, through the incredible grace shown to me through His Son Jesus, He patiently brings back His wayward child.
This passage shows me how easy it is to quickly judge a fellow brother or sister in Christ who falls away from our Lord in sin. I must always remember that I too am a sinner in need of God’s love and forgiveness. Praise God for that!
Bill Francis, Pastor
Morello Hills Christian Church – Martinez
John 17:1-8:
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have revealed you to those whom
you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me
and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you
have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me
and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from
you, and they believed that you sent me.
Even in Jesus (who is God himself), I can easily recognize that His core agenda was to carry out the work the Father gave to Him. Reading this wonderful prayer delivered by Jesus as He draws near to His death, allows the follower to see deeply into the motives of the heart of the Savior.
It is my challenge and privilege to model Jesus’ dependent heart toward the Father, and to one day be able to declare with Him, “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do.”
Lord, today as I interact with the people around me; may my actions reflect the heart of my Savior – to bring You glory. Amen
Doug Stevens, Pastor
The Leadership Connection – Bay Area
John 17:9-19:
All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
Jesus is heavily invested in me - and that’s a severe under-statement. What strikes me, and strengthens me, is His prayer for my protection. He’s protecting me just as He protected His original disciples. He hasn’t forgotten me or abandoned me. He’s still with me.
I am absolutely protected by “the power of His Name” and by “the truth of His Word.” Then, while I am kept completely safe, He sends me out into a hostile world to do His work. For me, this is the root of my confidence and the source of my courage. Jesus covers my risk. He’s thought of everything in advance of any threat. I go in His Name, armed with Scripture.
God is calling me to take heart. To take in His peace and joy because I’m claimed as His and perfectly secure. I am constantly reminded and reassured – and ready to step into the middle of a family’s conflict, to encourage leaders of a street ministry in Richmond, to go strong and without fear into Haiti. As long as I’m certain of this promise – of God’s presence protecting me.
Pete Woodward, Pastor
Faith Lutheran - Pleasant Hill
John 17:20-26:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
Seems to be Jesus’ evangelism plan—favoring His followers with a taste of His glory, and calling them to be united like Jesus is with His Father—all for the sake of helping a dull and divided world come to know what they are missing out on, i.e., Life with Him! Unity with Him! The joy of Grace! Eternal Glory!
I am one of those ones the Father “sent” to know Jesus (v. 25). It is time for me to also realize that my biases, sensitivities, pride, pretenses, and prejudices may possibly be standing in His way. And if, as I believe, that I have pretty much overcome those problems, then I wonder why His prayer? So, I must confront my prejudice. I will face up to my judgment that people have no interest in God by spending a half-day in downtown Pleasant Hill today, asking people what God means to them, and here’s my prayer: Oh Lord, let me see these people through Your eyes. Amen.
Jack Roberts, Pastor
CostaMeda Baptist Association
Revelation 2:1-7:
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
I hear Jesus reminding me of one of the biggest dangers for someone who has been in church for years. I hear Jesus tell me not to confuse being busy with church work with spending time with Him. I must constantly remind myself that I was created to have fellowship with the Father, not to work in church.
I must remember that Jesus said, the greatest of all commandments was not to be committed to church, but to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul; and to love those He loves. This leads me to recommit to my daily time reading His word, talking to Him, and hearing from Him. It also leads me to look for ways of letting others know that I care about them and Jesus loves them.
Dear Jesus,
Forgive me for being too busy and too opinionated to love You with all my heart and to also love those who You loved enough to die for.
Morgan Murray, Pastor
Walnut Creek Presbyterian
Mark 1:9-13:
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Whenever I read this text I wonder, “Why does Jesus submit to baptism? He’s perfect. He isn’t spiritually unclean. He doesn’t need to repent of anything. If it’s about coming under the authority of the Kingdom, well, He’s the King for goodness sake! Is He just giving us something to imitate?” That is part of it, but the main thing I see is Jesus being obedient to the Father. He is showing us that the way to express love for God is to submit full to the Father’s authority. Jesus truly shows his Sonship through obedience, and the Father honors that obedience in as clear and public a way possible: Speaking a word of exuberant love. You are MY child, and I am so proud of you
I am a person who does a lot of thinking about faith and obedience. I hear in this a call to do obedience. To stop asking, “what act of mercy would you have me do today, Lord?” and instead seize upon any merciful and humbling act of submission that comes my way. Remembering that at my baptism the Spirit spoke to my heart saying, “I am so proud of you!” I want to obey Him more and more in response to His loving pride.
Mike McCoy, Pastor
Hills Vineyard Christian Fellowship – Concord
Mark 1:14-18:
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
I
believe Jesus is telling me to remember that as I follow Him, He will
lead me to people He wants to catch up in the 'net' of His kingdom.
I think He is sending me out and training me to be a better fisher of
people. I sense He is saying, 'I want to give you the eyes of a
fisherman. Ask me for the best fishing spots and I will send you
there.'
So God is telling me two things to ask in my time alone with Him:
1) Show me who I will meet today that You want to catch in the net of Your kingdom.
2) Tell me what You want me to do when I meet them. Simply listen to their story? Tell them my story? Tell them Your story? Pray with them right then and there?
Jesus, please give me the expectation that as I follow You, I will catch people in the net of Your kingdom. AMEN
Jim Shields, Pastor
Sanctuary Ministries – Concord
Matthew 7:24-29:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
I’m realizing just how important it is for me to hear His voice. I must really know what He is speaking to me at this very moment. Is He saying, “Jim, Be salt and light” or “Jim, Love your enemy” or “Pray in secret”, “Don’t worry”, “Quit judging others”? I must hear Him today or I will just take my best effort and do what I think He wants of me rather than what I have heard Him ask.
Maybe today I’ll read from scripture more slowly, speaking to Him, listening for Him, asking Him show me His desire for today.
Lord Jesus, I want You to lead my life today, to have my being in You, my life in You. I want to hear from You. Then, empower me to do what You have asked. Amen
Kevin Murphy, Pastor
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church – Walnut Creek
Matthew 8:5-13:
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
I hear God inviting me to so radically trust in His Word that I can claim that the petitions I place before Him - for wisdom, healing and guidance - will come to pass. God is encouraging me to have more faith!
In the coming week, I am going to trust God more – for the provision and protection God has placed in my life. And I am going to bear testimony to God's goodness in my life. I want Jesus to be amazed at me in the coming week.
Heavenly Father, so grant Your grace and mercy to fill my life that I might hear Your word spoken into my life, and I might so trust You that You would be amazed by my faith. Amen.
Jer Swigart, Pastor
Open Door Community – Walnut Creek
Matthew 9:1-8:
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
God is saying to me: “Jer, I want you to live free…holistically free…freedom for your body, soul, and mind. I want you be become completely unhindered so that you can walk…so that you can dance!...in My rhythms for the good of the world. I stopped and will stop at nothing to free you from the insidious chains that warp your heart and leave you incapable of walking in the Way of Jesus for the good of the world.”
Here’s
what I’m going to do, today, with what God is saying to me: I’m
going to embrace my liberation I’m going to walk away from the
familiar piles of chains that Jesus has set me free from.
Today, I’m going to walk in my freedom into the life of a captive
other…and I’m going to participate with the Holy Spirit in His
work of reconciliation, restoration, and righteousness.
Kurt Holm, Pastor
The Creek Church Community – Walnut Creek
Matthew 17:1-8:
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
As a disciple of Jesus, I really want to do something for Jesus. Moreover, I’m in a good position as a leader of a local church to do something. I even get paid for doing something. People expect me to do something. And so like Peter, my good intentions of doing something often miss Jesus’ best intentions for me. I busy myself with activity which does produce something tangible for Jesus. I feel good – I did something for Jesus.
But Jesus is simply calling me to be with Him before doing something for Him. I often get it wrong. I hustle past Jesus so I can do something for Jesus. Today, right now, I’m stopping to marvel not only at the earthly Jesus but the Christ of eternity. Peter caught a glimpse of this Christ. Christ today is triumphant, supreme, exalted, holy, majestic (can’t be contained in human body) King of eternity. In the presence of this Christ is the beginning of my personal transformation – not my anxious activity.
Dean Honnette, Pastor
Hope Center Covenant Church – Pleasant Hill
Revelation 2:8-17:
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
I hear God telling me that my life situations will always be a "mixed bag" – some good things to celebrate and some hard things to struggle through. And that my spiritual health will also be mixed – doing good in some ways and not so good in others.
So I will, in my daily devotions, focus on how rich I am in Christ and seek the Spirit's guidance on how to apply those resources so I can endure the difficulties and to repent of where I am failing to obey Jesus.
Lord, grant me the ability to apply Your riches to today’s challenges. Amen
Chuck McKinney, Pastor
Valley Christian Church – Concord
Mark 3:7-12:
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”
Do you feel, as I do, the tension in this passage? I see Jesus wanted to share intimate, quality time with His disciples, but He always responded to the needs of the crowds that pressed around Him.
During
this Lenten season and beyond, I am going to continue to spend
personal, intimate time with Jesus. It is part of my pattern to pray
Monday – Friday for an hour at 7:30am with a group. I
practice a fast the first Tuesday of each month. What I will do
going forward is invite and challenge those who follow me to follow
by evaluating the time and fervor they spend in prayer. And, I will
build some new prayer times around their decisions. I believe
we can all find an appropriate balance between devotion and mission.
Joe Hernandez, Pastor
Gateway Church – Martinez
Mark 3:30-35:
A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
I see God saying He wants His sons and daughters to obey Him whole heartedly. I see God saying He wants His sons and daughters to live like obedience is way better than sacrifice. I see God saying He wants His sons and daughters to see that obedience is more important than pleasing co-workers, friends, family, even our own mother.
I sense God asking me to participate in helping congregations unite for county-wide prayer gatherings for healings, families, finances, and salvation.
Russ Belmont, Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church – Concord
Mark 4:1-12:
Jesus said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!]”
I see God showing me how important it is to hear the word, as well as understand it.
I am going to intentionally read Your word searching for nuggets of Your truth for my own personal application and I will record/journal it. I will do this at least three days a week. I will also give permission to my huddle group to check in with me weekly to see if I am journaling, elicit and encourage what I am doing about what You are saying.
Thank you Lord for what you reveal to me in Your word. I look forward to doing what You ask of me. I thank You that You don’t give up on me.
Art Barrett, Pastor
New Life Christian Fellowship – Concord
Mark 4:30-34:
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand
He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
What
I observe is God speaks to all of us. Also, I see it takes an
investment to understand what God is saying. I see Jesus
inviting me into closer fellowship away from the crowd. I hear Jesus
saying, 'Come aside with Me, I have more to explain.' It is a
relational invitation, alone time when I will come to know Jesus
better, understand more of what God is doing.
The invitation
is to come. The revelation is, God wants to reveal. The challenge
is to be a disciple who will make time to get alone with Jesus.
During this Lent season, I hear God challenging me to get alone with
Jesus five days each week. What is God asking you to do?
Jeff Reed, Pastor
Hillside Covenant Church – Walnut Creek
Mark 4:35-41:
Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
In this text things are spinning wildly out of control and Jesus does not appear to be ahead of the curve. He is sleeping while the storm rages on! I hear God preparing me for this to-be-expected experience. Times are coming when my circumstances will feel like they are avalanching and God seems out-of-pocket.
So here is what I am going to do when I feel panic welling up within me in spiraling moments. I will stop and say these words: “Jesus, Storm-Tamer, rockin’ in the boat with me.” And I am going to repeat that rhythmic line again, under my breath, again and again, until my truth-telling mind gets a hold of my wind-wild feelings!
Terry Reilley, Pastor
Creekside Open Bible Church – Martinez
Mark 4:11-20:
The people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
This interaction between Jesus and the man delivered from demons causes me to chuckle and be challenged! While the man wants to jump in, Jesus pushes out and tells him to go back…back into his neighborhood to be an influence.
I sense Jesus challenges a lifestyle of following Him that is so insulated with activity within the body of Christ, one becomes spiritually isolated from those within their relational orbit who are far from Christ. Jesus’ invitation to me this season is to push away from His Body a bit more and reach out to my literal neighbors a lot more by inviting them to our home and simply have FUN with them.
Jesus, instead of going to evangelize, lead me to Emmanuelize -- bringing You to my neighbors.
Sean Blomquist, Pastor
Shelter Covenant Church – Concord
Revelation 2:18-29:
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Here is what I observe God saying: He loves His people and is passionate about how they live His life. I hear Him saying He gets real angry with people who have gifts and use them to lead His people away from His way of life. I see God granting us authority and power for His good purposes to be released in and through us, but this comes from a relationship with Jesus like He has with His father who has given Him authority.
My response is: I want to see an increase in my authority. This will happen when leaders I am discipling are discipling others in our church and beyond. It may not quite be nations, but it will be an influence in the valley. Amen
Scott Purkey, Pastor
Bay Summit Church – Clayton
Mark 5:22-24, 35-48:
Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him…
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
There are some great takeaways from this passage of scripture. One that sticks out to me is how Jesus views the condition of this young girl. What the crowd called death – He called sleep. Sometimes, in the midst of a trying circumstance, we tend to see things without God’s intervention. While there is a reality of an issue in our lives, it doesn’t have to be the final outcome. So I’m choosing to see my pain, discouragement, hopelessness and confusion from Jesus’ perspective. I will not line up the Word of God with my circumstance, but rather line up my circumstance with the Word. I will look for ways to minister to others in similar circumstances. As a result, today I will begin to see my circumstance from Jesus’ perspective!
Holy Spirit, I know you have revealed these truths to me for a purpose. Open the eyes of my heart to the things in my life the way you do! Amen!
Ken Brown, Pastor
Christ Community Church – Walnut Creek
Mark 6:1-6:
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Striking to me in this text is not what Jesus is doing, but what Jesus is NOT doing. There is an inextricable connection between the ongoing and powerful work of God and the level of receptivity and response. The creative and restorative power of God is present but there is an unwillingness to believe and follow.
Are there things that I know God has called me to do but in my lack of faith have been unwilling to step forward and do? Obedience is not what earns the favor of God on me, but it is the avenue through which I experience the power of God in my life.
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Doug McCoy, Pastor
First Christian Church – Pleasant Hill
Mark 6:6-13:
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
I see Jesus giving His followers a mission, the mission to share Him with those that did not know Him. I see that they were to give themselves so completely to this mission that they couldn’t even provide for their daily needs apart from it. And I see that they did so.
I understand that this same mission has been given to all His followers today, including me. I also understand that I am rarely as intentional in this mission as these disciples were. I will change this by interacting with the people I encounter at the gym. Instead of avoiding or ignoring them as I usually do, I will look them in the face, greet them, and engage them in conversation in the hope that I can ultimately share Jesus with them.
Ron Musch, Pastor
Lighthouse Regional Church – Concord
Mark 6:30-34:
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
“Holy Spirit, what are you speaking to me about this passage? Is it that Jesus wants to teach me many things? Is it about His compassion or how the crowds followed Him?”
I hear nothing…I sense a stillness. “It is something else isn’t it.” My eyes are drawn to “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place...” Oh my, it is an invitation by my Jesus to be restored and renewed. I am reminded that He really does care for me. Not for what I can do. I let the truth sink in.
I respond. Tonight I am going to bed early to talk with Jesus about all the ways He cares for me…until I fall asleep.
Jedidiah Maschke, Pastor
First Lutheran Church – Concord
Mark 6:46-52:
The boat was in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
In this passage, Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord over all creation. He has the power to walk on water (faster than His disciples can row) and to calm the storm.
I spend so much time with the same mindset as the disciples – straining to row their boat. I think that I need to strain to build “my” ministry. I think about what I should be doing to build "my" church, and I feel guilty because I don’t, I can’t do it all.
It may not be that the direction that I’m headed is wrong! Maybe the problem is that I start going there without waiting for Jesus and the blessing of His Spirit.
I feel like God is calling me to wait for Him. Instead of feeling guilty for not quickly creating the successful congregation I knew I'd create (at least as a naive, idealistic seminary student), I will remember that Jesus is still Lord. I will keep serving my congregation joyfully, knowing that the work of God’s Spirit in me and through me may not result in fruit right away. I can take courage in the midst of storms. What I’m doing may really be the right thing, and the harvest will come in Jesus’ time.
Richard Terherst, Pastor
Harvest Church – Concord
Mark 7:14-23:
Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable.
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
In this passage, the Lord exposes religious hypocrisy and calls the crowd to true faith. This was not a new concept, but rather a reminder that though people make judgments based on outward actions, God looks at the heart.
This is a good reminder for me. I can easily fall into the trap of confusing purity with religious exercises and obedience to the “rules.” However, true Kingdom activity can only be accomplished when it comes out of a pure heart. If my heart is unclean, then no matter how much I follow the rules – I still won’t be pure before God. So, the question I must ask is: “What part of my heart will I be giving to God today?”
Bill Azbell, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church – Concord
Revelation 3:1-6:
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
I hear the Spirit saying that He looks beneath the exterior into the inner recesses of my life, and He sees some pretty neglected areas. In fact He sees some places which are deathly ill—too ill for me to be about the full work God has for me.
While these words begin to raise my anxiety level a bit, there is hope for healing; and it comes through waking up and remembering some important things about that fresh life and vision God gave me years ago. Turns out that I need to stand up and bring that memory forward and start pressing into God’s victory again. The Spirit makes some pretty great promises about where that leads.
I sense God asking me to wake up with how I’m spending my time. I plan on doing that by making an inventory of all the ways I spend it. I plan on scheduling out hurry and needless activities and scheduling in unhurried time in relationship with God and others. I’ll ask my Huddle friends to keep me accountable to it.
Lance Anderson, Pastor
Living Way Foursquare Church – Concord
Mark 7:24-30:
A woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at Jesus’ feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
I see God saying kingdom ministry is always active and available to meet a need. I hear God saying His love leads me to reach beyond my personal, cultural, and traditional preferences. Hearing God's word calls me, draws me, and causes me to pursue Him. His word deposits faith in me. I hear God saying, Satan is a destroyer and likes to start early in life. It's the devil's aim to bring devastating pain through those close to me.
I will make time to reach, teach, and repeat (with loving patience) the goodness of Christ. I will continue to give children to Jesus. Through praise I celebrate the answer of my prayer in Jesus. No one is out of reach from Christ deliverance. Send your word LORD and heal.
Today I will take seven children to my altar in prayer. I will ask through the laying on of hands, "Impart the wisdom of Christ."
Steve Steele, Pastor
Saratoga Presbyterian Church
Mark 8:1-10:
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
God drew my focus to the first and last part of this story, five words that often are like two bookends of my day, week, and sometimes much longer. We’re told they had ‘nothing to eat’, but by the end of the day they had plenty ‘left over’. Boy, can I relate to that. . . I’ve got nothing left in the tank. I’m on empty and I don’t feel like I’ve got anything left to give and so many people are counting on me...my kids, my spouse, my coworkers, my friends, my volunteer work. I’ve been feeding everybody else, but I’ve been too busy to eat or even notice...my soul is starving! And then it’s like Jesus is saying to me, You’re hungry, you've had nothing to eat. Let Me feed you...I have plenty to give.
So in this moment, I’m going to stop whatever I’m doing and just BE with Jesus...for 15 minutes, I'm going to shut everything down...my calendar, my cell phone, my email, my door, even my racing mind. I'm going to name my hunger and listen to Jesus say, over and over to me, I have plenty left over...let Me fill your hunger. I'm just going to feast on His presence, and His promise until the groaning of my hunger is satisfied, until I have plenty left over from Him to give to others again.
Pete Woodward, Pastor
Faith Lutheran – Pleasant Hill
Mark 8:14-21:
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied.
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
I see God revealing earthly power sources (the yeast being religious or governmental power) that are only too attractive, maybe even addictive. They offer protection, supply belonging, and identity. “Hitch your wagon to the party in power!” they cry. But there is a cost. You have to speak the party line and espouse the party platform, even if you don’t agree. And, it’s temporal.
“Have you not seen My power?” asks Jesus. “Have you forgotten?” “I am your protection. I am your identity. I am your glory. I am your supply. Beware of any platform, any security system that would carry you away from Me.” says Jesus. And I sense He’s asking me to evaluate my own level of trust. So today I will confront every worry and problem and concern with an intentional prayer of thanksgiving to God who has everything under control.
Oh God, forgive me for pushing outside the boundaries of your care. Amen.
Terry Reilley, Pastor
Creekside Open Bible Church – Martinez
Mark 8:27-33:
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
I see Jesus showing His beloved disciple, the prophetic Peter, that information or revelation can never replace the ongoing Words and concerns of Christ. The gracious invitation beyond the Godly rebuke is for disciples to keep their heart hearing beyond what one has learned and to continually respond to Christ’s living Words and concerns.
Jesus is challenging me to move past knowledge learned or revelation received, to a Christ focus that is dynamic – not static. Each day this week, I will recalibrate my heart beyond my material concerns and toward eternal concerns. I will stop, speak to, and give something of substance to someone who is broke, broken, or begging – knowing people are eternally His concern.
Jesus, renew my heart, my concerns…this day and every day. Amen.
Shawn Robinson, Pastor
Clayton Community Church – Clayton
Mark 9:8-13:
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Seeing Elijah and John the Baptist right alongside of Jesus must have been pretty amazing. I sense God showing me how other figures quickly fade away until no one is left except Jesus (v.8).
Like the disciples, I am so fascinated by the appearance of religious “superstars”, that I forget that Jesus is the only one that matters. Jesus wants me to reflect on the significance of His presence before I share it with others.
True, Elijah has come and gone and has served his purpose, but Jesus has suffered and been rejected”—Why? What am I to do with this amazing truth?
God is reminding me that all other purposes fade when compared to the significance of the cross. Father is asking me to remember that Jesus’ sacrifice is no small deal but the greatest act of love ever done for me. God is asking me to see no one else today except Jesus.
Teach me to listen to Your voice alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Bill Francis, Pastor
Morello Hills Christian Church – Martinez
Mark 9:21-29:
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”
Verses 23 and 24 are my favorite dialogue from a Jesus encounter in Scripture. I see a little humor in Jesus’ response of “If you can?” and I love the creative back-peddling of the father exclaiming that he does believe, but he’s just not sure how much he believes!
Over and over I have comforted and challenged myself and others with this story. As I live my life day today, I too find myself clinging to all the faith I can muster and praying for God to guide me to a place of greater faith (and with that faith, understanding).
Today, in the midst of any trials and doubts I will pray, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mike McCoy, Pastor
Hills Vineyard Christian Fellowship – Concord
Revelation 3:7-13:
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
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