Jason Bedell Online

Just sharing some thoughts from my daily reading...

I don't understand the disciples. They watched Jesus die, mourned his death, and then wondered what to do. They had heard the murmurs of Jesus being seen, but they themselves had seen nothing as of yet. Now Jesus is in front of them, and they can't believe it.

He shows them his hands & feet, says things about prophesy and scripture being fulfilled, and they just can't comprehend it. It's always interesting to me how these guys miss stuff. But it reminds me how much I miss things when God is right in front of my face. Being in tune with his direction is huge. It was a comforting reminder that He has risen and He is our living God.

Side Note: I love that the first thing he wants from the disciples is a piece of broiled fish??? Why not a steak? Outback? You're about to head back to heaven. Eat a hearty meal Jesus. I can't imagine what that trip is like.

Sharing some thoughts from my daily Bible reading...

SLOW DOWN. On a daily basis I think the majority of us are so consumed with how to pray, what to read, how to serve, how to conduct ourselves, wake up early to set-up for church, hurry to small group because we can't miss it...

But in the process we are missing it. We're worrying about the appearance of our faith instead of just living it at the feet of the Master. In verses 38-42 of Luke 10, we see this acted out before our very eyes.

Jesus visits the house of Mary and Martha. Martha is going nuts! She's cleaning, cooking, preparing the home. She's got the dirt devil out, some mop & glow. She's ready to whip that place into shape. Then there's Mary.

When Jesus gets there- she just plops right down at His feet and begins to listen. Uh Oh! Martha has just seen the stuff hit the fan. She's livid and calls her sister out (right in front of Jesus).

I love His response " you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

In the midst of trying to "keep up the image" of being the strongest Christ-follower, maybe we need to just slow the crap down and "just follow Christ." I know it's a novel idea, but I think if Christians began to catch on to this, we really might have something.

Sharing some thoughts from my daily bible reading

Reading Luke, Chapter 1 this morning... it hits me, "Luke was the first Evening News Anchor!" Seriously. You read the opening and he lays it out for you. In case you missed it, check this out:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke here is truly giving us the lowdown-

1. He isn't taking the accounts of Jesus and his ministry lightly, "I'm gonna get to the bottom of this and do some investigative work" seems to be his main concern with this.
   
2. He has done the interviews, research, investigations, etc. and has written an "orderly account" for us. It's not the National Inquirer, it's real deal events that have taken place.
   
3. He has done this so we can "know the certainty of the things you (we) have been taught."

Sitting at Panera taking my PRD. "PRD?
What the heck did you just say? P-R-huh?!"

You may not know this but we are required as full-time staff members of Forefront to once a month take a personal "Personal Retreat Day." It's a day to take some time away from the job, chaos, family, friends, etc. and connect with God. When I came on as a staff member, I was so amped that we were told to do this, but I didn't take advantage of it... because I'm a workaholic.

Today I had to force myself to unplug (from the job). So here I sit and ask God to move in me. I have been praying for my heart and my family. I have been praying for you, your families, and that God will move in your lives. I am asking God to make me the spiritual leader He has challenged me to be. I am so humbled by every second He allows me to serve Him and sometimes it takes getting away form the norm and just listening to Him.

I need to make these days a priority. For me to be centered on God for my wife, daughter, the staff, and my Forefront family- these days have to happen. And I need to cherish them and guard them. If you are serving in a ministry area, talk to your staff leader and see how they are doing? Ask them how you can help them and ask how God is pouring into them? Ministry isn't sitting around just relaxing. It's can take a spiritual and emotional toll and it's always amazing for people to ask how you are. So ask them when you see them.

Thanks to FF for having this and thanks to Dan (our Exec. Pastor) for pushing me to make these a big deal. I totally needed this today. God is pouring into me like an open fire hose.

Jason *over and out*

Sharing my thoughts from this morning's daily Bible reading...

Got up this morning, went to hit up the reading for today, and I had to sit and really marinate on it before posting. It hit me. Like a ton of bricks. But in a good way. A great way.

I have friends that live all over the country. Many times I take for granted the friendship we have and I forget to talk to them. During good times. Bad times. Moments I am winning and times when I feel like the lowest of the low- I forget to communicate with them like I should.

James 5:13-20 was a great reminder to talk to God. Whenever I have a chance to pray to Him, talk to Him, have others involved in praying for me and vise versa. I need to be in close community with God an others. We'll be talking about that at the Beach Campus this week.

Community. What does it look like for you?

Sharing my thoughts this morning's daily Bible reading...

So I am a thinker. I sit and ponder, marinate and toss around ideas for hours. Something that I can't seem to get out of my head lately is, "the least of these." As a student ministry pastor, I loved taking kids to ATL. In Atlanta there is a ministry called, "Jesus Place." John Vernon took over the ministry that his father started and has kept it moving and growing and reaching- the homeless.

It's a homeless church.

The first time I had a conversation with John, I was asking him what he liked to do for fun and relax? He answered, "I spend time with my family, I occasionally meet up with friends. But, I hang out with homeless people for the most part." "Say what?" I responded. John quickly replied, "Yeah, they are my people."

His people?! His peeps? Homeless people are the ones he loves to be around. He thrives on it. God built Him that way. But, here's the news flash. He built all of us that way. God made us to love. To help. TO reach out. To provide when there are needs.

To move.

Not to move when we're ready, comfortable, we've lined everything up, and are now available. God says we are to befriend and love the least of these and not to honor people who are rich and clothed in fancy things because it's easy for us or might help us by knowing them. So, I would ask a simple question...

Who are your peeps????

Sharing my thoughts this morning's daily Bible reading...

Mark 15 is a chapter that pains me to read. I've preached dozens of messages on it, I've read commentaries on it, I've studied it and it hurts to relive the moments that took place. I even have a copy of "The Passion of The Christ" on DVD that took me over a year to open because it's such a painful thing to drop yourself into.

One thing in all this that really hits me is encapsulated in verses 16-20:

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

There are a lot of things I can handle, but this brings tears to my eyes.
Mocking Jesus.
Toying with my Lord.
Taking my King and dragging Him through the mud with their words and beating.
Spitting on my Savior.

I can totally understand why Peter took out his sword and cut that soldiers ear off in the garden when they came to arrest Jesus. It stirs things up in me I didn't know were there. When I read the Bible it winds me up and I can't contain it. Glad I could share this morning before I flipped out like Peter... having one less ear would cause my loved ones to have a pretty bad day.

Sharing my thoughts from this morning's daily Bible reading...

Ever had a week that you just wished would go away? Or maybe you had a week that was filled with some of the coolest events and then packed full with other things that just made it overwhelming. Well, I have had a few of those in my life, but nothing compared to this week Jesus has in Mark 14. Check it out:

• Mark 14:3-9 This woman GETS IT! And she doesn't care who is around. Jesus defends her worship and the thing that strikes me is, "Anywhere you hear the gospel, you will hear her story as well." WOW.
• Mark 14:12-26 We watch as Jesus shares an intimate moment. Little do these guys know it would be their last real chance to spend time with Jesus face to face.
• Mark 14:27-30 Can you imagine the hurt in Jesus' heart? To know your friend will deny your friendship? To call him out and to watch him lie to You?! That must have been a tense moment for them and the rest of the disciples.
• Mark 14:32-41 There they are praying, Jesus pleads with God to stop what is to come and returns an hour later to find them sleeping? Not praying for their master & friend? What a let down. Who falls asleep while they're praying? (The 2nd guy in this video)
  
• Mark 14:43-65 He's betrayed by his best friend for 30 pieces of silver, mocked before a court and sent away
• Mark 14:66-72 As all that is happening, Peter does what he said he wouldn't. 3 times denies his Lord and weeps over what he has done

Have you read the daily reading? Click here for the passage
Want to download the whole year plan? Click here for the pdf


What does it look like to give? I'm not talking crappy Christmas presents, birthday gifts or any of that nonsense- I'm talking REALLY give. To give of ourselves from a depth that is down so far inside of us that everyone around knows our heart.

And I'm not talking money. God provides. God convicts the heart. God will make sure money comes. I'm talking of our heart, love and soul- for people. I watched as this woman in Mark 12 gave her offering (I know it's a money illustration, but the principle is universal). Look at what Jesus says here about the gift she brings... about how she gives and the state of what she's bringing to God:

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

When we give everything we have- mind, heart, soul, possessions, leadership, influence, and the list goes on. God will move. You can count on it.

Haven't read the daily reading? Click here for the passage
Want to download the whole year plan? Click here to download the pdf

Don't you hate it when you forget someone's name? Growing up in the area, I see people I knew in high school all the time. Unfortunately, I am HORRIBLE with names. I always say something like, "Hey man!" or "What's up brotha?" or "How's it going dude?" But not their name. I remember what nicknames people gave them in high school, but most wouldn't be appropriate to call them. It's always an awkward moment, and I'm pretty sure they can sense it too.

Names are such a sensitive thing. It carries identity, purpose, meaning, and more. It truly tells people who we are and makes us known. Peter had a "name" moment in Mark 8. Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do people say I am?" They begin spouting off answers like, "John the Baptist, Elijah, other prophets." I'm sure Jesus at this point has a little smirk on his face and turns to Peter, "Who do you say I am?" Peter responded, "You are the Christ."

I love how simple and to the point Peter is. He gets it. He knows that the weight of Jesus name is heavy, and His purpose is great. I pray that I can hit the alarm each morning, put my feet on the floor and truly recognize who Jesus is and the importance of His life of love. I pray I can recognize Him like Peter did. I pray the same for you too.

Jason *over and out*

So just to clear up some confusion- we started the Bible reading plan when we launched the new program at Forefront. That was December 28th. The program has the days labeled for you and what passages correspond with the days of the week.

Here is the run down from the beginning to today so you can follow the progress:

Sunday, Dec 28- Psalms 1 and 2
Monday, Dec 29- Mark 1
Tuesday, Dec 30- Mark 2
Wednesday, Dec 31- Mark 3
Thursday, Jan 01- Mark 4
Friday, Jan 02- Mark 5
Saturday, Jan 03- Proverbs 1
Sunday, Jan 04- Psalms 3, 4 and 5
Monday, Jan 05- Mark 6
Tuesday, Jan 06- Mark 7
Wednesday, Jan 07- Mark 8 (POSTING LATER TODAY)
Thursday, Jan 08- Mark 9
Friday, Jan 09- Mark 10
Saturday, Jan 10- Proverbs 2

And on Sunday, you will get your program and it will have the next week's passages with the days next to them for your reading pleasure. I love how many people are doing the reading plan and I've received quite a few emails about how people are loving getting into their Bibles (some for the first time ever).

Jason *over and out*

Haven’t read the daily reading? Click here for today's passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the pdf

In middle school, I LOVED TO CUSS. You name the word and I was all over it like white on rice. Four letter words dripped from my tongue in every sentence, conversation, talking to myself- it didn't mater. While hanging out with friends, I would see how I could weave together a web of obscenities that would cause any sailor to blush. It would be safe to say my mouth was 'unclean.'

One day, we're hanging out as a family in the backyard- cookin' out. My dad's at the grill, mom's setting the fixings on the table and I'm joking around with my brother. I remember swinging this stick around and accidentally catching him right in the jaw. WHAM! His mouth is bleeding, he's crying, I begin to panic- but in the moment a wordy dird flies... "Oh SSSS-HHHHH-IIII-ZZZ-ZZZ-LLL-EEEE!" Only I didn't have the "izzle" at the end if you know what I mean.

My mother ran over and smacked me on the mouth. Twice. Once for hitting my brother and another for being 'unclean.' She asked where I heard the word, I told her I didn't know. She called me a liar and told me, "I don't need to talk like that. That's not how people talk."

In Mark 7, we see some religious leaders who try to call out the disciples for eating without washing their hands. Jesus lays out some verbal ninjary (yes, I made up a word, but it sounds awesome) and slices their thinking by responding with, "It's not anything from the outside that makes a man unclean, it's what comes out that makes a man unclean."

In the moments when life isn't all you planned,
In the quietness of your room where no one sees you,
When you leave the doors of yoru church's facitlity,
As you hang around the office with co-workers,
As you have a disagreement with your spouse,
When you talk to your kids when they've messed up,

What comes out? What do you do? Is it clean? Or is it... shizzle?

Haven’t read the daily reading? Click here for today's passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the pdf

The other night my wife and I sat down and watched "Hancock." I was definitely down with that movie. If you haven't seen it, you should definitely check it out. He is the guy from another world- He tries to help people in need, but even as he helps people, he isn't really accepted, people just want more, or they don't even recognize him.

Sounds a lot like Jesus in the reading today. He's in his home town, the religious leaders question Him asking, "What authority do you have? Aren't you that carpenter's son?" So, He moves on, but in the process does some amazing things: walks on water, feeds 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish, sends out the 12 to spread the message of love.

Jesus continually pushes forward doing what God called Him to do no matter what the reaction or who questioned Him.

His disciples get worried in a storm- Jesus calms it.
People come with needs- Jesus feeds them.
People need healing and miracles- Jesus does the miraculous.
Leaders question Him- Jesus responds in love and continues with ministry as He has been called.

So, if people push back, take advantage of you, or don't even recognize your deeds of love... just keep doing what God has called you to do. Even if you are an Unwanted Super Hero.

Haven't read the daily reading? Click here for today's passage
Want to download whole year plan? Click here to download the 2009 plan

There is a lot going on with Jesus in this first section of Mark. We see him get baptized, tempted for 40 days by the devil, gets his team together (the disciples), drives out an evil spirit, heals a ton of people, gets away to pray, then starts the cycle all over again. The thing that stands out to me while reading this is the praying portion.

Verse 35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

In the midst of chaos and life going in a million directions; Jesus took the time to pray. Now what he prayed for I have no clue, but I'm willing to bet it was for strength and peace. I know throughout life I have faced some pretty trying times (many of you at Forefront have too), and in the middle of everything happening I have to remind myself to ask God to give my family and I peace and strength so we can look to him, rely on him, and not go totally insane. When we lean on him, things become clearer. When we trust him and go to God in prayer, he rewards our faithfulness.

Until next time,

Jason *over and out*

I love the discipleship group I'm in. There are three other dudes that I look up to and respect. We meet online every Wednesday and live & in person every other Saturday. It is such a great encouragement to me. If you aren't meeting regularly with someone or a group... it's time to start sucka.

Anyway, we read a book of the bible every two weeks in depth and talk about how God is speaking to us through the book. Here's part of today's reading:

"God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 MSG

Wow. I know I believed this, but reading it this morning challenged me even more. I am not doing this for any man. My life was given to God in the early 90's (to which I messed up quite a bit) and then my vocation was given to Him in 1997. I can't look to please the masses. Period. My audience and final say is a single being. God himself.

E'nuf said.

"Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-"