Do you have a word for the year? We’re diving into decision-making and trusting in God, inspired by my friend’s word for 2024, “DECIDE.” We’ll start off in Mark’s gospel, studying the importance of trusting God over self-reliance. I hope you sink into Jesus’ mercy, trusting the sovereign plan of our loving Heavenly Father. His plans are always perfect.
Show Notes:
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Transcription:
Did you pick a word for 2024? I did, and I’ve already forgotten it, but I’m pretty sure I’m not going to forget my friend Debbie’s, and I don’t think you will either. Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host and my friend Debbie chose the word “decide.” I’m in love with this word. There’s so much action and heart behind it, and in one word, especially if you put it on a post-it note on your steering wheel, or at your desk, or hello on the fridge for me, in one word, you realize, okay, I have the power to decide how this thing is going to go. Whether it means how I’m going to handle a tricky situation that involves another human being, or whether you’re going to go in for a piece of cake after you’ve already eaten enough for the day. Hello, that’s me. I struggle when it comes to food, but I love this. I’m making it my word, but not just for 2024, but for all time. It’s a word that God is now using in my life, and I thought this is the perfect word for a podcast series. So here we go. Every day you and I are going to make a conscious decision. Every day we’re going to decide to do something God asks us to do in the Bible. Today, what if you and I decide to trust? Join me now in Mark’s gospel, chapter 16, you thought we were done with Easter Uh uh Easter is a year round celebration here on the Bible for Busy People. So verse one, Mark 16,
Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
Now, I want to pitch a little tent here on our walk with the two Mary’s and Salome because how often do you and I do this? We try to figure it out. Whatever IT is, when God has it all ready figured out, and all we need to do is put our hands in his and trust him. This is such a mind blowing example to me. Okay, verse four now,
But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
I want to camp on that for a hot second, including Peter. The angel wants Peter to know that Jesus still loves him, that the mercy of God is bigger than any mistake Peter could make or that you or I might ever make. I thought it was so telling that Mark included that little tiny phrase that’s huge to you and to me. Jesus’s mercy is bigger than our mistakes. Okay, so what can we take from this incredible story? I believe there is a message in this story for you and for me today. What is that thing that stone in your life that you are so worried about? How are we going to move this stone. Right now, can you ask the Lord for faith that he is already taking care of it? I want to invite you to join me in Proverbs chapter three, beginning in verse five,
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Let’s go down to verse seven because that’s not as familiar.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
There are so many reasons to trust the Lord. Psalm 37, now join me in verse three,
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. 6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
I’m hearing so many actionable phrases here. If you and I trust in the Lord and do good, the psalmist is telling us that we’re going to live safely in the land and prosper. When we take delight in the Lord, he’s going to give us our heart’s desires. So what does that mean? How do we trust in him? We take a deep breath and we say, Lord, maybe we say it out loud, “I am not going to worry about this. I’m going to decide to trust you.” And maybe we say it out loud every day until we start to operate in that belief. I think faith is so much like exercise. You have to use the muscles God gave you, right? And it’s uncomfortable. I can’t stand lifting weights, but see in the spiritual realm, it’s Jesus who does the heavy lifting. Say it out loud. Take delight in the Lord. This is what you are doing now. You have made time for the God of the universe to speak to your heart, so I want to encourage you to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Give it all to him. Let him roll the stones of life away. I don’t know who needs to hear this today. My hand is in the air. Let him do the heavy lifting. Our job is to trust him. We give it back to you. God, we know you can do it. Alright, until next time, let’s decide to trust the Lord. You are loved.
Thank you for making time for the Bible for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God. I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and thrive in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.
