40Flex Journey | Day 16

A better way to live.

"Jesus placed a greater emphasis in showing everyone a better way of living than He did on the one-off miracles."

As I follow Jesus through the Gospels, it becomes clear that He came to earth to establish a new reality. Everyone around Him was concerned about receiving. People always ask: Heal me. How do we get to heaven? Can you explain this? Shoo that evil away. Prove this.

Now, I don’t think there is anything wrong with all these requests. Jesus was so gracious in answering all these. But Jesus placed a greater emphasis in showing everyone a better way of living than the He did on the one-off miracles.

He reminds the disciples that the way of this world is take, take, take; power, power, power. He goes on to say that those who follow Him will live by a different code.

Let’s Read

Mark Chapters 9, 10 and 11 →

Now Think About This

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10.43-45)

Question of the day

Lord, who do you want me to serve today?

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The Cloak of Bartimaeus

"And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus." (Mark 10.50)

What a response to a call, right? Leaving the security of his cloak. Throwing off the very thing that hid his shame. Immediately jumping up and going to Jesus. Bartimaeus knew how much better Jesus could make his life.

If only we could see ourselves as clearly as the blind man could.

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The Fig Tree and the Temple

The fig tree, the temple, and a hangry Jesus. (Mark 11.12-25)

Try to consider these as one whole account with Mark using the cursing of the tree as a starting marker and the return to the tree as the end of the lesson.

Set scene: Jesus curses the fig tree because He could not find fruit. Try to see this as a prophetic marker for what they were about to see at the temple.

Next scene: Jesus finds similar emptiness at the temple. Busyness does not necessarily equate to fruitfulness.

What’s your temple like?

Sing this loud!

The Challenge

Big Steps Forward

01.
Serve in Humility

Perform one unnoticed act of service this week, putting someone else's needs above your own expectations.

02.
Childlike Faith

Spend time in prayer to renew your perspective, then engage in one simple activity that reflects childlike joy.

03.
Forgive & Faith

Pray for someone who wronged you to release bitterness, and commit one area of your life to God’s intervention.