Mark 5:1-10 We Are Free Indeed!

Mark 5:1-10  They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.  When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.  This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.  For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet.  No one was strong enough to subdue him.  Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”  For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”  Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”  “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”  And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 

Legion, a man bound hand and foot by tormenting demons, living a life of desperation and loneliness, illustrates quite dramatically the general lostness of the many who exist without God on this earth and without an eternal purpose.  Jesus says people who will not hear his words have a father who is the adversary of God himself.  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here.  I have not come on my own; but he sent me.  Why is my language not clear to you?  Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire."  (John 842-44)  Jesus says those rebellious to his words are slaves to sin, and the author of this rebellion is the devil.  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."  (John 8:33)  Literally, Jesus is saying that those who live their lives for themselves, who act as if the eternal God does not exist, are bound hand and foot, prisoners of the evil one.  They are not like Legion, raving in the loneliness of the wilderness, displaying bizarre behavior, but they are equally as bound by the spirits of destruction as the hopeless Legion.  Their view of life as an accidental, transient experience with no real purpose other than to eat, drink, and be merry opens them up to the devil's lies, which includes that there is no God and that life is an ephemeral, existential experience, nothing more.  Of course these conclusions, push mankind into a dark cave of meaninglessness with no other purpose than to exist for this world's enticements, for they see no hope of a better life to come.  Christ told the people: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  After those on his right, blessed of the Father, enter into their eternal reward, Jesus will turn to his left, saying, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  (Matthew 25:31-33 &41) 

When Jesus arrived on the shore that day, He came to bring hope to one who had no hope, to one who outside of Christ who would have faced the eternal flames of Hades.  He came to deliver Legion from a desperate life on this earth and from total separation from the God who loved him and sent his Son to ransom Legion from hell.  He came to set free an eternal soul trapped in his own dark cage of oppression.  Jesus immediately commands the demons to “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”  Jesus refers to the demons in the singular, spirit; however, the man is possessed by many demons, all of them representing the kingdom of darkness.  For sure they represented one spirit of evil, and this spirit of evil intended to torment and then to destroy this man made in God's image.  The devil's pleasure is to oppress and finally to destroy anyone who is made in God's image.  As humans in his image, we are uniquely created to glorify God through Christ Jesus our Lord.  And IN CHRIST we become holy children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High, capable of being in The Almighty's presence forever.  The devil hates this plan of God; he hates us, for through Christ, we bring glory to God his advesary.  Consequently, Satan's evil intentions are to bring all humanity down to the pit of despair and hopelessness.  But we trust in the promises of God who planned a rescue mission from the beginning of time.  As the psalmist wrote: I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.  (Psalm 40:1-3)  There is no cry too weak for God to hear; no pit too deep for him to reach; no slim, mud or mire too laden with sin for the Holy Spirit to penetrate.  Christ broke every barrier of evil at the cross and won the victory over sin and death.  He says, "You are free!" And we are free indeed!

We who hear the voice of Christ and believe upon his holy name are set free from the consequence of sin which is death--death in this life and death in the life which is to come.  Paul explained so well the provision God has made for us: For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.  (Romans 5:17)  We have been made by God the Father to live eternally in the place prepared for those who love him, his much-loved children.  The blood-bought church of the living Lord is no longer bound by the chains of this evil world of sin and sickness.  Satan has no hold on the redeemed.  As surely as Christ arose, we have been raised in newness of life to overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit and to live forever in the presence of God.  We know who we are in Christ because his Word tells us: We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life.  (1 John 5:20)   Dear children, live a life of spiritual fruitfulness.  Jesus has given us freedom and abundant life to do his work.  To every man and woman, He says, I have work for you to do.  I have set you free from the darkness of the cave and blessed you with spiritual gifts.  No longer are you lost in the wilderness.  No longer do you need to allow your mind to whirl because of the futility of this earthly existence.  No, my child, you have a purpose; you have a promised land to inherit; it is at the very heart of God.  Come boldly and confidently to the Holy of Holies.  There, you will find peace, rest, and joy.  Your mind will say, "I am finally home."  Anxiety, doubt, and fear will flee, for God will wipe away every tear.  Praise God, the Lord has come to our shore today, and He is ready to set us free as we yield everything to him.  Amen!  

We have been on vacation.  It is good to be back!

  

Mark 4:35-41 Do You Have Faith?

Mark 4:35-41  That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him 

along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 

There were at least four commercial fishermen in that storm-stressed boat, and of course in that ancient culture many men fished, so the boat was probably full of experienced fishermen.  Yet, regardless of their personal experiences with boats and water, these men were fearing the immediate capsizing of their boat because of the fierceness of the squall.  They definitely were in fear of drowning.  This maelstrom of wind and rain brought them to a sleeping Jesus with a frantic question: Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?  Of course, Jesus, the carpenter by training and experience, was definitely not the most experienced fisherman in that boat, but the disciples realized if anyone had an answer to their dire circumstance, it would be Jesus.  Jesus awakes; He comes to their aid by rebuking the wind and calming the waves: “Quiet! Be still!”  He then inquires of them why they were so afraid and why they still had no faith.  Of course, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, understood why they were afraid and why they actually possessed little or no faith in God even though this was not the first time they had seen him use power from on high.  They should have remembered when He was teaching in the synagogue and a demon possessed man came and spoke to him, and Jesus dealt with him as easily as He stilled the storm: “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”  The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.  (Mark 1:25-26)  Although they had seen Jesus heal Simon's mother-in-law who was sick with a fever, deliver a paralyzed man, and heal many others who were demon possessed or ill with various diseases, they lacked faith in this situation.   Jesus knew that in the midst of the storm, they were driven by their human instincts, including their fear of death.     

As we view this account today as born again Christians, we realize that in similar difficult circumstances, we often respond in the same unbelieving manner as Christ's disciples who were in the boat that day.  Even though our confession is that Jesus Christ loves us with an everlasting love and that we are safe in his presence, we still often function as if He is not in the boat.  When times of stress hit us, we many times revert back to fear and anxiety.  Then the peace of God that passes all understanding flees from our souls.  We are found not as Jesus sleeping soundly in faith when the fierceness of the wind and waves are beating upon our existence.  Instead, this awful turbulence siphons off the faith within us.  Our hearts tremble with fear, for the storm seems to be too great.  Even thought theologically, we know Jesus is supposedly in the boat, this fact is head knowledge rather that heart confidence.  We have often in the past affirmed this belief by singing songs and making statements about Jesus' faithfulness and goodness to those who love him.  But under duress and trying circumstances, our minds become confused; our faith becomes anemic and powerless.  Fearing that God is not with us, that Jesus is sleeping and not concerned about our dire circumstances, we forget that He promised He would never leave us or forsake us.  Sadly, the message of the still small voice of the Spirit is overridden by or own hysteria, doubt, and anxiety.  We are exactly as the foolish man Jesus described: But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  (Matthew 7:26-27)  When we have no sure foundation of faith, when our lives are not built upon the solid Rock Christ Jesus, we cannot withstand the storms of life.  This is when Jesus asks us: Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  

Looking at this universal story of facing the storms of life, we clearly see Jesus IS IN THE BOAT.  He is with the disciples; they are not alone.  We also should always be cognizant we are never alone without God's presence. But what about him coming to our aid?  What about him waking up and calming the storm?  Jesus said, Why are you so afraid?  Don't you realize God is with you whether you go down or not?  Why do you think I am sleeping?  I know whatever the circumstances are, I am resting in God's hands for I am HIS child.  Do you still have no faith that you are his child?  Do you still not realize He is the creator of all things and you rest in his hands. We know and believe his Word and we agree with Paul's statement to the church in Rome: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)  What a challenge Jesus presents the disciples that day in the boat.  These disciples who will all be martyred except John needed to know Jesus is always in the boat, always with them regardless of whether they go down in the deepest part of the sea or whether the seas become as calm as glass.  My friends, do we have this steadfast faith?  Faith is knowing that God is with us regardless.  Faith is not the rescuing ingredient in every situation.  Faith is believing in God's goodness and protection in any circumstances, in any outcome.  Yes, God answers prayer; He does respond to frantic requests, but God is in control with his own agenda for his beloved children.  He loves us, He restores us, He keeps us; but it is all according to his ETERNAL WILL, not our will.  At the end of Matthew, we read this beautiful commission along with a precious promise that is the key to faith that lasts: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (Matthew 28:18-20)  Bless you as you go out in faith today, dear ones! 

Mark 4:26-32 The Kingdom of God Within You

Mark 4:26-32  He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”  Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?  It is like a tiny mustard seed.  Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.” 

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God come?"  Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God isn't ushered in with visible signs.  You won't be able to say, 'Here it is! or 'It's over there!'  For the Kingdom of God is within you."  (Luke 17:21-22)   

What is the kingdom of God like in you?  Is it as Jesus describes, a seed growing in God's kingdom daily, whether you are asleep or awake?  Are you becoming more like Jesus?  Are you ready to be harvested in the FULL IMAGE OF GOD?  The Bible often talks about Christians maturing, developing into the fullness of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  By faith we have received the seed of the Good News of the gospel.  The Holy Spirit has planted the seed in good soil and nurtured it as we yield to the Lord and follow his leading.  By faith IN CHRIST we live.  As Christians, we no longer live by the constructs of this world, according to our natural human intellect.  We live and breathe according to the eternal realities of heaven where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father.  We don't strive to win the world, for this world is no longer our prize: we seek to please God and look to our everlasting home.  We do not center our thoughts on this world, but on the world to come.  As Paul wrote to the church in Colosse:  

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  (Colossians 3:1-4)  Since Paul fully embraced these truths, he could write to the churches as a spiritual father who encouraged them to grow in faith regardless of his circumstances.  While he was in prison, uncertain of his future on this Earth, he could say, 

But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you.  And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.  (Philippians 2:17-18)  

Is this the faith we embrace?  Are we developing: 

first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head?  Are our roots going down deep within the Lord?  Are our lives so submerged in God that we are developing in every hour of our existence?  The Bible indicates strongly that we must remain in faith, and we must willingly allow the Holy Spirit to have control in our lives.  While we walk this Earth, we depend upon the Spirit to give us life and light.  We know that because of God's work in us we have confidence, and we walk by faith, not by sight.  (2 Corinthians 5:7)  The Holy Spirit is the indwelling living water that allows the Kingdom of God to develop richly in our lives.  He is the Great Counselor, the Comforter, the Guide--the One who will lead us home.  Through his presence, we grow in strength, power, and best of all in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  His presence also flows out of us to the surrounding community of unbelievers, those He has called us to love and to serve.  Others see Christ in us as the Holy Spirit makes us more conformable to the image of Christ.  But all of this wonderful development of the kingdom of God requires our willingness to follow God in everything we do.  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.  Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.  Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.  (Colossians 2:6-7)   T

he Holy Spirit, changes our ways of thinking.  We become as God is if we continue to live set apart unto the Lord, trusting in God's life in us.  If we remain IN HIM, believing and acting upon his words wholeheartedly, He provides us his eternal peace that passes all our understanding.

How do we know the kingdom of God within is taking over our lives?   When we truly yield to our Lord, our lives will reveal the riches of God's mercy and the depths of his loving kindness.  Going back to Paul's message to the church at Colosse, he went on to say, 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  (Colossians 3:12-17) 

 People immersed in the grace of God love unconditionally.  They are tenderhearted, merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.  Longsuffering will stand as an emblem of their character.  Ambassadors of God's kingdom make allowances for each other's faults and readily forgive the persons who offend them.  Abundant love flows from all of their relationships.  When we fully display these attributes without doubt or fear, the peace of God will dwell in us regardless of the circumstances in this world.  When the seeds of faith are placed emphatically IN THE GOOD GROUND OF JESUS IN US AND NURTURED WITH ENDURING HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, others will come and find rest sheltered under our branches because we will grow strong and tall in the Lord.  Bless you dear readers.  We know the desire of your hearts is to grow in the Lord.  Remember the words of Jesus when He said, 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35) 

  

Mark 4:24-25 We Live By Faith

Mark 4:24-25  “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Jesus realizes that the majority of his audience can hear because they have the biological mechanisms to hear the sounds around them.  He knows they respond according to how their brains interpret the sound waves they receive; therefore, He cautions them to consider carefully what they hear.  He knew the people in his audience could somewhat process the literal information they received from him, but He also knew they were deaf to the spiritual implications of his parables.  Only the disciples were exposed to a deeper spiritual understanding of his teaching because of their relationship with him.  Yes, they all had ears, but only a few possessed understanding; and those few, his disciples, did not truly understand the full implications of Jesus' parables until the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost.  Then the Spirit's indwelling presence made Jesus' parables food for their spiritual lives of faith.  When the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, He told them He must go away so He could send the Holy Spirit.  He comforted the disciples with these words, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  A little later, He explained further: Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.  (John 14:26 & 16:6-11)

In his teaching in Mark, we see Jesus talking about an unseen substance that can be distributed to people.  With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more.  What is Christ referring to that can be measured?  What can be dispersed?  In all of these parables in Mark 4, He is talking about a spiritual existence, a spiritual kingdom.  He is talking about faith, for faith alone can open the door to God's kingdom, the world of the Spirit.  The place of God's dwelling is not found through the physical senses: smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting, and feeling.  This world of the eternal kingdom can be entered into only by faith.  When we choose to live by faith and not by our human intellect and senses, we are living by the measure of faith we allow in our lives.  Paul wrote, We live by faith, not by sight.  (2 Corinthians 5:7)  He had learned what every believer must recognize, the more we open our lives to God's works of righteousness, the more we yield to the Holy Spirit, the more God will measure out faith to us.  He will encourage our faith by providing miracles and revelations in our lives.  He will open our spiritual eyes and ears that we might see and hear the things of the Spirit.  In this life of faith, we enter into what God calls an abundant life, a life blessed by his continuous presence.  This kind of spiritual existence can produce much fruit regardless of the everyday vicissitudes and setbacks of life.  We live in the same way we were saved: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)  We have the nature of Christ in us; consequently, we do kingdom work as He gives us his mercy and grace because we are favored by his unconditional love.

Jesus also warns about the consequences of lives void of faith.  These people accept only what their senses reveal to them--whatever their logical minds can process and understand.  They are dead to the spiritual sound waves from heaven.  Even if they do for a few minutes open up to God's voice, their lack of commitment to him causes their faith in the voice of God to disappear quickly, and even what they once had will be taken away.  Those who lack a foundation in the Word are easily distracted by the world, for they lack deep faith and do not long for the things of God.  In the above teaching, Jesus says those who desire to abide in God's domain must live by faith; we must continue to stretch our faith muscles and let our roots go down deep so we may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.  (Isaiah 61:3)  This of course is difficult in times of need, when we grow weary or we are depressed because of our situations.  Some trials seem insurmountable to overcome in the flesh.  But Jesus encourages us to measure out a large scoop of faith.  He asks us to hold firm to his words.  When we feel suffocated by the adverse circumstances in our lives, when we feel that there is not enough air in the room, we must turn to Jesus and ask for his abundant presence and his miraculous supply.  We must restate affirmations of faith: Because He lives, we live; we are no longer alone; He is with us wherever we are; Our lives are hidden with Christ in God; We are more than conquerors through Christ our Lord.  There are many more faith statements each of us can place in this list.  At times it may seem hard when we are under duress, yet if we measure out a large measure of faith, God will give us more.  But if we retreat in fear and doubt, even what we have will be taken away.  Therefore, beloved brethren, stand in faith, believing in the name of the Lord regardless of circumstances.  We are believing for you.  Shout out the Word by faith: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20)  You were bought with a price and you live by faith!  God bless all of you richly!  Amen!                 

Mark 4:21-23 Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

Mark 4:21-23  He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?  Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?  For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

A lamp is meant to illuminate, to reveal clearly its surroundings.  Jesus says a lamp is not placed under a bowl or a bed; if so, its designed purpose is lost.  So it is with us Christians. If we, as God's blood-bought souls, inundated with the light of the Spirit, are not actively revealing God's image and his righteousness to the world, we have lost our reason for existence.  As Christians, we should function as lamps of God so that the hidden and concealed sins of the world will be exposed to God's light.  In John 3, we read people love darkness rather than light.  Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  (John 3:19-20)  When we bring light to the world, those who dwell in great darkness because of their desires to do evil will hate the lamp of God's revealing light.  Their father, the devil, will do everything possible to distinguish the light in those who love the Lord.  As dedicated lamps of God, we must avoid working in concert with the devil and his purposes.  We must not allow negativity, persecution, disappointments, sickness, apathy or any such deterrent to affect where we place our lamps or how we live in this world.  If we allow these attitudes and hurtful experiences to adversely affect the work of the cross in our lives and the power of our testimonies, we are hiding our lamps under a bowl or bed rather than shining brightly for all to see.  

We who are IN CHRIST are living epistles of God's handiwork to a world steeped in spiritual darkness.  As "born again" new creatures IN CHRIST, we are made to do good work through him, to reveal God's goodness and holiness to the world.  As lamps of God we reflect Christ, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, to all people, knowing that whosoever believes in Christ as the Son on God will have a new life in Christ.  The light brings truth to all circumstances.  When Jesus' light shone on the teachers of the law and the self-righteous Pharisees, He said to them, Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.  In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.  (Matthew 23:27-28)  His light revealed the hidden places in the hearts of these men.  He exposed them to be children of the devil and not the children of the Light.  When they saw the light in Jesus, they turned from him rather than accepting the truth in him because they feared He would take away their privileged position in the religious order and in society.  They did not want to repent of the evil in their hearts and turn to the Light and become clean by the cleansing power of God.

The devil wants us to hide our lamps, to place them under the bed or a bowl.  He hates the Light because he knows who Christ is.  When John introduces his gospel, he speaks of Christ as the light that shines in the darkness, the Creator of all things, and He says: In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  (John 1:4)  After Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more, He told the people, I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  (John 8:12)   Knowing this, the devil constantly wars against the LIGHT OF THE WORLD WHO BRINGS MERCY AND GRACE INTO THE DARKNESS.  If for some reason our light falters, maybe hardships or persecutions cause us to drawback from burning brightly as a light for Christ, we should reconsider our decision, for God finds no pleasure in those who retreat from the message of the gospel.  When Jesus sent the twelve out, He told them of the many persecutions they would face as sheep among wolves.  He said, All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.  (Matthew 10:22)  The Apostle Paul, who was a great light because of what He endured in his life, said, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure." He could also say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  (2 Timothy 4:6-8)  In other words, he gave his all for God during the few years he lived on this planet Earth.  He let his light shine.  We, too, my friends, should have this same mindset.  We should finish the race, testifying of God's goodness, regardless of the trials we faced in this world.  If we don't fight to the end, we will have put our lamps in the cupboard where they have no influence.  The devil would like that, to see our retreat; but we are not like those who quit, we will fight the good fight of faith until the end.  Be of good cheer, dear ones.  Rejoice in the Lord today.  It is finished, the battle is over.  We have the victory in Christ our Lord!        

   

Mark 4:13-20 Even at the Right Hand of God

Mark 4:13-20  Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable?  How then will you understand any parable?  The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown.  As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.  Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop — thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

In this world, people are found in all kinds of environments when the Holy Spirit sows God's seed in their lives.  Some are on hard ground.  They are in a culture, a society, where the rain of God's blessing, his Word, finds no place to take root so close to the busy path of daily living.  The fertile soil is lacking in these environments, and what soil there is has been beaten down by the many evil practices inculcated in the daily routine of the people.  Idol worship; demonic possessions; slavery of men, women, and children; sexual promiscuity are indicative of very hard ground.  The spiritual ears of these people have been enslaved by the devil himself so that when the blessed rain of God falls from heaven and God speaks to them through his Word, they are unable to understand, making it impossible for their lives to flower for God.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  (Matthew 5:45)  But because their motivations and their deeds are nurtured by the elements of this world they produce no fruit that is pleasing to God.  Every plant requires good soil, water, and sunlight.  Jesus said, This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.  (John 3:19-21)  Those who cannot receive the Word of God also reject his light. 

Another environment that might be considered more acceptable to receiving God's precious rain is the soil considered rocky.  This soil is comparable to foxhole conversions.  People reach out to God because they find themselves in a difficult situation that seems impossible to eradicate, perhaps imminent death; consequently, they turn to the supernatural.  They receive God's intervention with great joy, making promises to serve him in return.  They accept fully the blessings from God, but when their lives experience other rocky situations, other hardships, which seem not to ameliorate when they call upon God, they quickly abandon him.  They abandon God's Word, his presence, and his reality in their lives.  They fail to endure to the end, to mature, to produce fruit that will please God.  And they never did get around to keeping their promises about serving him.  Their relationships with God were all about receiving: they had no roots in the Lord.  Crowds of people followed Jesus, but one time He said this to them: I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  (John 6:26-27)  He was saying that they were following him because they were hungry and He gave them food for their natural bodies; but He wanted to give them the bread of life that would bring them life everlasting.

The third environment in the parable consists of extremely fertile ground that allows the seed to sprout and to grow rapidly.  However, the seeds of the Spirit do not abide alone in the soil, and everything else in this ground of freedom grows rapidly too.  No gardener comes to weed the garden to protect the good seed. Soon the positive lay of the land produces many thorns, and they grow quickly, enticing the believers away from the truth.  Rather than allowing God alone to sustain them, to mature them in this life, they look around them for other experiences to satisfy the hunger in their souls.  They spend their time tasting the refreshments of the world, desiring the wealth and the material goods the world has to offer them, adding new experiences and pleasures to their lives, becoming more concerned with eating, drinking, and entertainment than they are with God's Word, his presence, his blessings.  They allow God's rain to be wasted on themselves extravagantly in spurts here and there, instead of steadily allowing the Spirit to guide and teach them the truth.  They become vaccinated Christians, carrying his name but not his experiences.  They minds turn away from heaven to their earthly desires.  They do not think of serving God or others.  By doing so, they produce little or no fruit that is pleasing to God.  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes well those who have chosen such a path: For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  (Philippians 3:18-19)  

Conversely, there is a fertile, committed environment that produces abundant fruit for God.  The people planted in this soil die completely to the world and its  pleasures.  They strive to please God in all they do by yielding to the Holy Spirit as their guide.  Their ears are attuned to the Holy Spirit's voice and they are yielded to the Father's plan.  They follow God in their daily lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to keep the soil free from weeds and fertile with the rain from above, the Word of God.  A song of praise to God is constantly on their lips.  They enjoy the community of believers, cherishing the fellowship of the brethren.  They live to love and to serve others, even their enemies.  These people are God's beloved, his adopted sons and daughters, who endure to the end.  They endure through hardships, enticements, distractions, discouragements, sorrow, and death.  They live for Christ and for him alone.  They do not add anything to the gospel of Christ because they know their lives are hidden with Christ in God, and they are rooted and grounded in him.  Because they are found IN HIM, they produce much fruit that is pleasing to their Father in Heaven.  Their lives display the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  When each of them stands before the Father someday, He will bless his beloved one, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

Precious breakfast companions, we pray that all who are around this table are immersed in the body of Christ.  No other life fully sustains us.  No other life brings fruit to bless and to honor our Father in heaven.  We do not want to be Christians in name only, merely vaccinated against hell.  The life that pleases God produces fruit, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.  We died WITH CHRIST on the cross; we are alive IN CHRIST in the resurrection.  IN HIM, WE ARE SEATED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES, EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.  

  

        

Mark 4:9-12

Mark 4:9-12  Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.  He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.  But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” 

Do we all have ears?  Yes, but we all do not have our inner ears tuned to the voice of God.  Some people will always be on the outside with ears deaf to the words of the Holy Spirit. They are those eternally, adamantly opposed to anything that elevates God to his rightful position in their lives.  They have ears, but never allow the Spirit to open them so they might hear from God.  Of course, Jesus' ministry was for all people.  The angels expressed that view when they announced the Christ child's birth: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:8-11) But there will always be those like the Pharisees who reject Christ for their lives and desire their own little kingdoms over God's kingdom.  They do not want another king ruling in their fiefdoms.  They intend to lead, not to follow.  This personality trait is part of fallen mankind's DNA, part of the sin nature.  

We first see the spirit of rebellion develop in Satan's great deception: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.”  (Genesis 1, 4-5)  From the time of the fall, man has been in a continuous struggle with God in determining what happens on Earth.  We see this basic fallen nature, the innate desire to control, manifest itself before the flood.  God destroyed all the people except those on the ark in Noah's time because of their violent sin nature.  Man's propensity towards violence is illustrative of his strong desire to control events and situations.  People tend to resort to deception and violence whenever they do not get their way.  Human beings want to control and if necessary they will use force to get their way.  In the Old Testament, we see King David lusting after Bathsheba, arranging to have her husband, Uriah, die in battle, and then taking her as his wife--all this to satisfy his sinful desires.  (See 2 Samuel 11 & 12)  But man's desire to be godlike is also seen in his idol worshipping.  People craft gods according to their fears and wants, gods they can control.  They worship these gods of wood, stone, or precious metals so they can have their will on earth and ignore the true God and his will.  Idolatry is just part of mankind's plan to maintain control over his existence.  We also see in the Bible the lust and desires of the kings God put on the Israelite throne who led the Jewish people into sin, eventually causing them to be punished and exiled into every nation.  The Old Testament is replete with examples of mankind's battle with God.  When we look to the New Testament, we see the same scenario played out in the rejection, persecution, and death of Jesus and his followers because people ignored the truth, the way, and the life.  Sinful man will allow no other God than himself.  

Yes, man has the ability to hear and to know God, but in his state of rebellion, he has stopped his ears from the voice of God.  He lives on the "outside" of God's presence.  His DNA of rebellion will not allow him to listen to the "good news."  Therefore, Jesus spoke in parables, for he knew those who were eternally, persistently rebellious would never be convinced by reason and truth.  They look at a world that is obviously unique in existence and claim there is no supernatural element in its construction.  They look at the phenomenon of life and claim it is but an accident.  Their conclusions about life obstruct their ability to have spiritual ears.  Therefore, they will always be on the outside.  For sure, they are never open to Jesus' message of grace and mercy from the God of creation and reality.  They will never allow their spirits to be wooed by the Holy Spirit.  Their deadness in understanding and clear thought causes them to trample the good things of God.  It is difficult to bring the gospel to those with closed minds.  Jesus said,  Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.  If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.  (Matthew 7:6)  Sadly, they see the power of God in life around them but never perceive; they hear the words of the Jesus and others testifying of the reality of God, but they never really understand, for life to them is but a biological accident in an unfathomable experience.  We must pray for the Holy Spirit to soften hearts and to prepare the way for the Word of the Lord to penetrate hard hearts.  We read in God's Word: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  (2 Peter 3:9)     

The Holy Spirit sensitizes ears to hear the voice of the living God.  He talks about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who takes away our sins and plants seeds to bring forth a harvest for the kingdom of God.  He clears the way for us to worship the Creator of all things.  The twelve disciples were called to hear the voice of God.  Jesus breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit.  Yet, until the Holy Spirit came in his fulness on the day of Pentecost, they also were confused by Jesus' teachings.  After the fulness of God dwelt in their hearts, they became true testimonies of his teachings and carried the gospel to the known world with great zeal.   We who have the Spirit within us have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  We are living testimonies of Jesus' teachings.  Those who resist the Holy Spirit's call are in a dangerous position outside of the grace and mercy of God.  Jesus said all sin will be forgiven except for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, rejecting his call, for He alone can open up the ears of a dead man lost in trespasses and sin.  He can make Jesus' parable relevant for us today.  The Holy Spirit will open blind eyes and heal deaf ears, but we must be willing.  The Lord does not force himself upon us.  We always have a choice.  As Joshua said to the people, we must each choose this day whom we will serve.  (See Joshua 24:15)  We must listen and obey; hear and speak to others the Good News that Christ came to save sinners.  We walk in grace and mercy that we might lead others on the path of righteousness to eternal life with our heavenly Father.  None of us are worthy but all are called and accepted through the precious blood of the Lamb.  We close with these wonderful words of life from Paul to Timothy: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen.  (1 Timothy 1:15-17)  

Dear Breakfast Friends,

One of our sons suggested Monday might be a better day to send out our breakfasts because Saturday is a busy day for many people with planned family activities and outings.  He also mentioned that some people get the breakfast on their office email accounts.  By the time they come back to work, the breakfast can be lost among 50 other emails.  So we are trying this for a while.  We hope it works better for you.  We want to make it easy for you to read the breakfasts.  Bless you today and every day.

Faithfully in his love,

Dad and Mom