Dana Hagstrom – Page 441

Mark 10:1-12 – Marriage

As you can imagine, this text is not one of my favorites (especially vv. 11 and 12). It is why I stayed in an abusive marriage for 15 years. I was beaten and watched my children be beaten. I cowered at any loud noise or raised voice. I prayed and prayed for God to rescue us. I had made a bad decision. It not only left me broken, but it has left a lasting scar on each of my children’s hearts. For that I am devastated. I cannot fix it. I caused it.

I have worked through recovery, like an alcoholic or drug abuser. I was broken. I had been brainwashed to think I was nothing; that I was stupid. I believe in a loving God who does not want us to live a life of torture and fear. I continually pray for forgiveness for what I have done. I have devoted myself to serving him and using my story to help other women avoid making the same mistake.

My story has a happy ending as I have found the man of my dreams. His story is his for him to tell, but suffice it to say he was hurt and abused, too. Two broken souls have united to make a beautiful union, stronger than ever to serve God together. That is exactly what we do. I believe in my heart that God intended for us to be together. I don’t know where either of us would be apart, if we had stayed unmarried to avoid adultery.

In studying a commentary or two on this text, here are some helpful insights. Some marriages fall short of God’s intention. While Jesus didn’t say “do NOT remarry”, he made it clear that to do so would affect the divorced spouse. A residual relationship exists by the mere fact we were married and shared those years together. As I understand it, my remarriage then negatively affects my abusive spouse. (I wrestled with this during my recovery phase, worked the 12 steps was amazing journey.)

We are also taking these words quite literally. For us to follow to the letter sets a very steep expectation. While Scripture, especially the words of Jesus, are alive for us today, this passage reminds us that we should not take the marriage relationship lightly. It is intended by God to join the couple forever as a beautiful union. So friends, be careful in choosing your mate. Make sure they are the one God intends for you. Keep God at the center of your marriage, always and forever.

Let’s pray. Lord I struggle still with this passage. I thank you that I am now in a position of strength. I thank you for the empowerment you have given me to overcome the hurts of my past. I pray as hard as ever for my children that they, too, will feel your peace and that their joy will be restored. Help them to remember that you, their heavenly Father, will never hurt them. I pray for all those women, and men, in abusive relationships. May they be looking to you for rescue and restoration. Forgive me for making bad choices that keep me separated from you. Thank you that you are burning brightly inside me to give others hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 9:30-50 – As A Child

Read Mark 9:30-50

Teachable moments are great. They may be on purpose or better yet when they just happen organically. We never want to stop learning. The disciples had such a grand spot in history of being in the presence of God. The account we have been reading from Mark, however, would suggest they didn’t realize their good fortune.

We hear in today’s passage several nuggets and examples of teachable moments. This is the second time now that Jesus has tried to warn them about what is to happen to him. He is preparing them and planting the seed of truth even though they don’t understand right now. We may be experiencing something like that, not understanding the “why” at the moment. I trust that one day all will be revealed.

I was a little amused by the story of them quarreling on the road and not wanting to tell Jesus why. As a parent, we often find our children in one dispute or another, and sometimes we never know the root cause. Could it be time for a teachable moment? Jesus thinks so here, and I’m sure the disciples were very surprised when he sat them down, seeming to know exactly what their conflict was.

His teachable moment for them reaches across the ages for us, as well. “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” This would seem to be backwards. Doesn’t everyone strive to be on the top? Sports teams want to be #1. Companies want their product to be rated the highest against competitors. Yet, Jesus is talking of our heart, our character, our integrity. We need to look at our hearts and see if we are truly serving others and not ourselves.

Having been a children’s ministry director for years and being involved as a volunteer for many more working with children, verse 37 has always been a favorite of mine. It drives the point home. “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

We can learn a lot from children. Their faith is so pure. Their innocence so refreshing. If we could only revive the complete trust and faith we had as children, the world would be a much better place. Many adults ignore children (unless they are their own), but so much wisdom can be gained and blessings received if we try to reach our inner child.

Jesus goes on to teach on several different points. If those spoke to you, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I’m choosing to take my quiet time now to spend reflecting on the innocence of childhood and how I can rattle my memory to have that unquestioning kind of faith.

Let’s pray. Father, thank you for this reminder today. You are always there to teach me and lead me. Help me in shedding my behaviors that are selfish and self serving so that I can be more of a servant. I long to serve others and help them grow closer to you. Fill me with your spirit so I will reflect you in all I say and do. Thank you for the freedom and courage to speak and share. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 9:14-29 – Stronger Faith

Read Mark 9:14-29

Today’s reading happens directly after yesterday’s in real time. In case you missed yesterday, it’s the story of the transfiguration where Jesus took the inner circle (Peter, James and John) up the mountain where they experienced something miraculous, leaving them a bit awestruck.

We often experience those mountaintop experiences in our lives. Maybe after a wonderful worship service, a spiritual healing, a large worship concert, or conference with other believers. When we come back to reality, the every day routine, re-entry can often be challenging. We don’t want to lose that feeling.

Here, Jesus and the disciples had to assimilate very quickly as there was a crowd waiting. From our readings in Mark, it seems like this is an every day occurrence that people are clamoring for Jesus’ attention with one need or another. It may seem like that still today as we lift our prayers up, asking God for this or for that to make our lives better.

Our prayers should be more than that, shouldn’t they? I read an interesting statement once, and I may have even used this in my marketing. It went something like this: “What if we woke up tomorrow with ONLY who and what we prayed for today?” That includes God. We need to never forget to whom we are praying.

He is worthy of our praise, and our praise should not be reserved for Sunday mornings. It’s an every day, every minute kind of thing. It should be our #1 purpose–to love and worship God at all times.

In our reading today, the frantic father cries out to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” It would probably do us all good to make this cry part of our daily prayer.

Prayer is powerful. Our conversations with God are what keep us connected. We see another example of how powerful prayer is right here in today’s reading. The disciples had tried to heal the boy but failed. Jesus seemed a little impatient with them (but remember he is just back from a mountaintop experience). Jesus later told them what they had missed in their attempt. Prayer. Those stubborn demons require prayer to flee.

What demons are burdening you today? In the name of Jesus, and with prayer and belief, command them to flee.

Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you on bended knee, again humbled by your majesty and provision. Shield my heart from unclean thoughts and selfish desires. I long to know you more and share with others what you have done for me. May my life reflect you in all I say and do. I thank you for the mountaintop experiences I have had recently. I pray that as I get back to reality you will help me not be discouraged but instead to keep pushing forward. The best is yet to come, and I look forward to how you are going to use me and my voice. Thank you for your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 9:1-13 – See the Light

Read Mark 9:1-13

The story of the transfiguration was always a hard one to describe to little children. If I’m being totally honest, it is probably hard for us adults to grasp as well. Suffice it to say that God is mighty, and when he wants to make a statement, it will be a beautiful, unbelievable sight.

Here’s a beautiful song, Transfiguration, from Hillsong. Listen here. Let the beauty of the lyrics of praise wash over you.

We have a second declaration from God himself. The first one happened at Jesus’ baptism where God proclaimed his Son. This time the message is reserved for the inner circle of Jesus’ tribe of followers. I love how God puts it right out there, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Listen to him! Of course. Up to now the disciples have been a little “lost” and certainly they have been missing a lot. It’s not every day you’re in the company of God. The message speaks to us, too. Are we listening to Jesus or the world?

I’m sure we have those times of being hard headed. It would take a sledge hammer to break into the walls we’ve built up or to clear away the debris we carry around. Imagine having one-on-one time with Jesus like this. Imagine experiencing something so wonderful you can’t even describe it, and then are told not to even try.

Have you been perplexed in your faith, perhaps surprised or confused by what you are reading or experiencing? Think of these disciples in their understanding, or lack thereof, of what being “raised from the dead” could actually mean. They were struggling to sort out what they were seeing. It was so different from the life they had known up to this point.

So many questions, yet they had the benefit of having an audience with Jesus. It seems my list gets longer and longer of things I’d like to ask Jesus when I meet him face to face. Then I realize that when the time comes and I do get those answers, the need for the answers will no longer exist. I’ll be with Jesus! My understanding will be made full. I won’t be able to tell everyone the answers they are all waiting for. It won’t matter. Eternal life with Jesus is the ultimate reward and no question could keep me from desiring that for my future. I hope you have that homing beacon burning bright in you, too, to want eternity with Jesus. No matter what!

Faith. It’s what we need to sustain us. It’s what we need to draw us closer to our Creator. It is the fuel we need for each day to make it through the challenges and distractions. We haven’t had the mountain top experience with bright lights and visitors from heaven to help our faith along. God is cultivating that in us without any intervention by us. We are right with God because of what Jesus did, and that should be our focus and our fuel.

Let’s pray. Lord you are mighty beyond description. Your ways are perfect. When you speak, I bow down in reverence. Help me to hear your voice above all the noise and distractions of this world. Thank you for becoming man to identify with our earthly struggle. I want to be planted securely in your will and ask for your leading. Shed your light on me so that I may burn bright for you, fueled by an unstoppable faith. As I look around, help me to see those who are waiting to hear from you but don’t know how to listen. Help clear my cluttered head so my eyes will be fixed on you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 8:27-38 – Live for Jesus

Read Mark 8:27-38

There are so many gems in today’s reading. If this passage is familiar to you, I would suggest you read it again, at least once, and really listen for God. We can often gloss over the familiar, but God’s word is always made new. If you are reading this for the first time, read it again and really soak up all of the nuggets here.

Who is Jesus to you? Peter was on point, but Jesus asked them to be careful right now to spread that around. Have you ever wondered why? Later, he will ask them to spread the gospel. For now, maybe for their own safety, Jesus has them stay low-key. For us, we need to be shining lights for Jesus because the time for us is now.

Jesus tries to prepare his disciples for his death, but because of their track record of not “getting it”, I’m certain his efforts were in vain. The scene shifts quickly as Peter wants to argue. Jesus promptly puts him in his place, calling out the evil one as being the influence here. How true it is for us to let doubt or fear (tricks of the evil one) cloud our trust in Jesus, as well as our relationship with him. Be aware of that and call out the devil as Jesus did when you are feeling worry or or doubt creep in.

Jesus isn’t looking for lukewarm followers here. He is looking for us to leave our old ways behind and be all-in. In his words, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”

How many of us try to do it our own way? How is that going for us? What can life be without the promise of eternity? What he’s asking is not easy. But think of the reward. Jesus simply asks, “are you ashamed of me?” The trend nowadays is it’s not popular to be Christian. Many are ashamed. Yet, some are still martyred and suffer for their faith.

For me, I would rather be ridiculed and laughed at rather than hide my faith. If I lose customers or business partners because I live my faith out loud, then they are the ones missing out. I want to be ready when Jesus “returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

How about you? Who is Jesus to you? Are you a lukewarm follower hanging on to your life, or have you taken up your cross to be an all-in follower?

Let’s pray. Lord, what a glorious God you are. Your kingdom is everlasting and true. I dedicate this day to you alone. I declare every day you give me to be a gift. May I open it joyfully and spread your truth without abandon. Cleanse again my sinful heart as I want to shine for you. Thank you for the blessings you bestow on my business, my family and my life. May you sense my grateful heart as it overflows. May all thoughts of sadness, worry and negativity flee from me. Thank you that you are working in me to bring others to know you. Thank you for blessing that ministry.