relationships (Mark 9:14-29) Teamwork in the Battles

(Mark 9:14-29)

14 And when they came back to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16 And He asked them, “What are you disputing with them?” 17 And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.” 19 And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” 20 And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!” 26 And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him, and he got up. 28 When He came into the house, His disciples began asking Him privately, “Why is it that we could not cast it out?” 29 And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

I have definitely prayed that phrase, quite a few times- "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" Because why not?! The Lord wants us to go to Him with everything!  

As well, I also understand what Jesus is saying in verse 29.  Having been around someone during my childhood who was involved in the occult, I have seen, heard, felt, and sensed many things.  On one occasion, I sensed a presence, and all I had to say was "Go away." But on another occasion, I was "paralyzed", and all I could do was pray in my head, "Jesus help!  Jesus help!..."  And, it wasn't immediate, but supernatural help came!!!

While we have been given authority over the spiritual realm, this is no joke.  And never think that we can or should be some sort of demon hunter.  After doing the Bible read-through for my devotion-blog specifically on the topic of spiritual warfare, I can say with confidence that God never asks us to do that.  Simply put, in our personal relationship with the Lord, consider God as our bodyguard, in everything!  We are not the ones who are able to fight, it is God, and God alone!

The Lord's salvation protects us from being possessed, and protects us from ever losing our salvation.  The Lord's guidance through His indwelling Holy Spirit, and His word, will equip us with His righteousness, peace, love, faith, strength, truth and gospel message.  

I've shared this before, but it's so poignant and helpful.  A missionary in France spoke at our church.  At the time when their group was about to hold an event, there was a heavy cloud of oppression over the entire city.  For days, they kept praying that God would lift that cloud.  It was only until they started to pray that the gospel message would reach the hearts of these people, that the cloud lifted!

Therefore, we are to stay focused on God and carrying out His will, in His guidance and strength, all to His glory... and NOT focus on sin and evil and trying to wage war against it.  That's God's job!  In our personal relationship with Him, He wants to do life with us, as a team... but listen, every team needs a leader!  Let's let God take the lead, always!  He is our heavenly Father, and He alone is sovereign!  

Everything we need to know is given in scriptures, specifically in the following verses, that for everything, all we need is God...

(1 Timothy 6:11-12)

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(Ephesians 6:10-17) 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

relationships (Mark 9:1-13) Being a Better Conversationalist

(Mark 9:1-13)

And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God when it has come with power.”

2 And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here; let’s make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know how to reply; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!” 8 And suddenly they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 10 They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. 11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 And He said to them, “Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

The Israelites were familiar with setting up tabernacles (or booths) to commemorate the times when God's presence was with them.  Memory aids can be good, until they become the objects of worship.  Meanwhile, Jesus, and the glory of the future kingdom, was already with the disciples.  But notice how Peter suggests they do something, only because he didn't know what else to say.  Sound familiar?

As for memory aids, as believers, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit always with us, to guide us, strengthen us and equip us with the right actions and words.  And we have access to God's words, now more than ever, with internet and remote access, and all the devices that are glued to our side...  And, well, then there is our own memory-capabilities.  Although, shocking-not-shocking, whatever is the focus of our hearts, this will be most prevalent in our thinking.  And whatever we are thinking, has the great potential to come out of our mouths.

I grew up hearing, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  Well, I'd like to change that to remind myself, "If I don't know what to say, ask the Lord if there is anything I should say, or is this the time to keep quiet." Otherwise, it's a great way to say something stupid!  Why do we feel like we have to be clever, even with God?  Meanwhile, as we are in a personal relationship with the Lord, who is all-knowing, He wants us to go to Him for everything, which starts with having the motive of God's selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, and His wisdom...

(James 1:5)  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Kind of like how my husband and I will help each other finish our sentences, or help find the right words that we are trying to remember, or help fill in the gaps to events as we are reminiscing... Just like that, I want to include God in every conversation.

relationships (Mark 8:27-38) A Love Like No Other

(Mark 8:27-38)

27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued questioning them: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise from the dead. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but on man’s.”

34 And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Since everyone is born into sin - as slaves to sin - without God in one's life, one will spend eternity separated from God.  How can any slave buy or work their way out of slavery, when the owner owns one's soul?  Our soul is everything!  It is the essence of who we are, and it has been created with eternity in mind.

Thankfully, God created us with the purpose to have a personal love relationship with Him, and desires that all come to know Him.  So when mankind chose to embrace slavery to sin and reject God, in order to provide a way back to Him, He died for all sin, paying the ransom price for every soul.  It is then up to us to make the decision to accept the Lord into our lives.  All it "costs" us is our pride.  

Humility is to realize that we are sinners in need of a Savior.  To realize that Jesus is the Lord God, and that He needs to be first in our lives.  All that is required is that we humbly repent of our sins and accept the Lord's forgiveness and His salvation, which is to have a personal relationship with Him as our heavenly Father.  

Christianity is not about do's and don'ts.  Although, in our relationship with the Lord, like with any relationship, when we live to please Him, our relationship with Him will grow stronger.  Now, because of God's grace, once we are a child of God, we cannot lose our salvation, but this should not encourage us to take God for granted, and sin and live to please our own fleshly desires.  Even though we are saved, when we sin, God will allow us to face earthly consequences  

It is when we do and say things that go against God's will, that we are actually doing Satan's will.  If that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what else?.  Out of His love for us, Jesus died so that we can be free of sin, so why would we want to run back to sin?  And if we say that we truly love God, why would we intentionally do things to displease Him?  While people tend to blame God when things don't go their way, they will do things, thinking that it will hurt God, but they are only creating problems for ourselves, while hurting themselves and others in the process.  

In understanding that the Lord is sovereign and wants the best for us, this should inspire and encourage us to desire the things that He desires.  And I have experienced the results!  When I have done things my way, and/or the world's way, it does not go well.  When I do things God's way, things always work out for good!!!  In our relationship with Him, the Lord is faithful and good!

relationships (Mark 8:14-26) Growing Closer in Stages

(Mark 8:14-38)

14 And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought a man who was blind to Jesus and begged Him to touch him. 23 Taking the man who was blind by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting in his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25 Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Jesus told the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (spiritual leaders and teachers) and the leaven of Herod (government). Those in leadership and power can manipulate people into believing almost anything, which can gain a vast momentum and following.  But the propaganda being taught and puffed up, doesn't have any substance of truth, and at the root of it - is evil.

This discussion was followed by the only two-stage physical healing in the Gospels. Jesus wanted to get the point across that sometimes we are spiritually healed in stages.  As our faith is a journey in a personal relationship with the Lord, it is along the way that we learn, understand and mature in our faith and connection with God. Just like the disciples, who had begun "to see", but not very clearly.

It is often the case that we begin our Christian walk with only thinking about the obvious, like how God is going to physically provide for us.  As we strive in obedience and witness miracles in our lives, we will begin to see how God provides spiritually, at such a deeper and more meaningful level.  Yet, it is so easy to regress by explaining away and forgetting about the miracles and experiences, and getting caught up in the physical.  

I'm certainly not saying that we should chase after "experiences" or miracles, but to remain entrenched in our faith, trust, obedience and relationship with the Lord!  So, as I'm getting older, I'm praying more and more that the Lord will continue to "heal" my heart, mind, soul, eyes and ears!  You know, as I remember to pray this!!!

relationships (Mark 8:11-38) Signs of Love

(Mark 8:11-13)

11 And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!” 13 And leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Here was God in flesh Himself, performing miracles - as a "sign" -  to prove His authority here on earth.  AND a whole bunch of "signs" had already occurred and were occurring right in front of them, which were fulfilling prophecies of the (Old Testament) scriptures.  For instance:  Jesus just being here in flesh, born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, having fled to Egypt and returning to Israel, living in Nazareth in the region of Galilee, knowing what people were thinking, and (while "uneducated") teaching the people with great knowledge and wisdom and in parables...  

Yet, the Pharisees weren't even asking Jesus to do some magic trick to wow them for their own entertainment, they were only seeking for an excuse to execute Him.  Just like Jesus "couldn't do much healing" in His own homeland because of people's unbelief, the Pharisee's unbelief prevented them from seeing the sign/s that were right in front of them.

While God will do amazing good and nice things for unbelievers to get their attention so that they might believe in Him, the Lord is very clear in that when we have faith, He will do mighty things for us, with us, in us, and through us.  Because He desires to have a close, personal love relationship with us, and our Christianity is ALL about having a close, personal love relationship with the Lord Jesus, it is only in this that we can truly experience and appreciate His presence and blessings!

Someone once tried arguing with me that this was proof that God didn't actually love everyone, and that somehow God was prejudiced - because He would only reward those who did things which He deemed "good enough", and did not allow everyone into heaven just as they are.  Well, Jesus died for all people, whether they accept Him or reject Him.  THAT is agape, sacrificial, unconditional love.  And true love does not force anyone to love back, and does not force anyone to obey.  Yet in grace, those who accept Him, He will never let us go.  And only the things we do in His agape love, guidance, strength - and - all to His glory - will be rewarded.  

There's nothing super special about any of us in that way, except that we have willing hearts.  It is all God's handiwork!  It is all about God!  It is all about having a relationship with God!  Because He loves us, and wants to do life with us!  And when someone goes to God just as they are and repents to receive the Lord's forgiveness, we ALSO receive His indwelling Holy Spirit who changes us from the inside out.  THAT IS - a huge sign - proof in our lives of just how much He cares!!!

relationships (Mark 8:1-10) Eating Together

(Mark 8:1-10)

1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus summoned His disciples and said to them, 2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me for three days already and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4 And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He directed the people to recline on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve, and they served them to the people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well. 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand men were there; and He dismissed them. 10 And immediately He got into the boat with His disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Jesus' compassion was not misplaced.  He saw the hearts of these people who were sincerely seeking after Him.  After all, they had denied their physical hunger just to stay with Him for three days and hear Him speak, because they were spiritually hungry.  Typically, the message from these verses is how the Lord provides, because He desires that we go to Him with all our needs, problems and requests.  The Lord God wants to provide, solve, help, build and establish, and pour into us His wisdom, strength, righteousness and love.  It's a 24-7 kind of love relationship, because God wants to do life with us, for us, in us, and through us.

What is also jumping out at me today, is that Jesus invites us to eat with Him, both spiritually and physically.  So not only gathering with others to praise and worship the Lord, but dining together is such an intimate thing to do.  It's difficult to serve and eat at the same table with someone we hate or with someone who hates us.  While we are called to love and have a servant's-heart-attitude towards all people, it is glorious when believers gather together.  The closer we all are to the Lord, the closer we will be to one another.  And in that, we can eat together with grace, thankfulness, praise, celebration, and fellowship, in God's love;  and know that God is always in our midst!

relationships (Mark 7:24-37) The Greatest Honor

(Mark 7:24-37)

24 Now Jesus got up and went from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know about it; and yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician descent. And she repeatedly asked Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” 29 And He said to her, “Because of this answer, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And after going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

31 Again He left the region of Tyre and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 32 And they brought to Him one who was deaf and had difficulty speaking, and they begged Him to lay His hand on him. 33 And Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers in his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 36 And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. 37 And they were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even those who are deaf hear, and those who are unable to talk, speak.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Jesus does not see Gentiles as less-than, and He did not call the woman a dog.  Jesus only used this as an analogy, in order for the woman to demonstrate her faith in the supremacy of the true God, especially since pagans typically sought out magicians for healing.  These verses demonstrate that this woman not only understood the historical background of Israel and the Lord God, but she also understood that non-Jewish people are included.  She even had enough faith to know that God could heal her daughter with even the smallest fraction of His power!

While people also went to magicians for things like healing, Jesus was not trying to emulate them when He healed the deaf and mute man.  In fact, this is why Jesus took the man aside.  And while we know Jesus could heal someone without even touching them, here we see something very different.  Remember, the man was deaf, and it was just him and Jesus, so what Jesus did with His hands was most likely a type of sign language for the man to understand that He was going to heal him, and to encourage the man's faith in what He was about to do.

While magicians preferred to perform in front of large crowds, using physical antics and gestured in their tricks, they would also use unintelligible phrases.  So here, Jesus not only healed this man in private, with sign language that the man could understand, Jesus also spoke Aramaic, which would have been a common language in that region, because most likely, the man could lip-read a bit, as well.  This all just demonstrates how much Jesus wants to communicate with us, and for us to know and understand Him!  It's just up to us to listen!  

These verses are also not saying that Jesus doesn't want to be found, and it is not saying that we are to keep silent about Him.  Jesus is always there for those who seek Him - because - they truly want Him in their life.  And for us right now, Jesus certainly wants us to tell others about Him.  

This is our great commission in life... to ask and allow the Lord to guide us into opportunities, and give us the right words to speak in ways for others to hear the good news message clearly, so that they may also come to know the Lord in a personal relationship.  We have the great honor of being a child of God, the great honor of being able to hear Him speak to us, the great honor of Him wanting us to speak to Him, and the great honor of introducing the Lord Jesus to the world.