Mark 9

Here are some things to look at and ponder.
9:13 But I tell you Elijah has already come and they chose to abuse him just as the scriptures predicted. I believe that Jesus is referring to John the Baptist, who was laughed at, imprisoned and sorrowfully beheaded at the order of a drunken King who paid too much for a dance. Question - can you find in scripture where it is predicted that Elijah would be abused?

9:29 This kind can be cast out only by prayer. This was in response to the disciples not being able to cast out a demon. But here is my question to you. Have you ever said, "Jesus, why could we not ________________?" you fill in the blank. Sometimes I know that I have not been sufficiently to the altar of prayer.

9:49 "For everyone will be tested by fire." No kidding. The scripture may really mean "salted with fire." in a short, but inadequate description of this it means to be purified. I have been purified a few times, how bout you?

Keep reading.

Mark 7

Jesus is always pointing out hypocrisy and loving, healing and saving rejects.

Mark 6

Mark 6:5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief.

This does not fit the Jesus I know. I believe he can do miracles and has the power to do miracles if I want to have them or not. But I see the point, why do the miracles if there is unbelief. Kindof like casting pearls before swine. It is not that he did nothing, just that he did less in that area because of the unbelief.

Note - the end of the same chapter 6:56 "... they begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed."

So... this unbelief or belief is a factor in miracles. Jesus may withold them due to a culture of unbelief. What does this say to those who explain the miracles of the Bible with scientific demythologizing or explanations like (they had the sandwiches hidden in their robes and brought them out ... thus creating the multiplication of the loaves and fish)?

What does this say to me when I seem to lack a miracle believing faith... such as "I do not see the finances as being predictably adequate, etc.?" Am I in disbelief? Do I hinder the miracle work of God? I say I believe and I do believe in them. But am I fooling myself with a little distance, a bit of scepticism or simply not having my whole heart in prayer for the miracles we desire?

See the difference in the enviromments at beginning of the chapter and at the end. The Geresene hometown and the Genessaret area across the way. I certainly want to live out and create a space for miracles to happen. How's your miracle quotient?

Mark 4

The parable of the sower is one of Jesus' parables that he also explains. A sower goes out to sow - some seed falls on path, rocks, birds, thorns and some even in fertile soil. In the parable and in life the sower/farmer sows even though they know some will not yield a result. They still sow the seed. Just like I do both in preaching and in my daily life. But in some cases WOW great fruit. A high yield. But the point is to sow no matter what. One guarantee - no sowing, no reaping. Not even a little.
Wouldn't you love to have a guaranteed evangelism plan or talk that always produces results? Sure, I would too. But that is one of the secrets of the Kingdom. No one plan works for everyone and gets results every time. Here is what I say - we invest ourselves and our lives. In the long run it will pay off. Some of the fruit I see from my ministry is not immediately evident. So, like happened a few months ago, I learn about it 20 years later. Kid you not. Someone tracked me down and told me how my tough love and a corrective measure had turned out well for them 20 years later and they wanted to let me know and thank me. Don't miss the second sowing message in this chapter Mark 4:26 the sower does not understand the growing seed in the ground, but it comes up and there is a harvest.
As in agriculture - I sow and do not always see and understand what is going on underground with that seed and plant. But I do understand when I see fruit or grain and I thank GOD for the growth. It was not me, I was only a part of what God was doing. The one who planted the seed to see if I would grow is watching what I am doing in response to His seed scattering.

This great chorus is by Tommy Walker - He Knows My Name
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

I seem to remember another line to this "He know my every weakness he heals me when I fall." Maybe i made it up I don't know. But I put it out there anyway.

Mark 2

In Ch. 1 of Mark Jesus encountered satan. In Ch. 2 He starts His encounter with the teachers/Scribes/Pharisees. He knew what they were thinking... I do not think we get the point so much here, we get caught up in the healing (take up you mat and walk) or we are caught up in the help of the 4 friends who get the man to Jesus who could not get there himself. I often miss that first Jesus forgave the man's sin, then he healed him in the body to prove he had the power to forgive. The teachers saw that if Jesus was forgiving sins then he was really claiming some divine authority - this is a no no, this is trouble.

New wineskins - a great name for a new, innovative church. I do not know if there is such a church with that name. Probably is, but there is an association called the New Wineskins Association of Churches. ---

What we have seen is a movement of God’s Spirit across the world which is
transcending denominational lines and drawing millions to meet Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior for the first time. New wine of fresh faith in Christ is
being poured out from heaven.
We want to be part of what God is doing. But here at home, mainline denominations struggle with theological confusion, ethical compromise and numerical decline.
We envision a church, therefore, that is theologically clear and passionate because it is based on shared essential tenets of historic orthodox faith.
We envision a church that is brimming over with compassion because we are clear about the Biblical ethics we share.
We envision a church that is missionally driven. Our focus is on outreach, on spreading the gospel in word and deed beyond our walls.
We envision a church that is reshaped in polity in order to serve, not impede, our
mission, in order to deepen trust and accountability. (google new wineskins)

It appears that maybe this group is a Presbyterian reform group. I
must think more about the new wineskins group being based more on the "shared
essential tenets of the the historic orthodox faith." So Jesus is a new wineskin guy - shake the foundations, quit
missing the point, exist for God, not for maintaining the things that seem
to
need to be maintained and do the right thing, glorify God, help
people,
fix the
broken, shake a few trees, be missional. His disciples
will not look like disciples
always looked... or act that way, because they
are reaching new generations,
people groups, etc. for the Lord.. or because
the Lord divinely directed
them
there. Sabbath - another place that Jesus gets in trouble because he is
showing He is Lord of the Sabbath. NLT "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of
people, and not people to meet the needs of the Sabbath." So let me take a
shot
at it here - Sabbath is for restoration, not obligation. Not what I
can
do for
God, but what God can do for me in a time of rest and
renewal.
There's a New
Year resolution for some of us - take Sabbath or
burn out and
be no good to
anyone, especially to God. Granted, I am the
first one to
admit, it takes some
conscious change and working out. But
the words of
Jesus are still the Word of
God. Figure out Sabbath!!!! His
divine authority
shouts it out. I try to take Fridays myself. Been a bit lax at the end of the
year. So here goes for the New Year 2009. What will re-create me so that I
can
serve God better the rest of the week? Shalom, Alan

Mark 1 Happy New year

Here we go- reading one chapter of the NT per day and even getting weekends off. My challenge is GO DEEP.

Mark 1 - I am so glad the readings start with the gospel of Mark. It is my favorite. Everything is about the messiah, healing and it all leads to the passion. 1/2 way through ch 8 Jesus predicts his death and challenges to the cross for everyone.

The news - Jesus, the Messiah is coming.
The messenger - John, rough, ready and passionate.
Jesus Baptism - the banner event and the heavens are opened.
Temptation - Spirit compelled, satan organized

Jesus, Messiah, passed the test. He makes the way for us to pass the test. He's our help, our health, and our salvation.

Inside out or outside in

In my home church in Dunkirk, NY there were beautiful stained glass window scenes. Since the church sanctuary was not open and lit every night there was a spotlight shining through the window on a timer so that the people on the outside of the church could see the beautiful scene of Jesus as they passed by. I have noticed some churches have a light shining from the outside to illuminate the beauty of a window seen from the inside. Which means only insiders get to view the beauty on the average day. Of course when an evening service is happening the window would be lit to view by some.

My point is this. How is my life lit by the "Light of the World" so that those looking in may see Him? Our am I simply having a great time - just Jesus and me? Certainly worth pondering in these days we anticipate the coming of our Lord. My friend Aaron and his community of faith are reminding us that Christmas is "Not my birthday" it is Jesus Birthday celebration. My friend Wayne has asked his people to remember the poor and or the people in Uganda this year. So many of us are trying to get off the spending roller coaster and get on the sharing train. My family has made efforts to give to causes instead of to each other - so Uganda, Heifer project, and others have benefitted.

Which way is your window being illuminated?