Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Right now, I'm going to skip around, and pull some really cool verses that I like, and say what I think they mean. Feel free to comment, or debate their meanings.
Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

I believe that this is a good support for Education, as well as a hint for how to become wise. If you are disciplined, you will learn much, as opposed to leaping from one topic to another anytime you get a little antsy. It also warns against being so egotistical that you cannot accept correction. You do not know everything, how can you? There are others who know more in certain areas than you, be open to them, and their ideas, for there is always much to be learned.
Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life.

This is simply a comment on vanity. If you have lived long enough, you have been doing something right, and you have much wisdom. It is this wisdom that makes your crown special. Do not be worried about it, for it is a something that you should wear proudly, elegantly.
Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish.

This is a warning to those who preach their word, not The Word, for the sole purpose of self advancement. There are scam artists out there who have few morals, and know that the Christian Church is a huge, largly unmoderated operation. They feel that nothing is wrong with milking poor misguided flock members by spouting cliches and collecting every week. Beware that you do not follow these people, and be even more careful that you do not do this, even on accident. Do not do anything for Christ because you want any sort of personal gains. It will affect what you get out of it, and more importantly, affect what others get out of it. Do not drag others down in your sin.

Monday, June 28, 2004

I have been reading more of the aforementioned book, and have found little in it that is worthy of a decent post. While there are some good theories, they are either common sense, or not practical. I will move back to the Bible soon, I promise.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Now that I am done Mark, I have to pick another book/topic to do. A couple days ago, I got a package in the mail from my best friend. Opening it up, I saw that it was a book that we had discussed a while ago, Boy Meets Girl, by Joshua Harris. Buy it, or read a review if you are interested. So far, it's an awesome book, and I recommend it.

The book is written in the first person, from Mr Harris' point of view. In the beginning of the book, he talks about how he stopped dating because he saw that his pointless short term girlfriends were distracting him from his walk with God. Then he met Shannon. The book is written as a guideline for Christian Dating. I may not agree with all of the points, but I believe that there is significance in what he is doing.
Okay, onto the book:
Dating vs Courtship - That's not the point.
People focus too much on what they are doing, than how they are doing it. This is also a problem with the Pharisees. It is much more important that you do whatever you do in a Godly manner. If you follow Jesus' teachings, and apply them to your relationship, you can truly have a Godly relationship.
You also need to focus on the other person. Is this good for them? If we only think of ourselves, we may put others at risk for hurt later on. I know I have been guilty of this more than once. Even if it sacrifices your momentary happiness, it is better in the long run, because you will still have a friend, and one without black marks from you on their heart.
Also, it's okay to ask your friends what they think. Sure, this seems corny, but how many times have you heard of people ignoring their friends' advice on a boy/girl, and it ends up that the friends were right?
Big point here, take notes: NO SEX UNTIL MARRIAGE
Sex is a sacred bond between one man and one woman. It truly is the connection of two souls. It just isn't right, or fair, to take that prematurely. Why take the special part out of marriage?
It's also a good idea to walk together in God. If you gain nothing else, you will be able to strengthen your personal relationship with God, by having it challenged, or debated, with someone else. We are each given different 'tools' to do our work in the Lord with, but it never hurts to see how others are doing their work. Who knows? You may learn something totally new about yourself, even if you aren't a young 'un anymore.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Verse: Mark 16:1-20

We now see Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, and Salome visit the tomb of Jesus. When they get there, they see the great stone rolled back, and a young man, dressed all in white. I assume that this man is an Angel, and he was sent to carry the message of Jesus' ressurection to the women.
This is the final proof that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. He died to give you life, the life He now has, and took with Him from the grave.
Jesus is the reason to live. He showed us how to live our lives thru and for God. He is the perfect example of who we need to be. Love others like He loves you, and you have a great start.

Verse: Mark 15:1-47

We see Jesus before Pilate. Pilate gives Jesus a chance to counter the arguments made by the leaders of the church, but He knows that it will have no effect. Pilate is not directly at fault for Jesus' death. He did not save Jesus, nor did he condemn Him. He saw that his words would fall on deaf ears, and allowed it to happen. Even after he asks the crowd to free Jesus, his neutral thinking has no affect.
The death of Jesus was not quick nor painless. He suffered pain that is unimaginable to us, for us. Sometimes we forget that he suffered for us. We act selfishly, forgetting about God. We forget that we are guaranteed Eternal Life, through him. As stewards of the Lord, we must work in Him. We need to spread the Word of God in all that we do, so that we may plant the mustard seed within others. Even if we never see the final product of our work, we can be satiated in knowing that we did our best, and that the Lord will guide them to their final destination.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Verse: Mark 14:1-72

Got Nard?

This was the theme of a camp I attended last summer. Translated into our lives, it means "What would you give to Jesus?", i.e. what skills do you have that you can put to good use in a ministry setting?
Nard is a very expensive perfume. It was all that the woman bathing Jesus had to give, and she gave it unselfishly to Him. While the disciples argued that it was a waste, and she should have just handed to them, so that they might sell it, Jesus tells them the meaning of what she did.
I pray every night that I may find my means of ministy, that I may find the way in which I best serve the Lord. It is important that you recognize what your specialities are, so that you do not waste your effort. I, for instance, am not good with children. That doesn't mean I avoid them, it means that I don't sign up to teach children's classes. I prefer to serve through labor: Washing Cars, building/reparing homes, etc. Everything that you do for the Lord will be remembered forever, by Jesus, and you never know when you may be planting your mustard seed.

The next passage describes the Lord's supper, in which Jesus states that he will be betrayed; "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me--one who is eating with me." The disciples cannot fathom that one of them will betray Jesus. They love Him! But Jesus knows that it must happen, and accepts His fate.

Jesus also tells the disciples that they will scatter, and abandon Him when His time comes. This is when Peter is told that he will deny Jesus three times before the cock crows.

Jesus then asks God to spare him the suffering of His fate. Here, Jesus shows the mortality of Man. He is scared of the pain that comes, but accepts what has been dealt Him. Then Jesus is arrested. He wonders aloud about their weapons, as He is not a physical danger, but a political one. This shows how misunderstood Jesus is by the people of His time.
Then He is abandoned by everyone, even the poor young man, who owns only the garment he leaves behind.

Jesus is then brought before the Leaders of the Church, who try to pin a charge on Him, taking his comments about tearing down the temple out of context. Indeed, it is they who tear down their temple, when they condemn Jesus for blasphemy.

Indeed, Peter does disown Jesus three times before the cock crows. It is at this point that Peter realizes how awesome Jesus' powers were (and still are). This may have been the mustard seed that was planted in Peter, out of which grew the largest religion ever.

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Verse: Mark 13:1-37

When one of the disciples show Jesus the enormity of the buildings and stones around them, Jesus replies with "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.", reminding them that everything that has to do with Man is temporary, God is Forever. Jesus goes on to warn them that the world will, in time, seem to go mad. "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
You must be on your guard.
"
Jesus tells them all of this so that they (and their future counterparts) are prepared. They know what to believe and not to believe.
It is important that we prepare ourselves similarly, and know what is false.
Jesus then warns us to be watchful, to always be prepared for the coming of the Lord. When He comes, we must be prepared, both in Mind, and in Soul. If we are prepared, then leaving Earth will not be difficult for us.

Friday, June 18, 2004

Verse: Mark 12:1-44

Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Jesus uses this parable to warn the religious leaders. He says that His father has allowed them to use His 'land' to harvest, but when it came time to collect, or get His part from the leaders, they have insulted him with their antics. Jesus is the farmer's son in the parable, and He again predicts His own death, because the leaders think that they can have their power back if He is dead. But notice how the farmer punishes those who kill His son, and gives the farm over to new tenants. The leaders see that they are threatened, but they fail to believe that they will be punished. They are told what will befall them, and ignore the consequences anyway.
Be sure to think through your everyday actions. If you are taking a new path, listen to the advice and warnings given you. Many times, it requires an outside eye to fully see all possible returns on your actions.

Jesus then defies a trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. They ask if they should pay taxes to Caesar, which would show that he supported Rome, which was not held in high favor. A 'no' would have meant that He was a traitor. Jesus knows the trap, and says "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." This shocks the questioners. Give that which has the image of your nation to your nation, but give your life, which is emblazoned with the image of God, to God. To fail to do this would be as traitorous as failing to pay your taxes.

Jesus now shows how the Sadducees think of things in the wrong perspective. After you read the passage, note how they ask about wives and husbands on Earth, and what they will become in the afterlife. Jesus tells them that they do not have the perspective of God, which they cannot have, as they are but men. In Heaven, we are not 'married.' We are all brothers and sisters, joined in praising God. It is a joyous place, where there is no hurt.

Then Jesus is approached by a man asking which commandment is the greatest. Jesus replies with "The most important one, is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." The man, who is apparently well versed in the Word, goes on to say that all of the burnt sacrifices and offerings mean nothing in comparison to the love that we should show God. Jesus approves of his answer, and tells the man that he is not far from the Kingdom of God. How great a praise! To be told by the Lord God that we are worthy, or nearly worthy of being with Him forever!

The next passage is a Jesus asking a question that the leaders cannot answer. He does this to show that he has the power of God. He is not showing off, but gaining respect from those who listen. His words are the Mustard Seed, planted in souls, waiting to grow.

As Jesus sits near the offering area, he sees the rich give generously, but not 'til it hurts'. Then he sees a woman give less than one penny. While the Church will not benefit much from this, the woman will. We must remember that our faith is not all about Sunday morning Church, but our daily relationship with the Lord. It is the things we do, pray about, every day that make our relationship worthwhile. Without a personal relationship, where we give all that we can to Jesus, our faith is worthless.

Monday, June 14, 2004

Verse: Mark 11:1-33

Here we see Jesus fulfill Zechariah's prophesy. He comes into Jerusalem as a peaceable king, not as a warring conquerer. This crowd welcomes Jesus into their city, but later chant "Crucify Him".
The we see Jesus clear the temple again, saying "Is it not written:
'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'
"
This angers the cheif priests of the temple, who no doubt profited from the sales going on in their temple. But because of His popularity, they needed to find a way to kill Jesus without angering the crowd. Little did they know, His death would lead to a new religion, one that was not based on the 'laws' that the Pharisees loved to follow.
Jesus now displays the awesome power of Jesus. His words "...I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." show us that as long as we believe in our prayers, and do not doubt that we will recieve what we ask for, we shall receive it. Prayer is an awesome thing, something that we do probably do not use enough in everyday life.
Jesus points out the lack of faith in John the Baptists work. The Leaders ask who gave Jesus authority to do His works. Jesus retorts with "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!" The leaders do not know, and are scared of either answer. Jesus replies by saying that He will not tell them who he works for. Jesus says this because they would not believe Him, but instead use His words against Him, calling Him a traitor. Jesus was not a traitor, but they were not interested in the truth, only saving their positions of power.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Verse: Mark 10:1-52

Jesus has this to say about divorce: "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
He first asks what Moses taught them. When they reply that he allowed divorce, Jesus explains that Moses allowed this because their hearts were hard, or not in the right place. Jesus leaves no room for questions in his response.
I fully support the idea of no divorce, because once you pledge your undying love to someone, is it fair that you say "just kidding?" No. It isn't fair. In today's world, the pledge of your undying love is not taken seriously, and thus, we have a lot of divorce. Don't be afraid to wait to get married if that's what it takes to make sure that they are the one for you. If you truly love them, then things will work out. Be sure to pray a lot about it, and more importantly, listen to the responses from God, and of those around you.
Faith Like a Child
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Jesus asks that we have faith like a child. This does not mean to blindly accept what you are told to accept. It means that you accept the loving touch of God without being wary of your social standing, or your fortune. If you put your life in the hands of God, you must know that He is all you need. He will provide for you, both during and after this life.
Jesus now tells us how hard it is for the rich to get into Heaven. When asked by a rich man how to get into Heaven, Jesus asks if he has followed the commandments, which he has. Jesus then asks him to sell all that he owns. Since the man had many material goods, he paused, pained at the thought of having to give it all up. Jesus does not ask us to rid ourselves of all that is worldly, but He asks that you be ready to give everything you have, at any time for His cause.
Again, Jesus performs a miracle on one who has faith in him. These constant reminders help us to remember that when we believe, God can do many things for us, but if we have doubts, our lives are no longer his.

Saturday, June 12, 2004

This post is not a 'Bible' Study, but more of a 'Faith' Study.
A friend wrote me the other day, and explained what she had learned at the camp she was counseling at. Ron Luce, from 'Acquire the Fire' came and spoke to the camp about growing in their faith, and I'd like to relay what she told me.
According to Mr Luce, there are three types of people in Christianity. They are the Quitter, the Camper and the Climber. Forgive the poor art, but here is an illustration of God's Mountain:


  • The quitter feels like church is a chore. They do not fully understand why their parents drag them along every Sunday. We all know one of these people. Indeed, I was one not more than two years ago today. They have been exposed to Christ their entire lives, but perhaps they never truly asked God to be a part of their life. They go through the empty motions. This type of person is very ripe for truly getting to know God better. Keep them in your prayers, and don't give up. Remember, they have gone this long without understanding, it won't be an easy transition for them.

  • The next group of people is the Campers. They have asked God into their lives, and most likely grew rapidly at some point, but either tired of that, or their influence let go too quickly. They know God, but are content with staying where they are in Him. They do not wish to grow more. As it was put by my friend "They have experienced some of God, but are happy where they are." These people are considered Casual Christians, and most Christians fall into this catagory at least once in their lifetime. Indeed, I was at this stage until very recently. This is the person that has to be begged to sit down and study the Bible. They find no satisfaction in learning about the Lord, because they have no want to learn more. Many times, these people were once dependent on another person to help them grow, and hold their hand, but that person may have moved on and left them without a good influence. They soon forget that they are supposed to be climbing, and become stagnant. They are content with a 'decent' relationship with God. This description hits very close to home for me. I was dependent on another for my inspiration to study the Bible. I have since learned to enjoy it whether or not someone else is there to learn with me, or walk me through it. It is difficult to move past this stage, but once you do, it is incredible how much you learn if you backtrack your steps.

  • The last type of person is the Climber. This person strives to know as much of God's word as they can. They want to see everything. They want to reach the top of God's Mountain. The Climber is the catagory that God wants us all to fit into. We should be constantly learning new things about Christ and His Word. Truly, there is no way to reach the top of the Mountain during our own lifetime, but the higher we climb, the more we see, and the more people below we can help. It is important to remember, though, that it is not a race. You cannot sprint to the top of God's Mountain. You will do nothing more than churn up dust and wear yourself out.


Please be sure to assess your own position from time to time. It is easy to forget that involvement is not necessarily commitment in Christ, and become stagnant even though you go to Church regularly.

Verse: Mark 9:1-50

I have neglected this part of my life for a few days, and I apologize.
Today, we see Jesus transfigured on the mountain. His clothes become blindingly white: "...whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them..." Then Elijah and Moses appear, and begin talking to Jesus. To add to the scene, the voice of God comes from a cloud that envelops them. It says "'This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!'"
I believe that Jesus brought Peter, James and John with Him to witness this because He knew that it would strengthen their faith. I think this was the best way to stop their doubts about Jesus.
Then Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about what they have seen until they see the Son of Man rising from the dead. They do not understand what he means by 'rising from the dead.' After this they ask Him "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus responds with "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." This question probably stems from Jesus' prophesy of His own death.
The disciples do not understand why Jesus has to suffer. Their worldly views disrupt their ability to understand the grand scheme of things, and they question or doubt the necessity of anything that doesn't make sense to them, as we all do. We need to learn to accept God's plan, and what happens to us. We are not always in control, which is a good thing. If we look back on certain times in our life, we see that it is definately a good thing that we did not have control. We learn many things about ourselves, our faith and others and their faith during times of trial. Without that, where would you be today? I guarantee you would not be as wise without trials.
Next, we see Jesus drive a demon out of a young boy. There are two important points made in this passage, and I will do my best to keep them separate as I discuss them, as to keep the meanings clear.


  • The first point is that Jesus' disciples could not drive out the spirit. This is pointed out at the beginning of the story, but the reason is given at the end: "This kind can come out only by prayer." They relied solely on their own inner strenght to drive out the demon, but he was stronger than they were. If they had called upon God to assist them, the demon would have been no problem. This is an issue in our lives today; we do not understand when to pray. We pray for silly things, like help with a girl, or tests. But when it comes to matters concerning our faith, we rarely ask for God's guidance. We do this because it is difficult to overcome our ego and admit that we do not know what is best for ourselves. It is easy to ask for an 'A' or to ask for attention from someone, but when we have issues that affect our faith, such as dating, it is difficult to ask for directions, and even harder to follow sometimes. If we are head over heels for someone, it would be difficult for us to listen to God if he tells us that they aren't the right person for us right now. It is very easy for the heart of man to overrule the brain of man. But we must let the Heart of God lead us in every aspect of our lives.

  • The other point has to do with believing fully in the Lord. The man asks Jesus "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus replies with "Everything is possible for him who believes. This is so true. We may not recognize it, but sometimes we ask God to 'do what you can.' God can do anything. For example, if we are asking about dating, we should not ask 'Do what you can to make this work' because it may not be best for that relationship to work. Rather, ask 'Lord, do what is necessary for me to grow in You." Have faith in Him, and follow His directions, and life will turn out great in the end.

Again we see Jesus predict His own death, and the Disciples are confused. Remember, it may not make sense to you now, but things will come together later. Have patience in the Lord, as His patience is unlimited, and we must do our best to live like Him.
Next we hear Jesus ask the disciples about their arguement. They had been arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus says "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." and follows that with "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
In this, he is saying that he who puts himself last and does everything in the name of the Lord for those other than himself will reap the most rewards in Heaven. Sacrificing our time for God is the least we can do. Remember, Jesus paid the ultimate price: He lost his life for us, so that we may live forever in Heaven.
Next, the disciples tell Jesus that they saw a man casting out demon's in Jesus' name, and told him to stop. Jesus says "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. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
This is very important. We must not criticize others' work in Christ, because they are making headway in their own department. We may not agree with everything they say, but as long as they are following the teachings of Jesus, they can do no harm.
The last part of this chapter is about temptation. Jesus says "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out." It is very important that we disengage ourselves from that which makes us sin. If we constantly spend time in tempting situations, it is dangerous for our faith, and those we teach. If a student spends a lot of time at parties, there is a chance that he will fall into temptation, whether it be drinking, drugs or girls. Temptation surrounds us in almost everything that we do, but we need not fear: We shall never be tempted more than we can bear. (1 Cor 10:13)
As a final warning, Jesus says to "...be at peace with each other." We must make sure that we do not inhibit the work of other Christians by disagreeing with them or accusing them of misleading their followers. As long as we are all headed the right way, we will all be okay.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Verse: Mark 8:1-38

Again, we see Jesus feeding the masses with only seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

When the Phaisees ask Jesus for a 'sign in the sky', he replies with "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." He knows that this will not help their faith, and refuses. They ask solely for personal curiosity.
After this, Jesus warns the disciples: "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." The disciples take this as a warning of the bread that they hold. But Jesus means that the yeast that may be planted by the taunts of the Pharisees, and it may rise within them, harming their faith. We too must beware of nay-sayers. If we have doubts about our faith, how can we help others? We must continue to enforce our faith, and grow so that we may help others. Do not be afraid to question your faith. Blind faith benefits no one.
Jesus heals a blind man, but does so in steps. Was it too difficult for him? No. He showed that sometimes, healing (or believing) should be a gradual process. It is important that we remember this, especially when witnessing. We may not ever see the person accept the Lord as their Savior, but every mustard seed we plant goes a long way.
Jesus predicts his death soon after he warns disciples not to tell anyone who he is. He knows that claiming to be the Messiah will certainly cause his death. Peter starts to rebuke him Jesus says "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." This is a very important point. We, as humans, do not possess the ability to know what we truly need. We cannot see the greater good that will come from our trials. God can, and He knows what we need to learn to become spiritual leaders. Through the trials that He prescibes for us, He molds us into what we are meant to be.

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Verse: Mark 7:1-36

Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees about his 'cleanliness.' He presents two strong points, hypocracy and uncleanliness from within. First, he points out that the Pharisees have adopted the laws of man, and let the teachings of God take a second seat. They have chosen to pay more attention to how to worship God than they have on the worship, or the teachings that they might receive from Him.
Next, Jesus tells us where uncleanliness comes from. It is not from without, for the things that one receives there are all things from God. Rather, it is the things that come from within a man's heart, such as "...evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." These are the things that harm our souls. If we let these things remain in us, we become sick, and can no longer serve the Lord properly.
Next we see the woman begging Jesus to save her daughter from a demon. Jesus says to her "First let the children eat all they want, ... for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." The meaning of this is the subject of much debate, but I beleive that Jesus is testing her. He is saying that saving one person from a demon may distract Him from His teachings. When the woman responds with "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.", meaning even the distractions can serve as teachings, perhaps on a smaller scale, but teachings nonetheless, Jesus is impressed, and heals her daughter.
I pray that I may learn a little every day, even from the smallest of things, so that I may grow in the Lord, and know my way in Him.

Monday, June 07, 2004

Verse: Mark 6:1-56

Jesus now returns to his hometown of Nazareth. They knew him as Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, a carpenter. He is no longer that man, but Jesus, Son of God. The townspeople cannot believe that this is possible, and are offended. Jesus then says "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He was 'amazed at their lack of faith.' He chose not to do miracles, because the people did not believe that he was the Son of God, and therefore, the miracles would not help his cause.
This is a good example of when to follow Matthew 10:14.
In Verse 6:7, Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs. He could have reached more of the country if he had sent them out alone, but Jesus recognized the importance of encouragement. He made sure that if they fell on hard times, they would not be alone. This is important today as well. Even if we are steadfast in the Lord, we are not invincible. We need to have at least one other person to lean on, and get strength from in times of need. It seems easy to help ourselves, but most times, an outsider's view can do worlds of help. Do not be afraid to lean on a fellow Christian in a time of need. And as a Christian, do not be afraid to be that shoulder to cry on. Tying in to the Mustard Seed Parable, we never know how much one small, easy action can help someone out.
Next we hear of the beheading of John the Baptist. I believe this was done to try to scare Jesus out of the area.
Next we see Jesus feed the 5000. After teaching for a day, the disciples tell Jesus that the people are hungry. From five loaves of bread and two fish, there was enough to feed all 5000 men, plus their wives and children, and still have 12 basketfuls of leftovers.
If we believe in Jesus, and abide by his teachings, we too will be rewarded with all we can spiritually 'eat'. The Lord can do many things, and all he asks is that we love him, as well as one another.
Next we see Jesus walk on water. Even still, the disciples do not believe that He is the Son of God, and it takes one final act to prove that He is their Savior.
The last paragraph of this chapter shows Jesus healing all who touch him. Here, the people knew His power and trusted in Him to heal them. Like the woman, they are rewarded. Just like we are, when we choose to put our trust explicitly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse: Mark 5:1-43

When Jesus and the disciples reach the other side of the lake, they meet a man who has been possessed by demons. The demons beg Jesus not to torture them, or send them out of the area. Instead, they ask to be allowed to possess a herd of pigs. Immediately after they are possessed, the pigs rush down the bank and drown in the water. The people of the area beg Jesus to leave.
Perhaps they did not understand Jesus' greatness. Perhaps they only knew he had supernatural powers, and were afraid for their pigs. No one really knows why they asked Jesus to leave.
Next, Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue ruler. This man, clearly versed in what would become the old testament, recognized Jesus for what he was, and fell to his knees to beg for assistance.
But on the way to the house, an afflicted woman touched his robes, in an attempt to heal herself. Surprisingly it worked. Jesus knew what happened and confronted the woman; "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
This is a message to everyone. If we beleive in the Lord, we will recieve othe blessings due to us. The woman had suffered for a long time, yet she still beleived in the Lord, and was rewarded for her loyalty. If we stick to our beliefs through our own trials, we will be rewarded through the Lord, as she was.
Next, we see Jesus raise a 12 year old girl from the dead. Here, he is proving his power to the people, and more importantly, his followers.

Sunday, June 06, 2004

Verse: Mark 4:1-41

Here we see Jesus tell the parable of the four soils.
Here is the list of the soils, and what I beleive to be the meaning behind each.


  • Path - This is a warning about placing yourself in a vulnerable (or very public) position. If you are too exposed, the "birds" will come peck you to pieces. Be aware of where you are. If you are not accepted, follow the advice given in Matthew 10:14
  • Rocky - Here, we are warned against attempting to seed where there is no fertile soil. Some environments will not produce results no matter how hard you try. It can be heartbreaking, but nonetheless, we must move on.
  • Thorns - In this, we are warned against getting ourselves in too deep in a place that is dangerous. If we get in somewhere where we are not wanted, or where we don't belong, we can become tangled and choked by 'thorns' of sin.
  • Good Soil - This is the place where your sowing will be most rewarded. This is where the seeds "...came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." This is where we want to plant our seeds, for each seed will produce a plant, which in turn creates more seeds.

The moral of the farmer parable is this: Be aware of the surroundings in which you try to sow your seeds. If you choose the wrong location, you will not be rewarded with a good harvest.

Jesus' explanation of the four soils is fairly self-explanitary, so I will skip it.

The growing seed parable is confusing for some, and I will give it my best shot. When you plant a seed, you do only that, plant a seed. It is now up to God to show that person what they need to become true believing Christians. You can nurture them, and encourage them (watering the seed) but in the end, it is up to that person. When that person is 'ripe for harvest' the Lord takes them and puts them to work planting seeds of their own.

The mustard seed parable is short, but like the mustard seed itself, there is a large importance within. Anything we do, anything, to introduce Jesus into someone's life can spark the beginning of a beautiful and meaningful life. No matter how small that action is, you never know when someone is searching in their life, and if they see even a glimmer of hope in Jesus through you, they may become saved. You may never know how many people you help through your daily actions.

Finally, Jesus calms the storm. This can also represend your life. When things become stormy, full of whirlwinds of temptation, waves of Sin threatening to capsize you, call on Jesus. But more importantly, look within yourself for the strength. Jesus asks "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" This goes along with 1 Corinthians 10:13. The Lord will not tempt you past what you, as a human, can withstand.
Pray for the strenght to be strong in the face of temptation, and have the strenght to continue on when times get rough.

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Random Cool Verse: Proverbs 23:13

Verse: Mark3:1-35
Jesus asks "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"
No one answers him. Yet, after healing the man's hand, the Pharisee's plot to kill him. This is just a glimpse at the life that Jesus lead. We must remember that most of the work done by his life was not completed until after he died. Notably, he died to save us. He suffered so that we may no longer suffer after this life. His mortal form was set up solely for failure, when seen through the eyes of man. Even at Jesus' death, the only person who understood it was Jesus himself. The disciples, who were to carry on the work of Jesus, did not fully understand why things happened. As men, we cannot see the reasoning behind what happens to us, but we must carry the beleif that there is something greater for us in store.
Personally, I am stagnant right now. I have no purpose in my life. It is strange for me, because before this, I was focused and had goals. Well, the closer I got to those goals, the more I saw they weren't for me. I don't understand what God was telling me by having me going the wrong direction, but I do know that there was a point, and the experience will help me out later in life.
In verse 13, Jesus names his disciples. Nothing fancy, just an attendence check.
In the next section, Jesus gives a very good speech about unity and strength within a group. Even though he is talking about demons, we can see the paralells to any group. "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." He is charging future Christians to not divide and fight amonst themselves, for what good would that bring to the Church? None. We must be strong. If we have differences, we must attend to them before they break us apart.
Later in this passage, we see Jesus name the one unforgivable sin: "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." There is one sin that will never be forgiven: Blaspheming against the Lord God. This includes attributing His works to others, or otherwise discounting His works in such a manner that you cannot beleive in Jesus, or God. Every other sin is forgiven, but if you commit that one sin, then you are not truly a Christian, and you will not see heaven.
Jesus confuses most people in the next verse, by saying "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Here He seemingly puts less stock in them. In truth, He is saying that He loves all of God's followers, without partiality. This is something we must learn to do. The Lord wants us to love everyone, and not judge them, for that is not our job. We are to love them as our own brothers and sisters. It is a difficult charge, to be sure, but by following Jesus, we can learn to not judge, and bathe everyone in Jesus' love. Without knowing His love, how can they know Him?
Don't be afraid to take that first step, and love someone. You never know how important that love can seem to someone.

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Verse: Mark 2:1

In this passage we see the healing of the paralyzed man. This is, of course, one of the miracles that we see Jesus perform, and it is one of the more controversial (at His time) that we see as well. He tells the paralyzed man "Son, your sins are forgiven." This teachers of the law thought Jesus was blaspheming the Lord, by forgiving the man's sins. In this, he was claiming devine perogatives, but he was not blaspheming, because it was the truth. He was the Son of God. Also he was the Son of Man. In this he knows the pain of being human, and can help us to fight temptation.

Next, Jesus calls Levi to follow him. Levi is a tax collector, a sinner. He chooses to lose this lifestyle and follow Jesus. This is also symbolic of how easy it is to follow God. Later Jesus is eating at the house of Levi, and is with many other sinners as well. The Pharisees call him on this, and he replies with "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." This also applies to modern life. It is all well and good to discuss Christ with fellow Christians, but do not forget those who don't know Him. There are plenty of people in the world today who are searching for meaning in their life. If you allow God to work through you, you will see awesome changes in their lives, as well as your own.
Then Jesus' desciples are questioned about their lack of fasting. Jesus replies with "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them." Jesus is saying here that He is God, and that is why his disciples do not fast.
Next, Jesus' desciples are picking grain on the Sabbath. They are called out by the Pharisees on this, and Jesus answers for them "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." and "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
In saying this, Jesus points out that God gains nothing through man's observation of the Sabbath, but man benefits from the restoration, both physically and spiritually, that he is given each week.
Being Christian is not just about Sundays. It is about living the lifestyle that God wants. Use Sundays as a day to recharge and plan for the next week. If we exhaust ourselves spriritually, by spreading God's word, we must take Sundays off to recharge. If we are not exhausted, we must ask ourselves if we are trying hard enough. Pray for yourself, and for those who you know need the Lord in your life. Pray that you can wear yourself out on those people, to make them, and yourself, stronger in God.

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Verse: Mark 1:1-1:45

I am going to start today in Mark. Mark's writings tend to center around Jesus' role as a servant, and we can translate this to how we should act as servants ourselves. Jesus' sacrificed his life for us, the least we can do is donate some of our time and/or effort to God.
I myself am not a people person, I serve through labor, such as repairing homes, washing cars (for the Youth Group) and the like. You should learn what type of giver you are, and act accordingly.
Okay, on to the reading:
The first part describes John the Baptist and his work. He prophesied the coming of Jesus, describing him in glowing terms. Then comes the story of Jesus being baptized by John, and the approval of God, by means of a heavenly voice.
Mark doesn't go into detail about the tempting of Jesus by Satan, but that can be read here, and it will be covered eventually in this study.
Then we get to Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (Mark 1:16).
Jesus recruits four fishermen (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) to follow him, and they dropped their nets to follow him immediately. This is what Jesus asks of all mankind. To drop their nets, or whatever it is you do every day. What you do every day is that which makes you comfortable. If you never leave your comfort zone, you can never live, nor can God live through you. You must leave your little bubble in order to follow that which you truly beleive in. You can't do it from inside a shell. Part of being Christian is discussing your beliefs with others, whether to confirm your beliefs, learn more about other's beliefs, or to bring a new follower to Christ.
Then Jesus impresses the people with authoritive teachings, and drives out a demon. In doing this, gossip of Jesus' power and authority spread throughout the area.
In verse 1:38, Jesus makes a very interesting statement, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." Instead of staying, and fortifying his image, he decides to move on and begin again in a new town. In this action we can see Jesus making a decision to preach to as many people as possible, hoping that he says enough to plant the seeds of his preachings, rather than staying and making sure a few people fully understand what he wants to say. Perhaps he doesn't want to be known as the Son of God at this point, an arguement that is supported by these verses: 1:34 and 1:43-45. Now, instead of preaching to whatever masses were in town, he could only preach to those who came to see him. This was a setback in a way; the people who needed him most (those without interest in religion) did not care enough to go see him, and thus would not get the Word.



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