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Unwanted Super Hero- Mark 6

January 6, 2009 in Bible,Forefrontwith 6 Comments

Haven’t read the daily reading? Click here for today’s passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the pdf

The other night my wife and I sat down and watched “Hancock.” I was definitely down with that movie. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely check it out. He is the guy from another world- He tries to help people in need, but even as he helps people, he isn’t really accepted, people just want more, or they don’t even recognize him.

Sounds a lot like Jesus in the reading today. He’s in his home town, the religious leaders question Him asking, “What authority do you have? Aren’t you that carpenter’s son?” So, He moves on, but in the process does some amazing things: walks on water, feeds 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish, sends out the 12 to spread the message of love.

Jesus continually pushes forward doing what God called Him to do no matter what the reaction or who questioned Him.

His disciples get worried in a storm- Jesus calms it.
People come with needs- Jesus feeds them.
People need healing and miracles- Jesus does the miraculous.
Leaders question Him- Jesus responds in love and continues with ministry as He has been called.

So, if people push back, take advantage of you, or don’t even recognize your deeds of love… just keep doing what God has called you to do. Even if you are an Unwanted Super Hero.

Daily Reading- Mark, Chapter 3

December 31, 2008 in Bible,Forefrontwith 0 Comments

Haven’t read the daily reading? Click here for today’s passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the pdf

I love the book of Mark. I’m extremely A.D.D. and so the fact that he kind of moves from moment to moment quickly- it keeps my attention. There was one verse that really stuck out in this chapter after reading it this morning. Verses 24-25:

“24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

It made me think about two things.

Number one- my wife.
She knows what’s best almost all of the time for our family (notice I said what’s best and not, what’s right, I can’t ever tell her she’s right- j/k). Anytime something comes up she is usually the first to lay out a plan, but sometimes we don’t always agree. That causes the house to be divided- because sometimes disagreements in our house turn into World War 3 (I’m sure that never happens in your house). I wonder if our communication was better, if our relationship with God was stronger and more consistent, and we learned to compromise & give a little more… if our house would not be divided in those moments? I think we could fall into a place where God was the center and it wasn’t about our desires or plans. We’re not a wreck, but we are continually striving for a better marriage and family environment.

Number two- God’s church.
Everyone’s got an idea how to create and be the biggest, baddest church in the whole universe. I have my ideas, you ave your ideas, your kids and our students and our pets probably even have ideas… So what happens in the church when you put a ton of people who love God and are passionate about Him and have their idea of what’s best?!? It gets messy. The church was never meant to be a safe place. We bring baggage, hurt, pain, addiction, questions, doubts, and the list goes on. With all of that we want it to be a place where people can find Jesus and we can grow. So, through that passion sometimes comes ownership of ideas that if they aren’t made to happen- people get frustrated. Through that passion people in ministry areas butt heads over who is right.

I love that passion, but a house divided cannot stand. As followers of Jesus, we need to seek His plan. His plan for Forefront, for you, for those who are far from God. As we move forward into 2009, my prayer is that we will be a house that has “gel’ed” together through one common bond- that’s the fact that we love Jesus and want to share it with others. I wasn’t expecting a super big revelation today through the reading (to be honest), but God continues to speak to me and I’m so glad we’re doing this reading plan as a church.

Until next time,

Jason *over and out*

Daily Reading- Mark, Chapter 1

December 29, 2008 in Bible,Forefront,Leadershipwith 0 Comments

Haven’t read the daily reading? Click here for today’s passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the 2009 plan

There is a lot going on with Jesus in this first section of Mark. We see him get baptized, tempted for 40 days by the devil, gets his team together (the disciples), drives out an evil spirit, heals a ton of people, gets away to pray, then starts the cycle all over again. The thing that stands out to me while reading this is the praying portion.

Verse 35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

In the midst of chaos and life going in a million directions; Jesus took the time to pray. Now what he prayed for I have no clue, but I’m willing to bet it was for strength and peace. I know throughout life I have faced some pretty trying times (many of you at Forefront have too), and in the middle of everything happening I have to remind myself to ask God to give my family and I peace and strength so we can look to him, rely on him, and not go totally insane. When we lean on him, things become clearer. When we trust him and go to God in prayer, he rewards our faithfulness.

Until next time,

Jason *over and out*

Daily Reading

August 19, 2008 in Bible,Leadership,Lifewith 2 Comments


I love the discipleship group I’m in. There are three other dudes that I look up to and respect. We meet online every Wednesday and live & in person every other Saturday. It is such a great encouragement to me. If you aren’t meeting regularly with someone or a group… it’s time to start sucka.

Anyway, we read a book of the bible every two weeks in depth and talk about how God is speaking to us through the book. Here’s part of today’s reading:

“God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.” 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 MSG

Wow. I know I believed this, but reading it this morning challenged me even more. I am not doing this for any man. My life was given to God in the early 90′s (to which I messed up quite a bit) and then my vocation was given to Him in 1997. I can’t look to please the masses. Period. My audience and final say is a single being. God himself.

E’nuf said.

Panera for Enlightenment

June 25, 2008 in Bible,Lifewith 6 Comments

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-”


Sitting in Panera this morning I read these words in Ephesians and it shouted back at me. It said…

“Jason, you are worth it. I wanted you to be a part of this. Quit being so down on yourself when you slip. Your short comings are normal. Just ask me for forgiveness and be done with it already. You have a job to do. You’ve been called, marked, paid for and redeemed… so get with it already.”

I totally needed to read this passage this morning. What is God talking to you about these days?
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