Read the Bible in a Year (16OCT19)

`DAILY REMINDER – Today, October 16’s Bible reading is Mark 4-5.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, October 17’s Bible reading is Mark 6-7. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

MARK MOMENT – (16OCT19) “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!’” (Mark 4:10-12). Jesus often used parables when teaching the people about the kingdom of God. The disciples asked Jesus about this, but Jesus let them know that He spoke in ways that the people would understand, but with them, He was able to be more direct. Jesus met the people where they were at in their understanding and not where others thought that they should be such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Sanhedrin. Although the religious leaders were knowledgeable in matters of the Law, they were ignorant when it came to the heart of God.

We are still learning from the parables that Jesus gave during His day when we read the Word of God. They help us to understand the basic principles of the kingdom in ways that we can relate to. Sometimes, Christians can appear snobbish when it comes to explaining the Bible to new converts or nonbelievers. They can take on an attitude of superiority just as the religious leaders had done during Jesus’ day. But, how are we to be when it comes to evangelism? We are to make things simple for others to understand. We are never to put others down if they do not understand as some of us do when it comes to the Bible.

This is quite common when it comes to various Christian debates such as which version of the Bible a person should use. One person argues for only King James and another believes in using easier versions. The question can be asked, “Which version helps you to draw closer to God and is theologically sound?” Does reading a dialect that you do not understand help you in that matter, or does reading a version that simplifies words for you help you at your comprehension level? If Jesus was here on earth, what would He do? From what we understand of Jesus, by His use of numerous parables, Jesus would more than likely tell one to use a version closest to the original language, but in a translation they can understand. Not everyone has a high school or college education and/or did well in reading comprehension. Although, we are to allow the Spirit to guide our understanding, if a person could not read at all, how much could they learn from looking at the pages of any scripture presented to them? They would first have to learn the alphabet, and then learn the basic reading fundamentals. One thing Christians would be wise in knowing is that God is not judging anyone on how intellectual they are, but He is looking at hearts. Therefore, let us meet people where they are spiritually and not where we think they should be. The Bible says: “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Something to ponder….

QUESTION OF THE DAY - (16OCT19) “Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:30-32). Jesus, when describing the kingdom of Heaven, used the analogy of a mustard seed which is known to be very tiny in nature. Yet, once it is planted in good soil, its produce is large, and it enables the harvester to feed plenty or animals to find shade. It is the same way with planting seeds of the kingdom. Our job is to plant the seed, but the Lord is the One who produces the harvest. We do not have to overload anyone with information, but just a small seed is all that’s needed and expected from us as we allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. We as Christians must remind ourselves that souls are not saved based merely on us, but souls are saved because of the Holy Spirit working through us. Without the Holy Spirit, our works are in vain. Therefore, let us be mindful of this when we witness to others. Even if they do not seem to be receptive of the seed that we sow, the Holy Spirit is the only One who can change the hearts of man. Something to ponder….

MARK MOMENT – (16OCT19) “At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’” (Mark 5:30). Jesus had developed a large following. Everywhere He went, people came to be healed, listen to what He had to say, and even the spectators couldn’t avoid being curious as to what would happen next. So, when Jesus was on His way to do another miracle and He felt someone touch Him, the disciples thought that it was strange for Him to ask such a question. There was a crowd of people around touching Him from all sides, but Jesus singled out one individual amongst many. A woman, who had been bleeding for twelve years, was the guilty corporate. She had gone to numerous doctors and spent all the money she had only to have her issue get worse. During that time, a woman was considered unclean when she was having her monthly, but this woman bled constantly. She was not free to be around others or they too would be considered unclean. Yet, this woman, took her chances. She felt as if she had nothing to lose because she had been considered as unclean for twelve long years. She thought that if only she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be made well. Her faith paid off. At the moment she touched Jesus, she was healed. Jesus knew that the surge which came from Him was not from a crowd pressing against Him, but it had gone to someone who was in need of His help. Jesus took notice of the woman, and although she feared being reprimanded for what she had done, she spoke truthfully and told Him about her situation. Jesus, having compassion on her, did not scold her but blessed the woman because of her great faith.

What if we operated in the same measure of faith as this woman had. The Bible does not say if this woman had ever been married, had children, or even what caused the illness she had. Nevertheless, one can imagine that her life was anything but normal due to her ailment. There were no feminine hygiene products as we have today. She was probably at a constant state of shame because she was not able to freely be around others. If she had been married, that would have presented another set of problems in accordance to the Mosaic laws. A man was not to touch a woman who had her set of issues. Therefore, her health problems were present in all aspects of her life. Nevertheless, she gathered enough faith and courage to look beyond her situation and declare her future. How many of us can do the same? Can you look beyond your current situation and declare your future by faith? Can you stand on the promises of God even though your present situation dictates otherwise? Will you touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and speak life into your situation? You may have gone countless years with seemingly no remedy in sight, but there is a Man who can make any challenge that you are going through whole. Will you have faith that He can take your issue and make it whole once again? The Bible says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith pleases God, and He blesses us all with a measure of faith even if it is small because we are His children. How much that faith grows is up to us. Something to ponder….