Like many of you across the United States, we in Middle Tennessee have experienced extremely low temps these past few days. The boys have made several trips down to the donkeys to break the ice, feed, and check their well-being while bundling up.
We have had water dripping from pipes and have tried to conserve energy.
And…the pool.
Although we have winterized it as much as possible, it can be a little concerning. When the pump can freely work, we have no concerns.
Unfortunately, there has been a couple of times in which a thin layer of ice has formed. That thin layer causes havoc on the pump not allowing it to work properly.
In the book Live No Lies by John Mark Comer, the author challenges the reader with the thought of how we must combat lies with truth every minute of every day. We fight the “prince of the world” day in and day out because he is the “father of lies” as Jesus “titles” the devil in John 8:44.
Jesus’s ministry was focused on shedding LIGHT through TRUTH knowing how the deception of lies can easily entangle us.
Mark 11 and 12 highlight a few examples of the lies the people allowed to turn “ice” around their own hearts just like the pool not allowing the PUMP to work properly and shows how Jesus breaks through it with TRUTH.
Cleansing the temple (Mark 11:15-19)
They believed the lie that material things would fulfill them. Jesus showed them, with quite a bit of passion, it won’t.
A lesson on the barren fig tree (Mark 11:2–25)
The lie of not being forgiven or unworthy of forgiveness. You can be made as white as snow THROUGH His Son. How many times do we allow ourselves to be chained to our past? While there may be consequences to our actions, if we have truly repented, it has been washed away by His blood. Blood that was shed on the cross for YOU. Believe in the power of it.
Jesus’s authority is challenged (Mark 11:27-33)
These people believed the LIES of the world. They were more willing to fall in with the crowd instead of standing up with Jesus. These people here were concerned with ideals that men had acclaimed to be “truth”.
Jesus wanted them to understand He was Jesus, but their concern was who they were going to serve. In this case, the “crowd” won. They were not ready or willing to go against the world and live that exiled life.
God and Caesar (Mark 12:13-17)
The people believed that this world is their HOME.
They were contemplating “What is Caesar’s, render to Caesar. What is God’s, give to God.” The kingdom of God is here–you are living as an “alien” in a place that is not your home. Give what needs to be given to them as long as it doesn’t go against what the Lord says.
But–your home is the KINGDOM OF GOD. Does your life reflect that? Your words on your lips, your actions, your heart?
The Sadducees and The Resurrection (Mark 12:18-27)
He can do all things. Not some, but ALL.
While there is a lot to unpack here, I think they were not giving God the credit for being all-powerful. God’s power is more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:20). His power brings LIFE. Trust Him.
The Command (Mark 12:28-34)
What command is most important? Love. They had tried to put man-made commands and checklists above what truly should “feed” our acts of service and worship.
Love is far more important than any of the burnt offerings and sacrifices they were giving.
Is your worship rooted in LOVE or a checklist?
Do you LOVE your neighbor as you LOVE yourself? What are you fueled by?
The Widow’s Gift (Mark 12:38-44)
Who we are, who we know, and what we give do not define us. He is concerned with our HEART. It isn’t what we do publicly or the public accolades we receive. While those things may not be “bad in themselves,, it is the intentions of the heart behind them. Are you rooted in LOVE as you give of your time and efforts? Is it for you and your benefit, or truly for His kingdom?
You can see in these interactions that some of these REAL people here had allowed lies to enter their minds and rule their hearts. That ice had formed not allowing TRUTH to work through them. Lies such as material things fulfill, not remembering that this earth is not their home, limiting God’s power, earthly accolades, and praise, and being led with a heart not filled with love.
How many times have we allowed our hearts to form a “thin layer of ice” not allowing Him to work in our lives because we have believed these LIES or others?
That is a thought I have been pondering these past few days as we end 2022 and the calendar turns to 2023.
For the next few days, as you clear out 2022 and set goals in 2023, dig deep. What is an area of struggle you need to give to Him? Hand Him the icebreaker to break the barrier and let Him and His truth flow freely in your heart.
Be transformed–cling to His truth.
Anchored to Him,
Leigh Ann
