May 15, 2020
Mark 9:38-41
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.  Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
New International Version (NIV)
“Boy, I would cheat you at marbles,” said the former pastor of a church I served.  He wanted me to know he was competitive.  I grew up with three brothers, so I know all about competition.  I was in a race the day I was born, even though I didn’t know it yet.  Who can play baseball better?  Who is a better mechanic?  Who can make the best grades at school?   We were all in it to win it. 

Competition can be good, inspiring us to work harder to achieve.  On the other hand, extreme competition can bring out the worst in us.  We can revert to a tribal mentality. We may begin to treat others who are not on our particular team as though they were against us.   

John, showing a bit of the thunder in the nickname he shared with James, “Sons of Thunder,” stopped another person who was driving out demons because he was not one of the disciples.  For John, ministry was a competition.  Relationship with God was a zero sum.  God can’t use you and me at the same time. 

I’ve seen this in churches.  One  pastor in a small central Texas town told another pastor, “We will close your doors.”  I drove through there a while back.  The doors to the church were still open.  Many churches are taking many paths back to reopening their buildings these days.  Some of the pressure pastors feel is to be first to reopen.  Going first is not always the best thing to do.  Anyone who has been around landmines knows that. 

Another approach is to see other ministries as teammates.  I have prayed more for other pastors in these days than at any time I can remember.  Each church is unique in its reach into the community and approach to ministry.  We have all been online for awhile.  Even my favorite preachers like Alistair Begg, Ralph West and Kerry Tillmon are preaching in empty rooms, just as I am.  Ministries in times of crisis are not one-size fits all.  Large churches like Northpoint led by Andy Stanley and Passion City led by Louie Giglio say they will wait to reopen until the end of summer when kids go back to school.  Others opened early in May.  I am praying for all of them.  Why?  Whoever is not against us is for us.  

There is so much need these days.  Let’s serve others in Jesus name because we belong to the Messiah.  Rejoice with those who rejoice.  Weep with those who weep.  And know for sure that God’s love is not a zero sum.  He can love each of us and all of us at the same time with a love that will never fail, nor diminish.  Rejoice!
Pray with me:         
Father, we thank you for the ministry you have given to each of us and all of us.  Help us to love people in the name of Jesus today.  Remind us that Jesus alone is our true brand.  Forgive us for times that we diminish others to exalt ourselves.  Help us to become less so that Jesus becomes greater still.  This is our prayer in Jesus’ name.  Amen.   
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:40-42
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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