A FEW THOUGHTS ON TODAYS READING...
The Sabbath was one of many gifts that God gave to man. It was meant to be a day to relax and reflect on Him. But man's traditions have made it into a tedious, complex and at times arbitrary bunch of rules which are so far from its original intent. Jesus said in Mark 2:27, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath...". The very next story involves a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath. We read in Mark 3:2,4: "So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him...Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. Jesus went on to heal the man in front of them. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 another time which says, "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,".
Man made traditions enter slowly and insidiously. If not careful it forms a religion which pushes out a true relationship with God. Staying true to God's Word and being in a true relationship with Him may ostracize you from others. Just remember Jesus' words in Mark 4:21, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lamp stand?" Tradition will deafen many and marginalize those who are willing to stay outside the crowd and fix themselves to God's Word. What Jesus said then is as true now, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:23).
THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. ~Numbers 6:24-26

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter." - Francis Chan








"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
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