Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the summer archives because I want to go over the Gospel of Mark from the beginning.. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 119,  Proverbs 2,, and Mark 3:21)

^“When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:21, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what can I learn about Jesus' family?

1. Jesus’ family heard that He did not even have time to eat.

2. Jesus’ family went to take charge of Him.

3. Jesus’ family said, “He is out of his mind.”

Interpretation:

I asked myself why is it so significant what His family was doing?

Jesus’ family cared for Jesus so when they heard He did not have time to eat they intervened and came to take charge of Him. They felt they knew what was best for Jesus. They even went as far as to state that ‘He is out of his mind.’ but Jesus has everything under control as I have seen earlier in this chapter.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. There are times I am called to do things that my family may not understand so they want to take charge of the situation.

Why? Because they love me and believe they always know what is best for me.

When I continue to go ahead doing what I am doing, they can even perceive me to be out of my mind. This will make them want to take more charge of the situation.

When I do not do what my family wants me to do but do what God wants me to do, I can be seen as being out of my mind because my family may see situations another way. However, as important as family is what God wants us to do is more important. Jesus was seen as being out of His mind but Jesus had everything in control. Just because He did not have time to eat does not mean He lost control of the situation.

It is important to remember that my family may not always agree to where God has called me to. If I continue in that path, they would want to interfere and take charge of the situation. They do that because they love me. I need to still honor my family but also remember there is danger in giving into the situation. It is not just family but friends too.

I need to continue to do what I feel the Lord has called me to in faith.

I use my family as an example to make a point. I thank the Lord for my family and how much Jesus has used my mommy to show me His love for me and for all my mommy's encouragement in ministry.

Sadly, we cannot always have the support of our families in what we do. My dad does not support what I do but I thank the Lord, he understands. 

I ask you now dear friends, how are your actions seen by your family?

Dear friend, if your actions are seen by your family as being ‘out of your mind’, you need to ask yourself, ‘if what you are doing is in line with the will of God and will bring the Lord honor and glory’. If the answer is ‘YES’ and you know what the Lord wants you to do, you need to be obedient and go on that path for He is the Light of the world and will give you visibility and direction in the path you should go.

Your family may not understand it. They can even think you are out of your mind because you gave up this and that to go follow Jesus. But, you should not give up to the pressure. They will come and want to take charge of the situation. In love, you need to let them see why you have to do what you are doing. I speak from personal experience from long time ago! Things have changed for the better now! This may not always be the case when we serve Jesus Christ!

If it is being a Christian and your family objects, let them see by your actions and love, why you became a Christian and the difference Jesus makes in your life.

If it is giving up a prestigious career for the ministry, let them see and help them understand why you have even given up your career for the ministry, etc.

Jesus was doing things counter-culturally so His own family had issues with Him. Your family could have issues with you but you should not give up. This can be the hardest thing, to go up against family wishes but it is worse not to follow the Way of the Master.

We all have to make choices and sometimes the choices involve not agreeing with family decisions. This should only be the case as long as those decisions are not in line with the will of God. Now to go up against family for our selfish reasons is totally being disobedient to God and family. But, to take the side of the Lord over family when family does things against the will of God is the right thing to do even if it is painful.

It is not just family you may have trouble with but your peers and those around you. Most persecutions for someone’s faith start in the family before they start outside. Yet, you should know you are in the palm of the Lord and let Him guide you and lead you! He wants to make you part of His family. That is so awesome to know that even when father and mother forsake someone, the Lord will never forsake them when they become part of His family. Faithfully Almighty Messiah is loving you so you are loved by the best!

To all who received Him, He gave them right to become children of God! All they needed to do was believe on His name. (John 1:12)

May you come to know the love of the family of God, especially the love of God in your life as you seek to follow Jesus Christ in all you say and do! Amen!

“Faithfully Almighty Messiah Is Loving You!” (F.A.M.I.L.Y)/”"How are your actions seen by your family?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, just because you did not have time to eat, your family came to take charge of you and even said that you were out of your mind. This is because you did things your Heavenly Father's way. We know Lord that you have everything under control but we human beings lean onto our own understanding. Please forgive us Lord and help us please. Oh Lord I pray for all those who are having trouble with their families especially when following you causes persecution to them in their own families. Families try to intervene and take charge of the situation. Help us Oh Lord not to give in when giving in causes us to be disobedient to you. Whatever we do for your honor and glory help us to honor our family as you have called us to do and also love them even when they persecute us. Lord we know not all families are like that and we also know families that serve you as a family. Thank you for that! Help us please to live for you and be obedient to you by our actions. Thank you Jesus that you hear us and answer us! Jesus, thank you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us! Please come into my heart and make my heart your home! Please live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus you have done that, heard my prayers, and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!

If you need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of October 2005, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Next Devotional:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?"

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