I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Mark 15 documents the day of Jesus death.
Praise Jesus!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Reading Mark 14
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Jesus knows what is about to happen, and He dreads the physical death that is to come. But just in case there is anything else God can do to give grace to His people, Jesus makes a last request.
In this passage we see the humanity of Jesus, which is about to come to an end. As Jesus has previously stated, all of His power comes from God. We know from yesterday's reading that Jesus doesn't know when the end of the world will come. So Jesus is hoping beyond all hope that God has a second plan for the salvation of man that has not been revealed.
Look at the end of Jesus prayer, "But do what you want, and not what I want." Here we see that Jesus is ready to accept God's will even though it is not what Jesus wants.
Are we ready to accept what God has in store for us even though it may not be what we want?
Praise Jesus!
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, "Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." (Mark 14.35-36 CEV)Jesus prays to God asking if God can change what is to come, if it is possible.
Jesus knows what is about to happen, and He dreads the physical death that is to come. But just in case there is anything else God can do to give grace to His people, Jesus makes a last request.
In this passage we see the humanity of Jesus, which is about to come to an end. As Jesus has previously stated, all of His power comes from God. We know from yesterday's reading that Jesus doesn't know when the end of the world will come. So Jesus is hoping beyond all hope that God has a second plan for the salvation of man that has not been revealed.
Look at the end of Jesus prayer, "But do what you want, and not what I want." Here we see that Jesus is ready to accept God's will even though it is not what Jesus wants.
Are we ready to accept what God has in store for us even though it may not be what we want?
Praise Jesus!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reading Mark 13
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In Mark 13, Jesus says the temple will be destroyed. He tells about the future. It's eerie.
Before Jesus returns again, there will be wars, famines, earthquakes. Courts and governments will be against Christians.
Families will betray each other. Non-believers will hate us.
Just as the fig tree signals the nearing of summer by sprouting branches and spreading its leaves, the Church will be thriving when the end of time is near.
Not even the angels or Jesus Himself knows when the end will come. So we must always be prepared.
Praise Jesus!
In Mark 13, Jesus says the temple will be destroyed. He tells about the future. It's eerie.
Before Jesus returns again, there will be wars, famines, earthquakes. Courts and governments will be against Christians.
Families will betray each other. Non-believers will hate us.
But before the end comes, the good news must be preached to all nations...You will be given the right words when the time comes. But you will not really be the ones speaking. Your words will come from the Holy Spirit...But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved. (Mark 13.10-11,13There will be false prophets in the end. Some will claim to be the messiah. But we will know Jesus because He will come from the clouds and His angels will gather us.
Just as the fig tree signals the nearing of summer by sprouting branches and spreading its leaves, the Church will be thriving when the end of time is near.
Not even the angels or Jesus Himself knows when the end will come. So we must always be prepared.
Praise Jesus!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Reading Mark 12
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Mark 12 is Jesus confronting arguments of Jewish leaders.
He condemns those who use scriptures for ill-gotten gains.
Rhonda and I did visit Fellowship Benton again today. It was awesome. The message was inspiring. "Are you driven by the world or led by the Spirit?"
Praise Jesus!
Mark 12 is Jesus confronting arguments of Jewish leaders.
He condemns those who use scriptures for ill-gotten gains.
Rhonda and I did visit Fellowship Benton again today. It was awesome. The message was inspiring. "Are you driven by the world or led by the Spirit?"
Praise Jesus!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Reading Mark 11
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
I admit I had trouble with this one. The accounts in Mark 11 seemed out of character to me. So I discussed it with my wife, and she suggested I check out a commentary.
I used Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary at Christ Notes. It was very interesting.
We're getting close to the time when Jesus is raised on the cross. He has been warning His disciples, and they are fearful. So Jesus in Mark 11.1-11, is flamboyant in His entrance into Jerusalem. He is not afraid!
Mark 11.12-26 accounts Jesus cursing a fig tree, lambasting the people at the temple, finding the tree wilted, and then telling the disciples that anything is possible with faith in God.
Without faith, we are like that fig tree. We would wither and die.
In Mark 11.27-33, the priests are trying to find a reason to kill Jesus. He's really making their lives hard. But Jesus is too wise to fall for their tricks.
Praise Jesus!
I admit I had trouble with this one. The accounts in Mark 11 seemed out of character to me. So I discussed it with my wife, and she suggested I check out a commentary.
I used Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary at Christ Notes. It was very interesting.
We're getting close to the time when Jesus is raised on the cross. He has been warning His disciples, and they are fearful. So Jesus in Mark 11.1-11, is flamboyant in His entrance into Jerusalem. He is not afraid!
Mark 11.12-26 accounts Jesus cursing a fig tree, lambasting the people at the temple, finding the tree wilted, and then telling the disciples that anything is possible with faith in God.
Without faith, we are like that fig tree. We would wither and die.
In Mark 11.27-33, the priests are trying to find a reason to kill Jesus. He's really making their lives hard. But Jesus is too wise to fall for their tricks.
Praise Jesus!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Reading Mark 10.1-52
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Praise Jesus!
But it isn't for me to say who will sit at my right side and at my left. That is for God to decide. (Mark 10.40 CEV)Another example of Jesus giving the glory to God.
Praise Jesus!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Reading Mark 8:27-9:50
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In Mark 8.31-38, Jesus discusses His death and resurrection. He speaks about following Him and spreading the good news.
One of the most important parts of Jesus teaching is to love others.
We are to praise all Christian works. We are not to tear down others.
Only those who attack us are our enemies.
Praise Jesus!
In Mark 8.31-38, Jesus discusses His death and resurrection. He speaks about following Him and spreading the good news.
Don't be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (CEV Mark 8.38)Jesus loves us so much, but did you know that you can make Him ashamed of you. Jesus wants each of us to accept Him into our hearts. And He doesn't want to be ashamed of us when we face judgment.
Jesus said, "You people don't have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy to me." (CEV Mark 9.19)Jesus said these words after hearing a man ask Jesus to exorcise s demon from his son. Jesus wants us to know that we must not only have faith but practice faith. We do not have to be in His physical presence to keep the faith.
Jesus replied, "Why do you say `if you can'? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" (CEV Mark 9.23)Jesus is telling us that all things are possible through prayer. We must faithfully pray. Instead of being in His physical presence, we'll be in His spiritual presence.
One of the most important parts of Jesus teaching is to love others.
No one who works miracles in my name will soon turn and say something bad about me. Anyone who isn't against us is for us. And anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded. (CEV Mark 9.39-41)I'm sure we've all hard that those who aren't for us are against us. But do you see the beauty of Jesus' words? "Anyone who isn't against us is for us." What does this mean? It is actually very simple. Just because a Christian is different from us, doesn't mean that he is not a Christian. Our Church is the entirety of Christian believers, not just one church body or one denomination.
We are to praise all Christian works. We are not to tear down others.
Only those who attack us are our enemies.
Praise Jesus!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Reading Mark 7.1-8.26
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Outward things don't impress God. Being pure in heart keeps us from sinning and separation from God.
Throughout the text of Mark, when Jesus performs great miracles of healing He tells people to keep it silent.
Jesus is humble. He gives all the glory to the Father. He is pure in heart.
Praise Jesus!
Outward things don't impress God. Being pure in heart keeps us from sinning and separation from God.
Throughout the text of Mark, when Jesus performs great miracles of healing He tells people to keep it silent.
Jesus is humble. He gives all the glory to the Father. He is pure in heart.
Praise Jesus!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Reading Mark 6.1-56
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
Our family usually judges us harsher than strangers, especially since our family knows our flaws. Did Jesus have any flaws? None that I know of, but imagine a perfectly humble sibling who starts preaching that He is the Son of God. I'm sure that after Jesus was baptized that He become even more outspoken.
Previously I wrote about how we need to witness to our family and friends. Here we see that sometimes that just doesn't work.
Was Jesus discouraged? No! He went on to teach in all the neighboring villages gathering such a following that in Mark 6.30-44 He fed a five thousand (or possible many more if you assume each man brought women and children) with five loaves and two fish. To feed this many people the disciples estimated around a year's salary. This was an all-you-can-eat buffet and there were twelve baskets of leftovers at the end.
Surely, this attests that Jesus is enough for each of us, and that He has plenty more grace to spare.
Praise Jesus!
But Jesus said, "Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family." (Mark 6.4 CEV)
Our family usually judges us harsher than strangers, especially since our family knows our flaws. Did Jesus have any flaws? None that I know of, but imagine a perfectly humble sibling who starts preaching that He is the Son of God. I'm sure that after Jesus was baptized that He become even more outspoken.
Previously I wrote about how we need to witness to our family and friends. Here we see that sometimes that just doesn't work.
Was Jesus discouraged? No! He went on to teach in all the neighboring villages gathering such a following that in Mark 6.30-44 He fed a five thousand (or possible many more if you assume each man brought women and children) with five loaves and two fish. To feed this many people the disciples estimated around a year's salary. This was an all-you-can-eat buffet and there were twelve baskets of leftovers at the end.
Surely, this attests that Jesus is enough for each of us, and that He has plenty more grace to spare.
Praise Jesus!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Reading Mark4.35-5.43
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In Mark 4, Jesus teaches about how to spread to word. Illustrations work best when conveying ideas. In Mark 4.35-41, we see an amazing illustration of Jesus' power as Jesus calms the sea.
Which says more? Which will get people's attention?
Here we see an example that before we tend to strangers, we should tend to our own family. How much better is it if we've pulled our family into the fold to help us in our mission to others?
Mark 5 is filled with examples of Jesus' healing power over flesh. But we must remember that Jesus' healing power for our souls is His reason for coming to Earth.
Praise Jesus!
In Mark 4, Jesus teaches about how to spread to word. Illustrations work best when conveying ideas. In Mark 4.35-41, we see an amazing illustration of Jesus' power as Jesus calms the sea.
Which says more? Which will get people's attention?
- Jesus is all-powerful.
- Jesus calmed the sea during a storm which threatened to sink their boat.
Here we see an example that before we tend to strangers, we should tend to our own family. How much better is it if we've pulled our family into the fold to help us in our mission to others?
Mark 5 is filled with examples of Jesus' healing power over flesh. But we must remember that Jesus' healing power for our souls is His reason for coming to Earth.
Praise Jesus!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Reading Mark4.1-34
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In Mark 4, Jesus teaches about how to spread to word.
In Mark 4.1-20, Jesus teaches the parable of the farmer and explains it to the apostles. Jesus explains,
We should not be discouraged by the small number of believers we convert. Instead, we should be inspired by the quality of the small number of believers we convert.
Praise Jesus!
In Mark 4, Jesus teaches about how to spread to word.
In Mark 4.1-20, Jesus teaches the parable of the farmer and explains it to the apostles. Jesus explains,
"These people will look and look, but never see.This reminds us that even the perfect Son of God could not succeed all the time. There are some people who will not respond no matter what we do. But we can't be frustrated and give up. We must endeavor to spread the word to all.
They will listen and listen, but never understand.
If they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them."
(Mark 4.12 CEV)
We should not be discouraged by the small number of believers we convert. Instead, we should be inspired by the quality of the small number of believers we convert.
Praise Jesus!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Reading Mark 2.1-3.35
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In Mark 2 and 3, Jesus is busy healing people, teaching, answering questions, and gathering his Apostles.
When Jesus' intentions were questioned He spoke these words:
Just as we would never ridicule our perfect God, we should not do so to those who are Spirit-filled.
It is easy to forget the power of our words, but here we see that our words can actually separate us from Him.
Praise Jesus!
In Mark 2 and 3, Jesus is busy healing people, teaching, answering questions, and gathering his Apostles.
When Jesus' intentions were questioned He spoke these words:
"I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever."Have we ever spoke of someone that you disagreed with as evil? Have we ever judged someone based on assumptions of their intentions?
Jesus said this because the people were saying that he had an evil spirit in him. (Mark 3.28-30 CEV)
Just as we would never ridicule our perfect God, we should not do so to those who are Spirit-filled.
It is easy to forget the power of our words, but here we see that our words can actually separate us from Him.
Praise Jesus!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Reading Mark 1.1-45
I am currently reading from the Contemporary English Version provided at Bible Gateway.
In the first chapter of Mark Jesus begins telling people that it is time to turn to God.
When people realize that Jesus can heal others, hordes descend on where he stayed.
Jesus mission, however, was not to come heal bodies. He came to heal our souls. Although He could not refuse His precious children's requests, I think He must have been inconvenienced at people postponing His main mission.
Jesus spoke to the man He just healed.
Now imagine how we live today. We pray asking for what we want God to provide instead of asking what God wants to provide us or wants us to provide for others.
God wants to help us. Instead of loudly requesting our way, we must be ready to receive the help He offers us.
Praise Jesus!
In the first chapter of Mark Jesus begins telling people that it is time to turn to God.
When people realize that Jesus can heal others, hordes descend on where he stayed.
Jesus mission, however, was not to come heal bodies. He came to heal our souls. Although He could not refuse His precious children's requests, I think He must have been inconvenienced at people postponing His main mission.
Jesus spoke to the man He just healed.
He said, "Don't tell anyone about this. Just go and show the priest that you are well. Then take a gift to the temple as Moses commanded, and everyone will know that you have been healed." The man talked about it so much and told so many people, that Jesus could no longer go openly into a town. He had to stay away from the towns, but people still came to him from everywhere.--Mark 1.44-45 CEVImagine Jesus being so thrilled that He could improve the lives of so many people, but being so burdened because His children's requests were competing for time He's allotted for preaching the good news.
Now imagine how we live today. We pray asking for what we want God to provide instead of asking what God wants to provide us or wants us to provide for others.
God wants to help us. Instead of loudly requesting our way, we must be ready to receive the help He offers us.
Praise Jesus!
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I read, write, and do arithmetic. I also love to draw.