Divine Mentor-Taking a Risk- by: Debbie McGrath

Today's reading: 
Job 26, 27, Mark 15, 16

The passage that God used to speak to me this morning was Mark 15:43

S:  Joseph of Arimathea a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God came and boldly went into Pilate and asked for Jesus body.

Observation: When Jesus died, some were still mocking him. Others were weeping. The disciples fled in fear.  The women were around but fearful. Some became new believers when they witnessed the death of Christ.   Joseph of Arimathea was there and knew that the Jesus body could not hang overnight and it was time to bury his body.

 Taking a huge risk,  Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body.  By doing this, he was risking his reputation, his position and possibly his life.  To play it safe, he could of walked away but he didn't.  

By stepping up to bury Jesus, he was admitting the Jesus was Lord of his life.  

Joseph was single minded, submissive and obedient to God's will.
 He stepped out of his comfort zone and did the extraordinary. 
He put Christ first in his life and took a risk.  
He sacrificed a very expensive tomb.  

Application:  No matter what comes my way this week - I want to be like Joseph of Arimathea:
Single minded
submissive
servant attitude
sacrificial

Prayer:  Lord transform my thoughts, my desires, my relationships, and the very purpose for which I live.  Lord reproduce the mind of Christ in me!

Divine Mentor - Obedience like Ezekiel - by: Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading:  Ezekiel 22-24, Revelation 9

When I was reading these chapters in Ezekiel it so reminded me of the world we live in today. Ezekiel is a prophet and thru out this book Ezekiel says: The Lord says to me:. Ezekiel was obedient and would tell the people exactly what God shared with him. The news Ezekiel shared was horrible news - he basically told the people they would be destroyed because of their actions. He could of been killed by the Israelites with the news he was sharing.  

Ezekiel's obeyed God wholeheartedly.  I should be obedient wholeheartedly to God.  When God ask me to share or reach out to someone - why do I hesitate.
I have good news to share!  When God puts a person on my mind to call or send an encouraging note to - I should make this a priority in my life.  

God has called me to be obedient even when I don't feel like it.  
God I pray, that I am willing to serve you completely as Ezekiel did!!!