Bible Chapter: Mark 5
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
It must have been amazing to travel with Jesus. The list of stories goes on and on about how He healed and set people free. There were large crowds that followed. Mark 5 starts out with delivering a man possessed by many demons. We see the power of Jesus as there wasn’t a struggle, the demons had to do what He said. This should help our fear and doubts of what Jesus can do. This man was well-known for his evil and destructive behavior. I would think the local people would have been happy to see something good happen, but they pleaded with Jesus to leave. The man wanted to go with Jesus but He told him it was more important to return home and tell of what Jesus had done. People need to hear testimonies of God’s power. That should speak to me to be always ready to talk about what God is doing. One of the most powerful words is the real and current testimony of what God is doing.
This chapter gives another encouragement for believers to have faith. Jesus told the father of a dead girl, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Wow, Jesus is not afraid to take on the hard issues. Fear commonly causes people to not step out in faith. But, we need to continually step out in faith. This is what the woman who had been ill for twelve years did. She reached out to Jesus and He healed her. Reach out to Jesus and believe for miracles.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I need to keep filling my mind and heart with the truths of God’s Word that tell me of the impossible things God continually does. I need to continue reading the modern testimonies of the supernatural. I need to continue to expect God to intervene here where I live. Most people have faith that God will do the supernatural somewhere else, but not where they are. My faith needs to be local, as well and international. Step out in faith. Faith must be applied in the life of every believer. Even if a person only has a little faith, they need to use what they have and watch it grow.
3. How can I help someone?
Encourage people that Jesus is real and ready today to help. Mark 5 included both people who doubted and those who believed. Jesus didn’t ask the woman who touched Him what her theology was, He healed her as she reached out in faith. I can help people see who Jesus really is. They will never be the same after they have genuine contact with Jesus.
Bible Chapter: Mark 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God loves everyone and desires their salvation. There is an astounding battle to prevent people from receiving this gift from God. Even as the Gospel is preached and people respond, not all will follow through and live a dedicated Christian life. Some of the seed will bring results that do not last. Other seed produces a large spiritual crop.
Salvation comes through the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit. While salvation is a free gift from God, there is a cost to follow Jesus. The Bible talks about counting the cost. There must be a heart change that makes Jesus the Lord, Master and Controller of life. True salvation comes through the convincing work of the Holy Spirit. A genuine heart conversion is required. The battle for the soul doesn’t end when a person prays a prayer of repentance. When the real pull and temptation of Satan comes, many fall away. We also deal with the issue of worldly concerns, riches and pleasure. The Bible says the love of money is the root of evil. We also live in a world that worships pleasure. If it is not fun, I don’t want any part of it. This mentality has drifted to the church world. We have to entertain to get a crowd. That should not be. The power and presence of God is more than enough.
This chapter gives another potent example of the power of God and His call for us to have faith in Him. They were in a boat on the water. As happens there often, a powerful storm came up and they were afraid they would sink. Jesus had to be awakened by the disciples (we can see how worried He was). He simply spoke the words and the storm stopped, to the amazement of the disciples. Jesus asked them why they were afraid and then said, “Do you still have no faith?” Over and over in the life of Jesus we are challenged to have faith in Him for anything.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Even those who have been saved need to continue to grow in their understanding of the gift of eternal life Jesus offers. While it is a simple act of faith to receive the gift from God, it is also much more. It requires belief and then spiritual growth. In the growth people must give control to the Lord. There will be issues we all deal with to pull us away and cause confusion. Material possessions and pleasures will always be put before us to pull us away. Cares and problems will interfere. Growth spiritually must continue continually.
I also need to continue to stretch in faith. Fear is so easy to come in and hinder. Give God control and let Him deal with the challenges. It is interesting that Jesus asked the disciples if they had any faith when the literal storm was large. That lake has a history of bad storms coming up quickly. It is a large and deep lake. The disciples were experienced in what could happen and yet Jesus asked why they were concerned. Where is your faith? It is a good question to ponder.
3. How can I help someone?
As I am reading this chapter and writing this, I am challenged to pray more for the spiritual eyes, the spiritual understanding of people to be opened. The more I think about it the more I am amazed at how spiritually blinded people are. So many truths should be so obvious and yet people just stumble through life not able to see what is right in front of them. I can help people by interceding for them to hear and respond to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Bible Chapter: Mark 3
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
One day Jesus went to a synagogue and met something that became a familiar sight: religious folks looking for a way to accuse Him. They were always out to find ways to attack Him and cause people to reject Him. That became routine. It is still routine. It is interesting today that people are trying to pass laws that forbid praying in Jesus’ name. I think it is interesting that Mark identifies Jesus’ reply as anger and deep distress at their stubborn hearts.
Jesus was angry at their sinful hearts. He hates sin. We will never see any more love wrapped up in anyone than Jesus. At the same time, He absolutely hated and hates sin. The sinful hearts of these religious folks actually caused them to say that Jesus shouldn’t heal a crippled hand on the Sabbath. Their religious rules were more important to them than human need. Jesus was angry at that attitude, ignored their selfishness and healed the man.
Another part of this chapter shows another accusation against Jesus. Jesus was driving demons out of people. The teachers of the law said He did it through the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus’ response is an important lesson for the church today.
The response was that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out demons, then his kingdom would fall. Unity is required for strength. We must be very aware of this truth today and not allow anything to cause dissension in the church body. I love the old statement: we will have unity around here even if we have to fight to keep it. It is the enemy who continues to point out minor things that frustrate believers and cause problems. We must continually reject anything that causes problems.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I need to continue to study the Bible to grasp the truths and principles God wants me to know and live. I need to separate them from religious traditions (and they are not all bad). Bible teaching must continue to be the foundation for daily life. This will help keep sin away. I also need to hate sin and the destruction it does to people.
Verse 35 has an interesting thought to apply. Jesus was told that His family was outside waiting for Him. Mark quoted Jesus as He said that whoever does God’s will is His family. That’s an insightful comment. Jesus puts doing God’s will very high on the list of what is important. That speaks to me to continually seek to find God’s will and then do it. God’s will is clearly found through obedience to the commands of the scriptures. It is also found in digging deep to hear the voice of God for me individually. Striving to hear and obey God’s will is a top priority.
3. How can I help someone?
There is so much confusion about who Jesus is. People want to define Him in their own ways. The religious folk did that 2,000 years ago and people still do that today. “I’m not going to believe in a God who . . . .” I can help people to see who Jesus really is and why He is like that. We are better off because Jesus is the way He is. He is against sin because of what it does to people. Jesus was filled with compassion and healed and delivered people. He does the same today.
Bible Chapter: Mark 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The awesomeness of being with Jesus! That jumps out in reading this chapter. The people crowded in wherever Jesus went. They did this because He was healing and delivering people. They had never seen anything like this. Jesus showed that He not only had power to heal, but to forgive, as well. Guilt and remorse from participating in sin are rampant in the human race and they are hard taskmasters. Humans don’t have the power to overcome them, but Jesus does.
There are an interesting two words in v. 14. Jesus, speaking to Levi, simply said “Follow me.” And, he did. Levi got up from his work and began to follow Jesus. It makes me think of what happens when people really do follow Jesus. In the next paragraph we see that Jesus was Levi’s house and their dinner was attended by “sinners”. The religious folks were upset at who Jesus spent time with. Jesus showed His priority by responding that healthy people don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. Those who have been delivered from the power of sin don’t need salvation, but sinners desperately do. Jesus reached out to those in need, because their need was so desperate. Following Jesus might upset the religious people, but it meets the real needs people have.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Jesus taught about fasting. This is never any fun. I find it interesting that we have been influenced to think that serving Jesus should be all about having fun. Fasting and prayer is one of the spiritual weapons God gives us to show His power. He said that He expects us to fast. I know this is a battle because I can miss a meal and it often doesn’t matter. However, whenever I fast I’m hungry, and it seems like it’s not that big of a deal to eat, because I’m really hungry. If I don’t eat I’ll probably get sick or something.
God gave us the Sabbath. This is a regular time of rest and spiritual refreshing. It is a time of spiritual renewal. Our culture has basically abandoned the Sabbath rest and refreshing. Sunday is like any other day of the week. And, we are busier and more worn out than ever. Christians absolutely must consider the rest and give God His day. We need the time of spiritual encouragement, Christian fellowship, teaching and change that comes from giving God this one day a week. And, we shouldn’t simply rush to church and then run all over doing hundreds of other things. The Lord’s Day really needs to be HIS day. We need rest, we need change, we need refreshing. Rest renews our minds, souls and bodies.
3. How can I help someone?
I need to see people as people. I must not look at who can help me or make life better and only reach out to befriend those folks. I need to see the needs people have and know that Jesus reached out to all the people around Him, even the unpopular ones. Like the friends who didn’t let anything deter them from getting the paralyzed person to Jesus, I need to not let anything hinder me from showing Jesus to those in need.
Bible Chapter: Mark 1
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Mark is the shortest and most succinct of the gospels and may have been the first gospel written. Mark did not cover the birth or childhood of Jesus, but started out with Him as an adult at the beginning of His ministry. This book covers much of what Jesus did and not as much of His teachings.
Chapter one starts out with John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism. John was in the desert region preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was telling that Jesus would come.
After His baptism, Jesus went to the wilderness for a period of temptations. After the temptation, Jesus began to gather His disciples who would follow Him during the next three years. Jesus preached repentance for the time that had been promised throughout the Old Testament was come. He would fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah. The temptation of Jesus was real and powerful. That is encouraging to remember that He knows what we go through.
Mark told of Jesus going to Capernaum and meeting a demon-possessed man. He commanded the demon to leave. The people were amazed at the authority Jesus had. They questioned how it was that the evil spirits listened to and obeyed Jesus.
Jesus went to Simon and Andrew’s house where the crowds followed. He healed many and delivered many of being possessed by evil spirits. News was quickly spreading about what was happening. I can imagine how word spread through those small towns. People were excited. Some were coming to see a show. Some were coming to see the power of God help people. When God’s power is somewhere, people are drawn.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The power and authority of Jesus. Since Jesus never changes, neither does His power and authority. Jesus gave a good example to show us that He went away to pray. I need to continue to remind myself of how important this is. Simon and some others found Jesus and said everyone was looking for Him. Jesus said they should go through the villages of Galilee and preach. Jesus did that and healed and delivered many people. I need to hear from God and then do what He says.
3. How can I help someone?
I can help people to see Jesus, that He never changes. I think of the words of the song, “I’ve just seen Jesus, and I’ll never be the same again”. That is true for everyone who really meets Him.
OVERVIEW OF MARK
Bible Book: Mark
Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.
Author: Mark
Type of Book: Gospel
Theme: Jesus: Miracle Worker, Suffering Servant and Son of God
Date of Writing: A.D. 55-65
Background
Among the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)—the narrative accounts of the “good news” (i.e., gospel) of Jesus Christ—Mark is the shortest (but at the same time very complete) account of “the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). Although the author is not identified by name in the book itself (this is true of all the Gospels), the testimony most agreed upon by the church throughout its history has been that John Mark was responsible for its writing. This man grew up in Jerusalem. His mother’s house had served as a meeting place for early believers (Ac 12:12), and he was among the first-generation Christians. He had the unique opportunity of ministering with three NT apostles (i.e., pioneer leaders of the early church): Paul (Ac 13:1-13; Col 4:10; Phm 1:24), Barnabas (Ac 15:39) and Peter (1Pe 5:13; see Ac 14:4, note on “apostles”). According to Papias (c. A.D. 130) and other second-century church leaders and historians, Mark got most of the information for his Gospel from his association with Peter (one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a leader of the original church in Jerusalem). Mark wrote the narrative (historical account of the true story of what happened in, to and through the life of Jesus Christ) in Rome and focused particularly on communicating with the Roman Christians. Although the specific date for the writing of Mark’s Gospel is uncertain, most scholars date it in the late 50s or the 60s. It may have been the first of the four Gospels to be written.
Purpose
In the 60s of the first century A.D., the general public in Rome treated the Christians cruelly, and many were tortured and killed by the Roman Emperor Nero. According to tradition, the early church leaders, Peter and Paul, were among the Christian martyrs (i.e., those who were killed for their faith in Christ) in Rome during this decade. As one of the church leaders in Rome, John Mark was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about Jesus’ life in anticipation of, or as a response to, this time of persecution. By recounting Jesus’ example of power and suffering, death and resurrection, no doubt Mark strengthened and encouraged faith in Jesus’ followers in Rome and inspired courage in those who were suffering for their faith.
Survey
In a fast-moving description of events, Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God who filled the roles of both a suffering servant and the spiritual Savior of the world. That is to say, Mark’s message strongly focused on Jesus’ humanity and his divinity (i.e., the fact that he is God). The climax (i.e., highest point or most important event, after which the narrative moves quickly toward its end) of the book is an episode in Caesarea Philippi, followed by the transfiguration (see 8:27-9:10 for a defining description of these events). At this point, Jesus fully confirms to the disciples his identity as the Christ (i.e., the Messiah, Savior) and fully reveals his mission to give his life for us. The first half of Mark focuses primarily on Jesus’ powerful miracles and on his authority over sickness and demons as signs that God’s kingdom was near. This means that his power, purposes and way of life on earth were fully in progress and proceeding according to God’s perfect plan. At Caesarea Philippi, however, Jesus tells his disciples openly that he “must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (8:31). There are many references throughout Mark to suffering as the cost of following Christ (e.g., 3:21-22, 30; 8:34-38; 10:30, 33-34, 45; 13:8, 11-13). In God’s kingdom, however, suffering for Christ will, in the end, lead to freedom and victory, as shown in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Special Features
Four major features characterize Mark’s Gospel: (1) It is a Gospel of action, putting more emphasis on what Jesus did than on what he said. Mark records eighteen miracles but only four of his parables (short word pictures that teach a lesson or make a specific point), not including parable-type statements. (2) It is a Gospel especially written for the Romans—explaining Jewish customs, omitting all Jewish genealogies (i.e., family histories) and birth stories, translating Aramaic words and using Latin terms. (3) It is a Gospel that begins abruptly and moves rapidly from one episode to another, often making transitions using the Greek term for “immediately” (42 times). (4) It is a Gospel of clear and lively images and descriptions that report the events of Jesus’ life with the direct, brief, complete and artistic style of a skilled writer.
Giving credit where credit is due. These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible. Don Stamps, editor. Originally published by Life Publishers.
Bible Chapter: Matthew 28
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
This last chapter of Matthew starts out with the resurrection. Exciting. I can’t imagine what it was like to be there that day. This is one of the key events in all of history. At first they were very sad, thinking someone had taken the body of Jesus away. Then, the amazing realization that He was not dead any more. It was overwhelming. Jesus was dead, they saw Him die. But, no longer. He was no longer dead. They scattered to spread the word. I’m sure they were met with much skepticism. God sent an angel to let them know of the resurrection and assure them it was true. He is NOT HERE, He is RISEN. Awesome!! Because Jesus lives we have eternal life. The excitement of the resurrection is not limited to Easter Sunday morning.
The forces of evil are always on the scene to try to mess things up. They spread a lie that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Money was used to spread the story. For every powerful truth there is a counterfeit. Sadly, today some people still believe the lie. This steals the blessings of this miracle.
Matthew ends with what is called The Great Commission. It is the command to make disciples of Jesus. A disciple is a learner. It is the responsibility of believers to help people learn of Jesus, to be students of His, that they will grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. Make disciples. That is the command that makes the difference. Beyond seeing people converted to Jesus, people are to become disciples so they will observe His commands. Another of Satan’s lies these days is that it is a bad thing to proselytize. Yet, if people don’t hear about Jesus and become a believer, they miss the blessings of being forgiven, having God’s hope in their hearts and living forever in Heaven.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I must work to be the strongest disciple I can be for Jesus. That means that I must continue to learn, continue to study. No matter how much I know, there is always more to grasp about God and more changes for Him to make in my life. He is infinite, so there will always be more for our finite minds to grasp. Study, learn, apply.
I must also apply the reality of the resurrection to daily life. When it seems like the issues of life are going to overwhelm, I must remember that Jesus conquered death. If He can handle that, He can handle anything. Jesus has all authority and He has promised to always be with us.
3. How can I help someone?
I can help others by being a disciple so they can see Jesus. I can let the victory of the resurrection live in my life so that people can see it really does make a difference.
