When All Seems Lost | February 6, 2017
Why does it seem that Jesus is sleeping when we think we are on the brink of perishing? Why does He seem so cozy on the cushion while our lives have gone over the edge? It seems the story is clear. He's not worried like we are.
Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Mark 4:38, NASB
Coming Up Behind Jesus | February 7, 2017
Sometimes we feel the need to approach Jesus from a different direction to get what we need. Of course if we were truly conscious of who He is we would never resort to such tactics. However, sometimes our minds can still be subject to our unclear or ignorant beliefs.
After hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”
Mark 5:27-28, NASB
The Problem With Jesus At Home | February 8, 2017
When Jesus visits His hometown, the people there judged Him on their familiarity with Him rather than on who He really was.
But Jesus told them, “The only place a prophet isn’t honored is in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.” He couldn’t work any miracles there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and cure them. Their unbelief amazed him.
Mark 6:4-6, GW
What Is Going On Inside? | February 9, 2017
Many of us have been taught how to appear spiritual and to curb behaviors that would appear "un-Christian." While these approaches have some measure of prudence in them, they fall far short in the development of the heart and the spirit.
After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man."
Mark 7:14-15, NASB
Do You Have Built In Faith? | February 10, 2017
Immature and underdeveloped faith tries to find its footing on signs, wonders, and acts of God. These are self-evident to the mature, for they have no need for a "show" from God.... What would your faith-life be if Jesus said to you, "Truly, no sign will be given to you." Would it cause the faith in us to rise or the faith outside of us to be discouraged?
The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Mark 8:11-12, NASB