SCRIPTURE:^“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." (Mark 8:14-16, NIV)

OBSERVATION:
I asked myself what do we learn about the disciples in v.14?
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.

INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself why is it mentioned that the disciples had forgotten to bring bread except for one loaf they had with them in the boat?
I believe it is to show that the disciples still did not get it. They still were so focused on what they did not have then who they had with them. Jesus knew what they were thinking in their minds even before they discussed it with one another so Jesus talks to them about the Pharisees and that of Herod.

IMPLICATIONS:

I saw important implications for my own life. Anything that is mentioned in the Word of God is significant no matter how insignificant I think a verse maybe. In this case, the mention of the disciples forgetting to bring bread on the boat shows where there focus was on. It was what they did not have then who they had. They had Jesus with them and Jesus had already fed the 5000 and even the 4000, yet the disciples seemed to have forgotten that when Jesus warned them about the yeast of Pharisees and Herod.

This made me see that I need to focus on Jesus no matter what I have or don't have because when I have Jesus, He can take care of the rest. I need to focus on the things Jesus has already done in my life lest I forget so quickly His miracles and work in my life. When I do forget I put myself in a position where my life may reflect the life of the Pharisees or Herod. There is a reason Jesus warned them about the yeast of the Pharisees and this implication I hope to dwell in tomorrow.

I ask you now dear friend, where is your focus in life?
Dear friend, where our focus is that's where our heart will be too. The disciples focus was on what they did not have so they were dwelling on that problem instead of focusing on who was with them. Jesus was with them and He could have easily fed them like Jesus fed the 5000 or 4000.

When we focus on things we do not have whether it is a relationship, a prestigious career, material things, fame, fun, fortune, etc we will be focusing and worshipping the created than the Creator. Jesus was with the disciples and Jesus will be with us too. We do not have to focus on things we do not have but can focus on the One to whom all things belong.

Friend, Jesus knows what you need and when you need it. We cannot always understand His ways but His ways are best. We need to keep focusing on Christ in our lives so we do not focus on things that make us forget about who Christ is and why He came.

Focusing on Christ also helps us to overcome the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod which is another topic in itself. When we focus on Christ, we do not give opportunity to the enemy that prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. That is what Satan wants to do. He wants to devour us.

When we focus on humanity and its goodness, we give more credit to humanistic ideals and morality which themselves will fail because morality apart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ is no morality at all. On the surface things may look good and even go fine but eventually they will crumble.

'The Dark Knight' is a fascinating movie with an unexpected Gospel centered message woven throughout the script that addresses the issue of focus too.

My review of it can be seen online at http://www.pittsburghstandard.com/JULY2008/ENTERTAINMENT/TheDarkKnight071808.htm

Going back to the passage at hand, it is so interesting that people of the third world focus more on Christ than people who are living in wealthier nations, etc. This is so sad and yet so true. The reason is those who live in wealthier places etc many times have there focus on the material things that they do not look to Christ as their focus. The materialism corrupts their relationship with the Lord. On the other hand, many times in third world countries, etc the focus is first on Christ, because they come to depend on Christ for everything in their poverty too knowing He can deliver them and provide them with the peace, purpose, power, and pardon.

Friend, we need to focus on Jesus Christ and the Gospel no matter where we are. Anything less, we need to heed the warning Jesus gave to his disciples on the boat. Focusing on Christ means, we forever remember why Jesus came and what purpose He accomplished.

Jesus came to set mankind free from the bondage to sin that captivates each one as they are trapped in Satan's lies. To other's we maybe good but to God without Christ our works are like filthy rags to Him. That is why God in His love for humanity sent Jesus Christ to come die for our sin. Yes, friend Jesus knew only His precious cleansing blood, for life is in the blood, could wipe away the virus known as sin as His blood became the antidote.

But Jesus was not going to make people believe in Him in fear but because they wanted to. The thief on the cross realized that he was a sinner in need of redemption and Jesus had done no wrong but went to the cross for those that have done wrong including him.

We need to realize that too and when our focus is on Christ alone who can redeem us and save us from the bondage of sin, we will be set free. It won't matter what we have or who we have when we have that special relationship with Jesus. Jesus will take care of the rest.

May the Lord help you to always focus on Christ understanding Salvation! Amen!

"Focus On Christ Understanding Salvation!" (F.O.C.U.S)/"Where is your F.O.C.U.S in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for loving me and dying for my sin. Thank you for coming back to life to save me. Thank you for teaching me and reminding me when I focus on things I do not have, that takes away my focus on you. Help me to be focused on you knowing all the cattle on the hill and everything belongs to you. You can give me whatever you want whenever you want if you choose. Help me to focus on you so that I do not become like a Pharisee or Herod. I know I am guilty of that when I don't focus on you. Thank you for the lessons you teach the disciples and help me with the lessons you teach me. I am so sorry that I am prone to forget the things you have done for me many times when faced with a crisis. Forgive me Oh Lord and help me. Thank you that I can focus on you. Thank you for the cross and what you did on the cross for me. At the cross you died for my sin! At the cross, you gave your life for me. Thank you so much Jesus. Help me to live for you and serve you! Thank you Lord so much for your help! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!!

If you want Christ in your life, make this your prayer. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking you need all the answers before coming to Christ. Let me just assure you though you may not have all the answers right now before coming to Jesus, He will answer them slowly. Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer will! Amen!

Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for being the Bread of Life. You are the Living Bread of my life. Thank you for coming from Heaven and giving your life for the life of the world. You sacrificed yourself for humanity. Thank you Lord when we eat of you symbolically making you part of our life, digesting what you teach us by following you, we can be living Eternally, and the fruit that comes will reflect and resemble your life. I want that Father God. I want that Lord Jesus! I want that Holy Spirit! I know of a lot of people who partake of Holy Communion where the bread represents your body broken for their sin and the juice represents your blood shed for their sin. When we partake of Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are remembering you. I want to remember you always Lord Jesus. But for me to remember you always, I need to know you and acknowledge everything you said you are. So right now I acknowledge that you are my Lord and Personal Savior who died and rose again to give me life from sin. So right now, I come to you and say how sorry I am for my sin and living a life on my own. I repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me of my sin with your cleansing blood which I accept. Wash me and I will be clean from this infection of sin. Come Lord Jesus and please become part of my life as you live in me and I will live for you. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I do need your Spirit to reside in me and work in me and through me so I surrender all that I am and will be to you. Whatever your will is for me, please give me the strength and willingness to bear it and rejoice in you. Thank you so much Jesus. I thank you Jesus for becoming my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and have answered me. I thank you that I am your child Oh God. I thank you for becoming my only Way to Eternal Life. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Express Your View

.Click picture to read my dad's memoriam:

' I AM ' Series Archives:

What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13, 07, 10:09 a.m.)

Gospel of Mark Archives:

Mark 1:1: "What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan 15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan 12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)

Mark 1:5-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08, 8:48 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08, 11:21 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08, 8:53 a.m.)

Mark 1:12-13: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19, 08, 12:27 p.m.)

Mark 1:14-15: How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan 21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)

Mark 1:16-18: "What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan 26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)

Mark 1:19-20: "Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?" (Jan 29, 08, 10:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan 30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan 31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

Mark 1:23-28: "What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb 01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:3-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 1:29-31: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05, 08, 11:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:32-34: "Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06, 08, 11:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:35-39: "Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb 07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-45: "What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

MARK CHAPTER 2:

Mark 2:1-2: "What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb 12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb 13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb 15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb 16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb 18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)

Mark 2:13-15: "Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb 19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)

Mark 2:15-17: "Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20, 08, 9:57 a.m.)

Mark 2:18-20: "When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 2:21-22: "How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08, 9:56 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb 23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb 25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

CHAPTER 3:

Mark 3:1-6:"Whose N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08, 9:54 a.m.)

Mark 3:7-8: "What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08, 8:17 a.m.)

Mark 3:9-11: "What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb 28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)

Mark 3:11-12: "How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08, 9:11 a.m.)

Mark 3:13-16: "What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?" (March 01, 08, 9:29 a.m.)

Mark 3:17-19: "Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March 03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)

Mark 3:20: "Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08, 12:07 p.m.)

Mark 3:21: "How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 3:22-27: "How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06, 08, 7:57 a.m.)

Mark 3:28-30: "What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08, 8:18 a.m.)

Mark 3:31-34: "What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20: "What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March 10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Audio: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)

Mark 4:21-23: "What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12, 08, 9:40 a.m.)

Audio: "What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 8:52 a.m.)

John 12:12-15: "How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17, 08, 1:25 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March 20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)

"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March 25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)

Mark 4:24-25: "What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March 31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)

Mark 4:26-29: "What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April 05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)

Mark 4:30-34: "What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08, 11:48 a.m.)

Mark 4:35-41: "What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

CHAPTER 5:

Mark 5:1-13: "Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08, 11:50 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08, 11:46 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08, 10:40 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08, 11:32 a.m.)

Mark 5:20: "What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April 16, 08, 12:03 p.m.)

Proverbs 17:4: "What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08, 6:52 p.m.)

Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14: "How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April 24, 08, 9:26 a.m.)

Mark 5:21: "Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April 28, 08, 9:36 a.m.)

Mark 5:22-24: "What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April 29, 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: “Unclean Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)" (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:30-34: “Forever, Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)” (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-37: “Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously! (T.I.M.I.N.G)” (May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-42: "What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?" (May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)

CHAPTER 6:

Mark 6:1-2:"Where do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?" (May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?" (May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3: "Who/Where is your I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?" (May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

Mark 6:4: "When do you feel A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D in your life" (May 13, 08, 8:21 a.m.)

Mark 6:4-6: "How is your F.A.I.T.H in the Lord?" (May 14, 08, 8:01 a.m.)

Mark 6:6-7:"What do you T.E.A.C.H by your life?" (May 15, 08, 10:34 a.m.)

Mark 6:6-7:"Who are you S.E.N.T by?" (May 16, 08, 6:49 a.m.)

Mark 6:7-11:"Where are you S.T.A.Y.I.N.G in your life?" (May 17, 08, 8:38 a.m.)

Mark 6:12-13: "How is your spiritual H.E.A.L.T.H in your life?" (May 20, 08, 7:41 a.m.)

Mark 6:12-14: "What have people H.E.A.R.D about Jesus through you?" (May 21, 08, 8:36 a.m.)

Mark 6:14-16: "What do you T.H.I.N.K about Jesus?" (May 22, 08, 10:02 a.m.)

Mark 6:16-17: "How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S in your life?" (May 23, 08, 9:05 a.m.)

Mark 6:17-20: "When do you S.P.E.A.K out?" (May 24, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" (May 26, 08, 9:55 a.m.)

Mark 6:21-25: "What has the T.O.N.G.U.E done in your life?" (May 27, 08, 8:27 a.m.)

Mark 6:25-29: "What has P.R.I.D.E done in your life?" (May 28, 08, 8:25 a.m.)

Mark 6:30: "What is your M.I.S.S.I.O.N you have been called to?" (May 29, 08, 8:19 a.m.)

Mark 6:31-32: "Where do you find R.E.S.T in your life?" (May 30, 08, 8:04 a.m.)

Mark 6:33-34: "Who have you made the S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D of your life?" (May 31, 08, 8:37 a.m.)

Mark 6:35-44: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (June 02, 08, 8:34 a.m.)

Mark 6:45: "Whose C.A.R.E are you really in?" (June 03, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 6:46: "When do you P.R.A.Y in your life?" (June 03, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 6:46-48b:"What T.R.O.U.B.L.E are you facing in your life?" (June 05, 08, 9:53 a.m.)

Mark 6:48-50: "What is the F.E.A.R you are facing in life?" (June 06, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

Mark 6:51-52: "How have you H.A.R.D.E.N.E.D your heart?" (June 07, 08, 9:09 a.m.)

Mark 6:53-54: "What are you R.E.C.O.G.N.I.Z.E.D for in your life?" (June 09, 08, 9:37 a.m.)

Mark 6:55-56: "Who do you I.N.T.R.O.D.U.C.E to Jesus in your life?" (June 10, 08, 10:50 a.m.)

CHAPTER 7:

Mark 7:1-8: "How do you view H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y in your life?" (June 11, 08, 6:11 a.m.)

Mark 7:1-8: "How does the Lord view your W.O.R.S.H.I.P in life?" (June 12, 08, 9:24 a.m.)

Mark 7:1-8: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow in life?" (June 13, 08, 8:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:9-13: "How do you honor your P.A.R.E.N.T.S in life?" (June 14, 08, 9:16 a.m.)

Philippians 4:20-23: "What have you done for your F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" (June 15, 08, 5:40 p.m.)

Mark 7:14-19: "How do you C.L.E.A.N your life?" (June 17, 08, 9:26 p.m.)

Mark 7:20-23: "When are you getting a H.E.A.R.T transplant?" (June 18, 08, 7:36 a.m.)

Mark 7:24: "Why not take the C.R.E.D.I.T offered to you in life?" (June 19, 08, 10:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:25-26: "How often do you ask Jesus to S.A.V.E your loved ones in life?" (June 20, 08, 9:45 a.m.)

Mark 7:27-30: "What A.D.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y are you facing in life?" (June 21, 08, 10:38 a.m.)

Mark 7:31-32:"Who do you B.R.I.N.G to Jesus?" (June 23, 08, 9:50 a.m.)

Mark 7:33-34: "Where do you want the Lord to W.O.R.K in your life?" (June 24, 08, 10:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:35-36: "What do you need W.E.L.L done in your life?" (June 25, 08, 10:10 a.m.)

CHAPTER 8

Mark 8:1a:"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R in life?" (June 26, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3:"Who needs your C.O.M.P.A.S.S.I.O.N this week?" (June 27, 08, 10:16 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3: "What place do you give a R.E.T.R.E.A.T in your life?" (June 30, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3: "What do you E.A.T in life?" (July 01, 08, 10:27 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3: "What are you H.U.N.G.R.Y for in life?" (July 02, 08, 10:15 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3: "What D.I.S.T.A.N.C.E will you go to meet Jesus?" (July 03, 08, 10:06 a.m.)

Mark 8:4: "What do you F.O.R.G.E.T in life?" (July 07, 08, 11:04 a.m.)

Mark 8:4-7: "How do you handle P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S in your life?" (July 08, 08, 10:14 a.m.)

Mark 8:8a: "What are you T.H.A.N.K.F.U.L for in your life?" (July 09, 08, 10:05 a.m.)

Mark 8:8b: "What has being G.E.N.E.R.O.U.S done to you?" (July 12, 08, 9:05 a.m.)

Mark 8:9-10: "Where has the Lord placed you to C.A.R.E in life?" (July 15, 08, 11:29 a.m.)

Mark 8:9-10: "Who do you let M.O.L.D your life?" (July 16, 08, 11:19 a.m.)

Mark 8:11-13: "Who have you T.E.S.T.E.D in life?" (July 21, 08, 11:04 a.m.)

Mark 8:11-13: "What does J.E.S.U.S mean to you?" (July 22, 08, 10:59 a.m.)

Mark 8:14-15: "Who do you W.A.S.T.E your time with?" (July 23, 08, 9:49 a.m.).

Reproduction or reuse for profit prohibited without written consent from Pittsburgh Standard

Video: Delta Zeta Deliciously Delivers Lusciously with Lambda Chi Alpha

Video: Chi Omega's Operation Offers Nothin' But a Gangsta Party at Kappa Alpha Psi's Place

By Ramesh C.ReddyPittsburgh StandardJuly 24, 2008

Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet Explorer.

Express Your View

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

July 24, 2008