An Obedient Example ~ Bob Coy

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

John 2:13 (NKJV)

Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

It sounds like a simple statement. But further examination reveals something rather deep about Christ's character.
 
During the days of Moses, God gave the children of Israel a special commandment. Each year all the Israeli men were to gather in a certain place to celebrate the three major feasts that the Lord had commanded them to keep:

"Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread [Passover], at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles . . . ."

(Deuteronomy 16:16 NKJV)

The place of gathering came to be the temple, which was situated in the Holy City of Jerusalem. So when the Bible tells us that Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover, it's telling us that He was being obedient to this divine ordinance.

Jesus submitted to the will of God, and in doing so, He set an example for us to follow.

We're not obligated to keep the rules and regulations of Jewish law, but we are called to follow God's will for our lives according to the New Testament teachings and the direction of His Spirit. Even in this age of grace, all of us have had our moments of wondering,

Why God?

Why do I have to do this, and why do I have to do that? It would be so much more convenient if you would just let me skip a few things.

In these moments, we need to simply submit to God's will and do as He has told us. If Jesus was obedient in this area, then how dare we question our obligation to do so?

Discuss with your group a time when you questioned God’s will for your life.

Dig into 1 John 2:1–6. What does this passage say about obedience?

Decide to obey God today.

What has God told you to do that you are still struggling with?

Ask Him to help you follow Jesus’ example of submission and obedience.

Christ Control ~ Bob Coy

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV)

Yesterday we examined Christ as the Creator. He is responsible for both the material universe with all its complexities and the spiritual transformation that occurs in the lives of those who follow Him. But there's another aspect of His creative role that deserves our consideration.

The Bible tells us that all things consist in Jesus.

In the original Greek, the word used here for consist means to "hold together." This means that Jesus not only created everything that exists, but also actively holds everything together and controls it in such a way that all is found in its proper frame. 

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the earth started to slip out of orbit, gravity suddenly stopped, or the oceans decided to surge over their shorelines?

Did you know that if Jupiter's mass and gravitational pull were to change, it would affect our ability to live on Earth?

Or have you ever considered that every atom consists of particles that (on paper) should split up and release a deadly discharge of atomic energy?
 
These catastrophes don't happen because all things consist in Jesus. He is in control of everything, even the things we don't see, appreciate, or know about.

Remember this the next time you're tempted to doubt Christ's ability to control the conditions of your life. When you're faced with an insurmountable need and have no idea where the resources will come from, when the doctors and specialists can't figure out what's wrong, when you feel like your heart has been shattered beyond repair, trust that Christ is in control.

All things, including our lives, consist in Him, and He will be faithful to hold us together in both this world and the next.

Discuss a time in your life when you felt overwhelmed and out of control.

Dig into Colossians 1:15–20. How do the truths of these verses impact your perspective on life?

Decide to make the truth that “all things consist in Jesus” a reality in your life.

This week, when unexpected events take you by surprise, return to Colossians 1:16-17 and thank God for His sovereign control over all things.

Jesus is Creator ~ Bob Coy

For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

(Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)

Question: Who created the heavens and the earth?

Most everyone would answer, "God."  This is correct because the first thing the Bible tells us is that In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

(Genesis 1:1 NKJV)

But did you notice that our lead verse attributes the same act of creation to Jesus? That's because Jesus is God (refer to December 6), and in the beginning He created all things in perfect harmony and accordance with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
 
This might be a foreign concept to some, but the Bible couldn't be clearer.

Christ is Creator.

That means He is the One who formed and framed the billions of stars that span the universe, the One who engineered the earth to conform to the countless parameters necessary to sustain life, and the One who conceived the complexities contained in a single cell.
 
Because of Him, our heart will beat 2.5 billion times without taking a break, our ears use a million moving parts to make hearing possible, and our eyes can distinguish millions of different colors.
 
Jesus also designed the human brain, which contains 100 billion neurons and can make a thousand trillion computations per second and store the amount of information contained in 25 million books (8 million more than the Library of Congress).*

As amazing as all of that is, it doesn't compare with the creative work that Christ accomplishes in us when we surrender ourselves to Him. Only the Creator can take bruised, broken, and burned people and make them overflow with the love and joy of heaven.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

Discuss how Christ’s creative power has been demonstrated in your own life.

Dig into 2 Corinthians Chapter 5. What does it mean to be “in Christ”? When someone becomes a new creation, what evidence should there be?
 
Decide this next week to focus on living “in Christ.” In what areas are you living like a new creation? What areas need improvement?

Cover or Content? ~ Bob Coy

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

Isaiah 53:2 (NKJV)

Don't judge a book by its cover. Why?

Because the enduring value of a book isn't determined by its cover but by the quality of its content.

The stories of Shakespeare, Dickens, and Melville live on because of their greatness, not because of their covers. Consequently, wise readers will choose a book based on what they know about the content.
 
The same principle applies when we look at the life of Jesus. He certainly had a cover, an outward appearance. But it wasn't the kind of cover that would have caught anyone's attention. As a matter of fact, Isaiah prophesied that the outward appearance of Christ would contain no beauty that we should desire Him.

(Isaiah 53:2 NKJV)

Think it through. He was born in a barn to underprivileged parents and with no one but lowly shepherds and animals to welcome Him into the world, a beginning as humble as anyone ever had.
 
According to His "cover," Jesus was just a social side note. People like Him didn't accomplish or achieve much. In fact, they were barely a blip on the radar screen of life. But the content of His character influenced the world in a way that defies comparison. To this day, His story is the preeminent factor by which spiritual, cultural, and political lines are drawn. All this came in an ordinary cover that most would have passed over.

This gives us an insight into the Lord's heart: He values the content of our lives, not our appearance or social status.

During this Christmas season with its parties and social occasions, may we robe ourselves in humility and think less about our "covers" and more about what we do for Him.

"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

(1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)

Discuss with your group whether you get caught up in social appearances during the holiday season. Have you ever known someone who liked to make a grand entrance?
 
Dig into Luke Chapter 2. What kind of appearance did Jesus make when He came to earth?
 
Decide to make a point of not judging people based on their appearance, especially at holiday parties and family get-togethers this month.

Take the time to talk to people—and listen to them—so you can truly see their heart.

He Transcends Time ~ Bob Coy

John bore witness of Him [Jesus] and cried out, saying,

"This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me."

John 1:15 (NKJV)

John the Baptist made a profound point in this passage.

As he started to testify about Jesus, he stated,

"He was before me."

At first this seems strange because Luke's gospel makes it very clear that John was at least six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:36).

 How then could John possibly proclaim that Christ was before him? Is John confused? 

Or worse, is the Bible contradicting itself? 

We often make the mistake of thinking that Jesus' life began when He came into this world as a babe in Bethlehem. But God's Word reveals that Christ existed long before this sacred event.

It tells us that before the world was ever created, before time itself, He was eternally existent and in perfect union with God the Father:

"And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

(John 17:5 NKJV)

"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

(John 17:24 NKJV)

John understood this, and therefore could say that Jesus was before him, even though He was born after John. 


It's imperative that we also understand this because it provides a strong source of security to know that Jesus transcends time. His abiding presence was there before the beginning and will remain after the end of all things. 

When all else has faded, broken, or worn out, Jesus will still be as immutable and unchanging as eternity itself.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

(Revelation 1:8 NKJV)

Discuss with your group the implications of Jesus existing outside time and space.

Dig into John Chapter 17. In Jesus’ prayer to the Father, He speaks of existing before the foundation of the world.Why is this significant in light of His upcoming arrest and crucifixion?

Decide to be intentional about explaining the truth of Christ’s eternal existence to your loved ones as you celebrate Christ’s birth during this holiday season.

What a Word! ~ Bob Coy

In the beginning was the Word . . . . John 1:1 (NKJV)

The Greeks had a way with words. 

Historians and scholars submit that the Greek spoken in biblical times was the greatest language in human history for communicating thoughts and ideas. The Greek language clearly conveyed complex concepts because its words were so precise. 

For example, there are three different Greek words for the English word love: phileo, agape, and eros. And each one has a specific and subtle nuance that's distinct from the others. 

In other words, Greek was a language that really allowed you to get your point across.

But some concepts were still difficult to put into words. 

What do you call the reason or purpose behind everything that we see happening in life? 

The word they settled on was logos.
 
John used this very same word in the verse above: In the beginning was the logos. What exactly is he saying? If we skip ahead a few verses, we're given an important piece to this puzzle:

"And the Word [logos] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."   

 (John 1:14 NKJV)                

John defined logos as the One who came in the flesh and dwelt among humanity. He was obviously talking about Jesus. 

This was a staggering statement to make to John's original audience, because he was saying that Jesus is the ultimate reality, purpose, sense, meaning, logic, wisdom, and reason for life! John couldn't have set a higher or loftier mark in describing Jesus.
 
And yet, Jesus more than meets this mark. Apart from Him, life is senseless and meaningless, but when Christ comes into our hearts, He brings purpose, reason, significance, and wisdom.

What a Word we've been given!

Discuss the significance of Jesus being the logos and how it impacts your life. 

Dig into John 1:1–14. Who is the Light, and who was testimony to the Light? What are their roles or purposes? 

Decide to seek out someone who is searching for meaning in his or her life. Share how knowing Jesus has given you purpose, significance, and wisdom.

Composite Sketch ~ Bob Coy

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

Yesterday we saw why the word love is used to define Jesus. While this description is accurate, it doesn't completely capture the depth of who He is.

The majesty and complexity of Jesus is so far beyond our comprehension that human language eventually breaks down in its ability to define Him. In fact, when Paul attempted to describe Christ for us, he settled on the word indescribable.

Words can only go so far in describing Jesus, which is why the Holy Spirit has revealed Him to us from a variety of perspectives. A single record would fall woefully short of capturing Christ's character, but through each of the four gospels, a different dimension of Jesus is illuminated, providing us with a more complete picture of Him.

Matthew depicts Jesus as the promised King of Israel. And as such, He is capable of rescuing and delivering God's people from their bondage.

In Matthew, Jesus' authority and ability are seen as supreme (Matthew 28:18).

Mark emphasizes Jesus as the Servant of Mankind. We might even call it "the sweaty gospel" because it focuses on;

His acts of service as He tends to humanity's need (Mark 10:45).

Luke uses the title the Son of Man twenty-five times to identify Jesus in order to establish the connection between Christ and mankind.

In Luke's gospel, we're regularly reminded that Jesus was fully human (just like you and me) and that He was without sin (Luke 19:10).

John takes a totally different angle and reveals Jesus as the Divine Son of God. This perspective sets Him apart from every other "wannabe savior."

John shows us that Jesus alone has the capacity to forgive our sins because He is fully God (John 1:1).

Jesus is indescribable, but the composite sketch given in God's Word sufficiently shows us who He is and why we need Him.

Discuss why God gave us four gospels instead of just one.

Dig into 2 Corinthians Chapter 9. 

What is the context in which Paul describes Jesus as “indescribable?”

Decide to choose one of the gospels to focus on this month. 

Make it your goal to read through it at least once a week,

taking note of how Jesus is described.

Divine Definition ~ Bob Coy

God is love. 1 John 4:8 (NKJV)

How would you answer someone who asked you to define who Jesus is?

If you have an academic background, your mind might grasp for a few of those impressive terms that theologians use to define Him. Well, Jesus is an immutable hypostasis whose infallible kerygma has been universal in its efficacy. Please don't say that.

Or, perhaps if you're not grounded in God's Word, you might make the mistake of describing Jesus according to human feelings and emotions. Oh, I'm so glad you asked. To me, Jesus is like a warm sensation that washes all over me when I visualize a peaceful paradise with my mind's eye. Please don't say that either. Why?

Because there's a better way to define Jesus, a way that people will understand and respond to. The Bible defines Jesus in a simple and succinct, yet powerful and profound, way. Jesus could have given Himself any definition He wanted, one that filled the Bible cover to cover without fully capturing who He is. But in the Bible's breathtaking brilliance, it defines Jesus in a single word-love. It's the Greek word agape, and those familiar with the Bible know that agape is the kind of unconditional love that can only come from God Himself.

Paul defined agape for us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and by substituting the word love in this area of Scripture with Jesus, we're presented with the perfect definition of our Lord:

Jesus suffers long, and Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy. Jesus does not parade Himself. Jesus is not puffed up. Jesus does not behave rudely. Jesus does not seek His own. Jesus is not provoked. Jesus thinks no evil. Jesus does not rejoice in iniquity, but Jesus rejoices in the truth. Jesus bears all things. Jesus believes all things. Jesus hopes all things. Jesus endures all things. Jesus never fails.

When the time comes for you to explain who Jesus is, don't be too heady and don't be too touchy-feely. Be biblical. Tell others that above anything else, Jesus is love. Then tell them that they can truly know Him by opening their hearts to receive His love.

Discuss the definitions you have heard others give for God. How have you described Him in the past?

Dig into 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. When you replace the word love with Jesus, what stands out to you the most?

Decide to choose one aspect of love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, and put it into practice this week. If you can, choose a particular person who will be the recipient of this unconditional love. Don’t tell the person what you are doing, but see if you notice an improvement in your relationship with him or her.

All they had to do was trust and obey ~ Bob Coy

Promise Provider

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

It's somewhat strange, but when you pull back and take a panoramic view of the Old Testament, it's really a sad story. The true and living God singled out a group of people, the Israelites, and gave them a series of promises that could have resulted in them being blessed beyond their most imaginative expectations. All they had to do was trust and obey what He had told them.
 
Tragically, this is precisely what they didn't do. Instead, the children of Israel decided to doubt God, and before long they had indulged in every iniquity under the sun. Time and again the Lord punished His people, hoping they would confess and be cleansed from their sin. But in the end, they chose the way of disobedience, and God's promises of blessing remained unrealized.

If you take the same panoramic view of the New Testament, you'll see the same scenario, only in reverse. The people of the New Testament (not just Israel) were in a state of disobedience and disarray, like scattered sheep without a shepherd. But then Jesus entered the picture. Through His sacrificial work as the Good Shepherd, He made it possible for all who believe in Him to receive the promises that Israel never experienced.
 
Apart from Him, we would be weary wanderers in this world, on an endless search for something we could never find. No joy, no rest, no peace, no love, no hope, and no future. Praise God we have Jesus, who gave His life so we could receive the heavenly promises we don't deserve on our own.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us . . . . (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)

Discuss how the Old and New Testaments differ in terms of the stories they tell.

Dig into 2 Corinthians 1:18–22. How will your personal story end? Why?

Decide to share the hope you have in Jesus Christ with someone in your life. Whether they already have trusted Jesus as Savior or not, encourage them with your testimony.

What if Jesus were a no-show? ~ Bob Coy

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

What if Jesus were a no-show? What if the One who had been predicted, proclaimed, and prophesied of never came? What if passages pointing to the Remarkable Redeemer, like the one above, were never fulfilled? 

What would this world be like?

For one thing, this planet would be a much different place socially. The humanitarian example that Jesus set and the influence of His teachings are unrivaled in human history. Jesus' followers founded the first hospitals and universities; they also promoted a standard of equality between the sexes, races, and social classes:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 NKJV)

The world we live in would also be different spiritually. We could go really deep here, but let's just focus on one aspect of our spiritual lives-hope. Have you ever considered the importance of hope? Someone once defined hope as "oxygen for the soul," and I agree in the sense that a life devoid of hope cannot stay sustained for very long. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are central to our having hope because we now know that death does not have the final say in our lives. A greater reality-the resurrection-awaits those who have placed their trust in Him.

Despite whatever difficulties you might be dealing with today, you can still rejoice in the fact that Jesus was not a no-show. He showed up in a big way, a way that has altered the social, and, more importantly, the spiritual quality of man's existence.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV)

Discuss with your group how your life would be different if Jesus hadn’t showed Himself to you.

Dig into Isaiah 9:6. How does each name for Jesus reflect a unique aspect of His personality?

Decide with your group to make a list of all the things you have hope for because Jesus did indeed “show up” on earth. 

Spend some time thanking God for the hope He’s given you in Jesus Christ.

Whats In Your Hand? ~ Bob Coy

Whats In Your Hand?

So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" 

Exodus 4:2 (NKJV)

What were you doing forty years ago?

Can you even remember? 

Were you even alive? 

Forty years is a long time! 

And it's the amount of time that God allowed Moses to experience life on the backside of the desert before calling him to deliver His people from their bondage in Egypt.

Forty years of chasing stray sheep and taking care of animals that can't really take care of themselves. And as a shepherd, Moses must have constantly carried around something that was a true tool of his trade...a rod.

One day, the familiar routine was interrupted by a strange sight, a burning bush. God appeared and gave Moses a mission, which he immediately tried to turn down.

"Who am I to do this? 

Who will I say sent me?" 

Moses was not excited about any of this because he was comparing the challenge that lay ahead to his life up to that point.

"I'm just a shepherd, how can I possibly do that?"

So God does something interesting. He asks Moses "What is in your hand?" "A rod," Moses answers. 

The rod represented the simple shepherd's life Moses had led. But God told him to throw it on the ground. And the rod that had been such a predictable fixture in his life suddenly and miraculously became a serpent! 

This signaled the start of something new, a supernatural calling and way of life. The rod would still be there, but its use would be completely different.

"What is in your hand?" 

It was God's way of getting Moses to see that even the most ordinary things in our lives can become extraordinary when used in His service.

Moses was guilty of limiting what God could do with his life, and we can be guilty of doing the same, "But I'm just a ..." 

Don't limit what God can do with your life. 

What is in your hand? 

God can do something extraordinary with it!

Discuss God’s desire to use your talents and gifts.

What is it that belongs to you that you sense God wants to use for His glory?

Dig into Exodus 4:1–5.

1. What challenges did Moses face in this passage? 
2. How did he respond to the assignment he was given?
3. What was the purpose behind God’s display of supernatural power?

Decide to pray for the members of your group. 

Ask God to give all of you a willing heart to use your gifts, talents, and abilities for God’s good purposes.

Perfect Package ~ Bob Coy

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Acts 9:4 (NKJV)

It's easy for us to find fault with Saul of Tarsus, the man who would eventually become the Apostle Paul. We see him as the prime opponent of the Church, we see him as the killer of Christians, and we see him on the other side of the Cross.

Don't misunderstand. This isn't an attempt to justify any of Saul's crimes against the Church, Christians, or the Cross. But it does show that we can overlook Saul's sincerity in doing what he did. He truly and fully believed that he was doing God a service by capturing and killing Christians. Based on a lifetime of intensive training, he thought Jesus was another false teacher whose followers had to be silenced.

So imagine how he felt when the Lord finally revealed the truth to him-that all this time he had actually been persecuting the One he was trying to serve! That's an incredibly hard message to receive, and Jesus delivers it so perfectly by packaging it in the form of a question. "Why are you persecuting me?"

Jesus could have really blasted Saul on this one, "Guess what Saul? All those innocent men, women, and children...all those things you thought you were doing for me...well I have some bad news for you!"

He could have done that, but He didn't want to obliterate Saul. Instead, the Lord wanted to reveal the truth of his actions in a way that he could receive and recover from. A question was the perfect way of doing this because it gradually caused Saul to see that he'd been wrong all along.

What a wonderful reminder that even when we need to be corrected, the Lord does it in a way that's tender and considerate of our weaknesses.

Discuss with your group this miraculous moment of conversion. Why do you see salvation as a true miracle? Share with your group how you came to Jesus.

Dig into Acts 9:1–8. What was Saul’s purpose in heading to Damascus? How does Paul’s story inspire you? Why do you think Jesus blinded Paul?

Decide to pray for the persecuted church. Intercede for those whose lives are in danger because of their faith. For more information, check out www.voiceofthemartyrs.org.

Relationship Building ~ Bob Coy

So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Mark 10:51 (NKJV)

One of the most touching stories in all the Bible is the exchange that takes place between Jesus and the man who has come to be known as Blind Bartemaeus. It's "classic Jesus."

As the Lord makes His way through the city of Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartemaeus hears that He's within walking distance. The commotion of the crowd grows louder and louder as it passes by him. It's Jesus, and before the opportunity slips through his fingers, the blind man cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

His cries are barely audible above the murmur of the multitude. Then, someone takes notice of him, then another, and another. He keeps on calling out into the black void before him. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Before long the crowd starts telling him to shut up, that Jesus is too busy to bother with him.

But Jesus does what nobody expected. He stops dead in His tracks and asks that Blind Bartemaeus be brought to Him. Face to face, Jesus asks him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

At first, this question seems somewhat foolish. "Isn't it obvious? Here I am, blind and calling out to you! Do you think healing me might have something to do with it?" But as always, there's a deeper issue attached to Jesus' question. The reason He asked this question was to give Bartemaeus the opportunity to confess His request. "That I may receive my sight," says Bartemaeus.

More than just about anything else, Jesus wants to build relationship with us. A big part of that is when we express and confess the desires of our heart to Him. Regardless of how obvious our requests may be, He wants us to share them with Him.

Discuss what you would say if Jesus were to ask you what you want Him to do for you. Share your answer and the reason why you would make this request.

Dig into Mark 10:46–52. What impresses you about verses 49–50? What does Blind Bartemaeus do once he is healed? What does this passage say to you about Jesus’ compassion for people?

Decide to pray for those who long to be healed. Ask God to touch those who are in physical and spiritual need.

?We? not ?You? ~ Bob Coy

"Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" John 6:5 (NKJV)

Pretend you're Philip for just a moment. The hillsides are overrun with men, women, and children. It's late in the day and you're a good distance from anything that resembles a town or village. The crowd was so compelled to follow Jesus that plans for provision were passed over. But you and every other disciple knows that the basic need to eat will soon set in and change everyone's mood considerably.

Jesus knew it too, and He raised the issue by asking, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Now the Bible is very deliberate in telling us that Jesus already knew how He was going to handle the situation, but He asked this question in order to test Philip and the other disciples.

Philip responded as any of us would have. "We can't do that! We don't have enough to feed everyone!" He was half right. Yes, it was an impossible situation for Philip and the rest of the disciples. But notice that Jesus used the word "we," not "you." He included Himself in the equation, and as we know, He is the God of the impossible!

But getting back to the question...Jesus threw it out there so Philip and the others would acknowledge they didn't have the resource or means to feed everyone. It was a way of bringing them face to face with their inability, which then set the stage for Him to demonstrate His capability.

The take-away truth from this incredible event is that we can accomplish the impossible when Christ is involved in what we're doing.

Discuss and share with your group a recent time when you realized your inability and God’s capability. What hope did this give you? How did you see God’s power in this situation?

Dig into John 6:1–14. Why did Jesus test the disciples the way in which He did? How was the lad’s willingness to share a true act of simple faith? What other places in Scripture remind you of God’s ability to meet your need?

Decide to pray for the homeless in your community. Intercede, asking God to care and provide for them as only He can. As a group, be ready and willing to respond as God provides opportunity to minister to these who are in need.

Why Not Worry? ~ Bob Coy

"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" Matthew 6:27 (NKJV)

There are certain sins that seem to fly under the radar in Christian circles. We know they're wrong, but we don't put them in the same category as "big sins" such as kidnapping, adultery, or murder. As a matter of fact, we often justify these sins. One such sin is worry.

Make no mistake-Jesus defines worry as sin. He comes right out and commands us, "Do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25). There's as much divine authority behind this as the Ten Commandments, and yet we always seem to renew worry's lease in our hearts. But what could be a more brazen denial of the new life God has given us than worry? It's part of the old lifestyle, outside of Christ's provision and promises. When we worry, it's a real riches to rags story...and yet it's something we slip into so easily.

Jesus knows this, so in His Sermon on the Mount He not only tells us not to worry, but He also gives us a very logical reason why we shouldn't. He asks the question, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

In biblical times, a cubit was the standard unit of measurement. It was the distance from a person's elbow to their fingertip, which was usually about eighteen inches. By asking this rhetorical question, Jesus is making the strong statement that worrying never extended anyone's life, not even by eighteen inches. In fact, worry only serves to shorten life. Ask any doctor and they'll tell you that worry has never improved a patient's life. It saps a person of peace, strength, and hope, and it causes all types of physical ailments.

Regardless of what happens in life, don't worry. It's never going to add anything to your life; it's only going to steal from you.

Discuss with the group what you tend to worry about most frequently. What price have you paid for worry?

Dig into Matthew 6:25–34. How do these words of Jesus influence your thinking?

How does the Lord give you confidence and comfort when you read these scriptures?

Decide with your group to pray for those who are weighed down with worry. Bring their burdens to the Lord and ask God to grant them His perfect peace.

Trick Question ~ Bob Coy

"The baptism of John; was it from heaven or from men?" Luke 20:4 (NKJV)

It's difficult for us to understand the uncontested authority the Pharisees enjoyed and employed within Jewish culture. As long as anyone could remember, it was a given that these men were the custodians of truth. That is, until Jesus came along. "Radical" doesn't even begin to describe His stance towards the Pharisees. He repeatedly called them out and exposed them for their lack of true spiritual authority.

As it became clear the Pharisees were starting to lose ground in the hearts of the Jewish people, they launched their counter-attack. "What gives you the right to challenge us? By what authority do you say these things?" He could have answered their charge by simply declaring who He was, God in human flesh. But He asked them a question instead. "The baptism of John; was it from heaven or from men?"

This was actually a trick question on Christ's part that was designed to demonstrate they were the ones whose authority was lacking. It was a question they couldn't answer because if they said John was heaven-sent, people would wonder why they didn't accept Jesus the same way John did, On the other hand, they didn't dare deny John as being God-sent because the Jewish people were convinced of this. They feared offending the masses because they lacked true spiritual authority. So they were stuck.

They finally confessed, "We don't know!" So Jesus responded, "Well if you won't answer Me, I won't answer you." His point was to show them they had no business questioning Him since they couldn't even answer an obvious question about John. He put them in their place.

The truth we can take away from this exchange is simply this: The authority of Jesus is something we are to embrace and rejoice in, not challenge.

Discuss the authority of Jesus. In what area of your life have you seen the most significant change since you have recognized the authority of Jesus in your life?

Dig into Luke 20. What do you think the Pharisees were hoping for by questioning Jesus? How did His response silence his critics? What does this passage remind you of as you consider your own faith?

Decide to pray for those who are questioning the authority of Jesus. Ask God to give them a life-changing understanding of who He truly is.

Caught! ~ Bob Coy

Then He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" Mark 9:33 (NKJV)

Everybody knows what it's like to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. You get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. What seemed like such a great idea just a second ago suddenly becomes a source of humiliation. It's not a fun experience, but it's an essential part of growing up. Without it-without getting busted-our unhealthy appetites would go unchecked.

In Mark 9:33, Jesus catches the disciples with their hands in the cookie jar. They had just been arguing among themselves about which of them would be the greatest in God's Kingdom. "Greatest in God's Kingdom" is a contradiction of sorts, because in God's Kingdom the greatest happens to be the one with the most humble heart. So Kingdom greatness is not something that's attained by those who pursue it. The way up is down.

The disciples were in need of some serious discipleship on this point, so Jesus asked them what they were arguing about. You can just imagine that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Of course, nobody wanted to fess up and admit they'd been speaking so selfishly. There must have been an awkward, yet healthy, moment of contemplation. "Wow, what were we arguing about? Jesus never seems to worry about being great, so why should we?"

With their minds made pliable by the question, Jesus explains that the greatest in God's Kingdom will always be the most humble servant of all. The disciples understood His point, but it would still take some time for them to fully put this principle into practice...as it does with us.

From time to time, God asks us similar questions. Questions that bring our attitudes and actions to light, questions that catch us with our hands in the cookie jar. But when He does, He always does it for our discipleship.

Discuss God’s perspective on greatness. In your life, who has best demonstrated the Christian life? How is that person a true servant?

Dig into Mark 9:30–37. Why do you think Jesus posed this question? Why didn’t He receive an answer? What message did Jesus convey in verses 36–37? How does this challenge our faith?

Decide as a group to pray for those who faithfully serve in your local church. Thank God for the role that they play and the Kingdom contributions they make.

A Turned Page ~ Bob Coy

So He said to him, "What is your name?" Genesis 32:27 (NKJV)

In order to understand the importance of this question, you need to understand the person to whom it is addressed. It's Jacob-son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and heir to the covenant promises God gave to his grandfather (Genesis 12:1-3).

Jacob's character emerges as his story unfolds in Scripture. From the moment he was born, up through his adulthood, Jacob demonstrates the drive and desire to put himself ahead of others by any means necessary. Even his name (which means "heel catcher") is a testimony to his "me-first" mindset.

Then, one night, the Lord appears and engages him in a wrestling match. All night long, Jacob struggles and strains to come out on top. But he can't. Then, after hours of expending his own effort and energy, God knocks his hip out of joint. For a self-made man like Jacob, this was a huge blow. His life would never be the same. He would never have the ability to run or even run things as he had in the past. He was put in a place of profound weakness and inability.

It's then that the Lord asks him, "What is your name?" and it's a way of getting Jacob to acknowledge what he was all about up to that point...himself. But God goes on to tell him that from now on, in his new-found place of weakness, his name would be Israel, which means "ruled by God."

The Lord used this question to turn a page in Jacob's life story. Jacob, the one whose default was to rely on his own resourcefulness, would now be forced to depend on God to guide and govern his life.

What's your name? Who are you? Are you constantly set on charting your own course in life, or are you dependently living under the authority of the One who is better and wiser?

Discuss with your group the meaning of your name. Why were you given this name? In what ways have you “lived up” to your name?

Dig into Genesis 32:24–32. What do you find interesting about this encounter? Who is this angel who prevails? Why do you think Jacob was wounded in the hip? What’s the lesson to learn here?

Decide as a group to prayer for Israel. Lift up God’s chosen people and pray that they would recognize and embrace their Messiah!

Managing them the way He wanted ~ Bob Coy

A NOT-SO-OBVIOUS ANSWER

"Will a man rob God?" Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)

Will a man rob God? Now there's a question that seems to have an all-too-obvious answer. Of course not! He's too big, too powerful, and too mighty to be robbed by mere man. That's the sentiment God was banking on the Israelites having as He posed this question to them. Rob God? Of course not!

But the answer God gives to His own question isn't what one would expect. "Will a man rob God?" Yes, you actually have robbed me in tithes and offerings! That must have thrown Israel for a loop. Here's God Almighty, telling them that they've been guilty of stealing by withholding their tithes and offering from Him.

What a wake-up call! It was a powerful reminder that their finances really weren't theirs to begin with. They weren't owners but caretakers, entrusted with God's resources. And by not managing them the way He wanted, they were actually stealing from Him!

This is that part of the devotional that might prove to be a bit painful. For just as God asked Israel a question, we need to ask ourselves the same question. Are we robbing God by not managing His resources the way He wants?

We wouldn't normally think of ourselves as robbing from God, but neither did Israel. However, the example is right here in black and white. God expects His people to do certain things with the resources He entrusts to them. And if they aren't doing those things, then they're ripping Him off. 

What a wake up call!

If that describes you, if you've been guilty of robbing God by not giving to the Kingdom causes that He's called you to, the answer isn't to feel defeated or condemned. It's to start making those changes, little-by-little if necessary, that He wants and desires.

Discuss and share with your group about a time you had something stolen from you. How did you feel knowing you’d been robbed? What action did you take?

Dig into Malachi 3:1–15. What is the point the prophet is making regarding our giving? What promise accompanies this rebuke? How is this challenge to be generous applicable to all believers? What changes do you need to make?

Decide as a group to pray for each group member’s personal integrity. Ask God to do a purifying work in your heart and refine the motives that move you to action.

What will it profit a man? ~ Bob Coy

PERSPECTIVE'S POWER

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 (NKJV)

Perspective is a powerful thing. In fact, a person's perspective is practically everything. It will determine how he spends his time, the associations he makes, and the thoughts he dwells on. In short, perspective dictates the way people live their lives. 

Jesus was the Master of providing perspective, which He does by posing this question, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Translation: Look at your life through an eternal lens, not an earthly lens! 

The truth of the matter is that eventually our life here on earth will come to an end. When it does, all the trinkets and toys-absolutely everything we've accrued and acquired here on earth-will forever fade away. The stuff of this world won't be making it into the next, and those who are consumed and committed to the things of this world are in for a rude awakening. It's like fighting over the deckchair with the best view on the Titanic. It just won't matter in the end. 

Sadly, too many people spend their years living that way because they lack the perspective Jesus presents in this passage. If everyone lived with eternity in mind, if they made decisions and choices based on the infinite existence that is ahead, things would look a lot different. There'd be more grace than greed, more mercy than materialism, more blessing than burden. They'd look more like Jesus. 

The good news is that no matter how long we may have lived for this world, it's not too late to prioritize matters of the soul and begin investing in the Kingdom of God.

Discuss and share something in your life that you pursued with passion and later discovered wasn?t worth as much as you had thought.

How did your perspective change?

Dig into Mark 8:35?37.

Why do you think Jesus shared this with His followers?

What makes this teaching so difficult for us?

In what ways are you trying to gain the world? In what ways do you feel you may be losing your soul?

Decide as a group to pray for your employers.

Ask God to give them an eternal perspective and to use your witness to draw them closer to Christ.