Mark 9:40For whoever is not against us is for us.
In today's verse, Jesus is defending the man who is casting out demons in His name even though he is not a member of His elite circle of followers. Essentially, He is saying that there are two types of people in this world: Those who love God and those who don't. It's as simple and straightforward as that. There is no gray area, no wiggle-room, no place for indifference, no hemming and hawing, period!
If only the other choices we have to make throughout our lives were that unambiguous. Few are black or white, either/or, cut and dried. Major decisions require earnest thought, weighing all the pros and cons, before determining what we need to do. When I'm in these situations, I am so thankful that I can go to God in prayer, trusting that He will help me to draw the right conclusions and make the choices that are pleasing in His sight. After all, if I am standing with Him, what or who can stand against me?
Are you facing some tough choices or decisions in your life today? Go to God in prayer. He's standing by and with you, ready to lead you to the right answers.
"And if our God is for us,
Then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us,
What can stand against?" ~ Chris Tomlin
Readings
Psalms 87, 90 or 136
2 Samuel 12:15-31
Acts 20:1-16
Mark 9:30-41
Great thoughts Martha. Thank you. I'm not really facing tough decisions or choices this morning, but I am in the process of personal re-creation. I'm trying to determine what the second half of my life is supposed to look like spiritually, relationally, and vocationally. It's difficult yet necessary to find God at these intersections in life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments, Bill. It may be a long process, but I have no doubt that God will lead you on the right path with Him the whole way. Yes, He is standing with you!
ReplyDeleteA great reminder Martha! And I often find when I am going through times of trial and feel overwhelmed it's at those moments I realize that I have not gone to God in prayer or have taken a deep breath, centering myself in His presence. What a loving and faithful God we have, always there for us admidst all our joys and sorrows, carrying us through and lighting the way.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
“For whoever is not against us is for us.”
ReplyDeleteImagine if every Christian took this stance! How much division would we see in the Body of Christ then?
How many would be pointing the bony finger at others in judgment?
I know some ministries who write only exposes of other ministries. And I wonder why they are so busy trying to remove the speck from the eye of others…
Your comments are tremendous, sisters! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to write your thoughts here. Comforting to know that we are all standing with God!
ReplyDelete