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Wednesday—May 1 • Popularity Comes and Goes The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. Mark 3:8b, nlt
The life cycle of popularity (this is adapted from a Seth Godin blog) is as follows, with “X” representing just about any celebrity: •• Who is X? •• Get me X. •• Get me someone like X, only cheaper. •• Get me a newer version of X. •• Who is X? Popularity comes, popularity goes. Yet the popularity of Jesus has never waned. The Bible has always been a bestseller. Why? Jesus did what was really needed in response to the crowds of people that surrounded Him. He didn’t jump in
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a stretch limo and drive away. He lingered, listened, and finally met their greatest need. He wants us to do the same thing. Jesus told us to go and make disciples. This is your mission. Do this by giving men what they need to become disciples in the context of what they want. Whatever is messed up in their cause, companion or conviction, we need to meet people at that need and show them the gospel. You and I are the ones He has asked to help. MIMBS 3 Who has God put into your life for you to make a disciple? What is their point of need that you can start from? Daily Reading: Judges 13:1– 14:20, John 1:29–51, Psalm 102:1–28, Proverbs 14:15–16
Thursday—May 2 • Needs vs. Wants Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4, nlt
We live on a lake, and I enjoy taking a chair down to eat lunch on our dock. It’s so calm and quiet. Last week I was having lunch and saw across the lake something that I only get to see about once a year: eagles. I was fascinated and started to pray, “Lord, it would be such an encouragement to me if You would send those eagles over here so I could enjoy them and give You glory and view Your creation.” A few minutes later a crow landed on the piling. Normally, you can’t get near crows; they are too skittish, but I could have reached out my arm and touched that crow, it was that close. We stared at each other for
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about 20 seconds and he flew away. Then as I thought about my request, I started to laugh and said, “God, what I want and what I need are two really different things.” It is easy to get sidetracked by our own desires. We have to continually trust that God knows and provides our needs. MIMBS 3 When has there been a major difference between what you wanted or thought you needed and what God has given you? Talk about this with some other men. Daily Reading: Judges 15:1–16:31, John 2:1–25, Psalm 103:1–22, Proverbs 14:17–19