Tag Archives: defeated

You Just Don’t Get It Do You

Have you ever been clueless, left in the dark or lost?  Are you a quick learner or does it take you longer than the average person to understand something?  Whatever the situation, you may experience a moment or subject that you just don’t get.  Today’s title sounds like something that I heard numerous times from my parents in my youth.

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? – Mark 8:17

One day Jesus struggled with the lack of discernment that his disciples possessed.  Despite witnessing miracles daily, these godly men were mental midgets, regularly missing the point of Jesus’ actions.  Thus, Jesus appears to be frustrated in the passage above as if to say, “you just don’t get it do you?”

Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? – Mark 8:18

Today, Christians often walk around defeated, void of the power of the Holy Spirit.  Instead of walking by faith, selfish servants of God tend to demand a sign as if the resurrection wasn’t enough.  Unfortunately, out of sight, out of mind also refers to believers who are struggling to make sense of their current situation in life.  When communication with the Lord fades, frustrated souls just want to know if they are on the right track or not.  The sooner you acknowledge that you don’t have a clue, the greater the likelihood that God will shine light on your prayers and concerns.

by Jay Mankus

 

About to Pass You By

Anyone who is fixated on their circumstances, may miss someone or something that God wants you to see.  Blind spots don’t just occur on car mirrors, individuals can get so entrenched in their own lives that time can pass you by.  If you’re not careful, you might wake up one morning and most of your life is gone.

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, Mark 6:48.

Jesus tried to teach his disciples a similar lesson following the feeding of the 5000 in Mark 6.  Sending them ahead in a boat, Jesus stayed back to pray on a mountainside.  I’m not sure why he walked on the water, but it appears God wanted His son to do so, serving as an abstract lesson.  Although the sun had not risen yet, moonlight provided Jesus with light to see his way.  About to pass their boat by, the disciples finally recognized him, causing a stir of emotions.

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.” – Mark 6:49-50

If Jesus could feed a crowd of 5,000, walking on water shouldn’t have been a surprise to his disciples.  Nonetheless, people limit God’s power, surprised by answered prayers and miracles.  Perhaps so many walk around defeated, they don’t know what its like to experience victory in Christ.  Doubt, failure and misery can promote a sense of hopelessness that lingers. Therefore, if you feel like time is about to pass you by without tasting success, take courage, don’t be afraid and believe in the power of the resurrection to transform your situation.

by Jay Mankus