The day with dianne Louise

Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Phillipines. And on the road He asked the disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They answered Him, "Hohn the Baptist; others Elijah; still others, one of the prophets." "But you," He asked them again, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered Him, "You are the Messiah!" And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him. Mark 8:27-30 Jesus asks His disciples who do men think He is. He then asks them who do they think He is. Peter answers for them, "The Messiah!" What did all Jews think the Messiah would do? Google tells me: "Orthodox Jews have generally held that the Messiah will be descended from his father through the line of King David, and will gather the Jews back into the Land of Israel, usher in an era of peace, build the third temple, father a male heir and re-institute the Sanhedrin, among other things." Well, I can see why the disciples st...

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought. A blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spat on the man's eyes. And put His hand on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I seè people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put His hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village." Mark 8:22-26 Does Jesus give you unusual orders? Does He want to heal you by unusual means? How would you handle being spat upon. Being spat upon nowadays is a sign of disgust. Was this man needing a challenge that such an act would bring? At first he could only see men walking around like trees. Now that would be weird. This man knew what a tree was, perhaps he had not al ways been blind. What was his story? Why did Jesus take him outsi...

The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding of Him a sign from heaven to test Him. But sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, "Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you: no sign will be given to this generationa," then He left them, got on board the boat again, and went to the other side. Mark 8:11-13 Incredulous! Jesus is healing people left, right and centre, setting demoniacs  free, walking on water, feeding thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. Yet here were these bigoted religious leaders wanting Him to perform for them. Jesus knew that they would not believe even if He gave them what they wanted, so He gets back on the boat and leaves only to be faced by dull disciples who still do not 'get it.' When Jesus tells them, "beware of the leven of the Pharisees," they think He is talking about bread. Wrong! What was the problem? Both groups did not think spiritually minded, both were earth bound. The Phar...

In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He summoned the disciples and said to them, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have already stated with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a long distance." The disciples answered Him, "Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people?" How many loaves do you have?" He asked them. "Seven" they said. Then He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept on giving them to the disciples to set before the people. So they served the loaves to the crowd. They also had a few small fish, and when he blessed them, He said these were to be served as well. They are and were filled. Then they collected seven large baskets of leftover pieces. About 4,000 men were there. Mark 8:1-9 When hungr...

Again, leaving the region of a Tyre, He went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee through the region of the Decapolis. They brought to Him a deaf man who also had a speech difficulty, and begged Jesus to lay hands on him. So He took him away from the crowd privately. After putting his fingers in the man's ears and spitting. He touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven,  He sighed deeply and said to him, "Ephphatha! (That is, "Be opened!"). Immediately his ears were opened, his speech difficulty was removed, and he began to speak clearly. Then  He ordered them to tell no one, but the more He would order them, the more they would proclaim it. They were extremely astonished and said, "He has done everything well!" He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!" Mark 7:31-37 Remember the demoniac back in chapter 5? Jesus is again going through his territory, the territory that the demons wanted for themselves. Now the demoniac, or ...

He got up and departed from there to the region of  Tyre and Sidon. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it, but He couldn't escape notice. Instead, immediately after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was Greek, a Syrophonecian by birth, and she kept asking Him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Allow the children to be satisfied first, because it isn't right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she replied to Him, "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then He told her, "Because of this reply, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter. When she went back home, she found her child lying on the bed and the demon had gone. Mark 7:26-30 What faith! Here was a woman who believed even a crumb of God's grace could heal her daughter. Notice this woman called Him 'Lord.' ...

He told them, "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out from a person are what defile him. (If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!") When He went into the house away from the crowd, the disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, "Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don't you realise that nothing going into a man from outside can defile him? For it doesn't go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated. (As a result she made all foods clean.) then He said, "Waht comes out of a person-defiles him. For from within, out of people's hearts, comes evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil action, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person." Mark 7:14-23    Jesus was successfully dealing with the issue around wh...

The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Him. They observed that some of His disciples were eating their bread with unclean-that is unwashed hands. (For the Pharisees, in fact all Jews, will not eat unless they wash their hands ritually, keeping the traditions of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they have washed. And there are many other customs they have received and keep, like the washing of cups, jugs, copper utensils, and dining couches.) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean hands?" Jesus answered them, "Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men." Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tra...

When he had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and beached the boat, people immediately recognised Him. They hurried throughout that vicinity and began to carry the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He would go, into the villages, towns, or country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him that they might just touch the tassel of His robe. And everyone who touched it was made well. Mark 6:53-56 Good news is just, so, so good. Knowing that just being around a man who heals would have been such a blessing. I am sure not much work was done. But the healer was present. Amen! I am typing blind again. The letters have disappeared. How weird! The people recognised Him but the disciples did not! Why? They had gone out and performed miracles themselves but something was missing! What was it? Familiarity breeds contempt!  Our hearts must stay hungry and soft! Amen!

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After He said goodbye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning He came towards them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought they had seen a ghost and cried out; for they saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, "Have courage! It is I!" Don't be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind creased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their heart were hardened. Mark 6:45-52 Why were the disciples hearts hardened? Had they been self-centered and become offended at again being required to mi...

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while." For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they w ent away in the boat by themselves to a remote place, but many saw them leaving and recognised them. People ran there by land from all towns and arrived ahead of them. So He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things. When it was already late, His disciples approached Him and said, "This place is a wilderness, and it is already late! Send them away, so they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat." "You give them something to eat," He responded. Mark 6:30-37 The disciples were tired and hungry and Jesus takes them away to a remote place to rest...

King Herod heard of this (Jesus' disciples going throughout the land preaching), because Jesus' name had become well known. Some said, John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that's why supernatural powers are at work in him." But other said, "He's Elijah." Still others said, "He's a prophet- like one of the prophets." When Herod heard of it, he said, "John, the one I beheaded has been raised." ..Herod was in awe of John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard from him he would be very  disturbed, but would hear from him gladly. Mark 6:14-16;20 Herod was a weak man who took his brother's wife for himself. John had convicted Herod of his sin but he did not repent. Herodias, Herod's new wife hated John because of this and at an opportune time asked for John's head on a platter. Herod was asked publically and could not refuse. It is odd that Herod thought John had be re...

Now He was going around the villages in a circuit, teaching. He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no travelling bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals, but put on no extra shirt. Then He said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. If any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they were driving out many demons, anointing many sick people with olive oil, and healing them. Mark 6:6b-13 This would have been a challenge to the disciples: not taking provisions and staying in the house that welcomed them, without anything of themselves. They were told to teach, preach, rebuke the demons and heal the sick. It is interesting t...

Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household." So He was not able to do any miracles there, except that He laid hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed at their unbelief. Mark 6:4-6 How our offence can keep us from divine healing is amazing. I wonder if Reinhard Bonke has the same problem, I believe he does. I have seen this man preach in Australia and very few are healed. Why? We have hard hearts full of unbelief. We have been conditioned to sickness and going to the doctors. I look in anybody's medicine cupboard and it is full of either self-medication or prescription drugs. Pharmacy is the replacement for faith. What is wrong with sitting in the presence of God and allowing Him to minister, or going to church with faith expecting a miracle? The people in Jesus' town stayed sick, rather than believe. Wouldn't it be better to repent and see a new mind? Let Christ ...

He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. "Where did this man get these things?" They said. "What is this wisdom given to Him, and how are these miracles performed by His hands? Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren't His sisters here with us?" So they were offended by Him. Mark 6:1-3 Jesus had just raised Jairus' daughter. Jairus was the leader of the synagogue of perhaps Tiberias, some 15-20kms away. Yet here, in another synagogue He is rejected because this was where He grew up. In fact the people were offended, probably jealous because He was as a common man, to them, and suddenly blessed with wisdom. Imagine having your brothers and sisters reject you. I wonder where they are all are, are they with Jesus. We know that James was the leader of the chu...

While He was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader's house and said, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?" But when Jesus overheard what was said, He told the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid. Only believe." Mark 5:35,36 Constantly we are confronted by the death of our dream, what will we do? Myself, I must go to Jesus and hear what he says. What  He says is important. Jarius, the synagogue leader, was being challenged. He had been taught sickness was a curse, a judgement for sin. He was facing the biggest challenge of his life, 'only believe'. Janus would have had Jesus teach in his synagogue. Did faith enter his heart when he heard Jesus? He was putting his reputation on the line for his daughter and Jesus. I remember a time when I had faith for my daughter. She was born into death but faith was in my heart and she lived without the judgement of the doctor. Yet when she was eight she had another issue and I had ...

At once Jesus realised in Himself that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and said, "who touched Me?" His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing against You, and You say, "Who touched Me?" So He was looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came with fear and trembling, fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. "Daughter," He said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be free from your affliction." Mark 5:30-34 We see two groups of people here: the mass or the crowd wanting to touch Jesus. They were the fan club; then there was a desperate woman needing a miracle. She had said to herself, "if I can just touch the hem of His garment, I will be well." This woman had faith. Anywhere we go we see these two groups of people: the spectators and the engaged. The spectators did not seek much, just a spectacle, yet the engaged wer...

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He would not let Him; instead, He told Him, "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you." So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for Him, and they were amazed. Mark 5:18-20 Jesus had just set the demon possessed man free and although the man so appreciated what Jesus had done for Him, Jesus would not let Him come with Him. Why? This man had a story that needed to be told and as it was told hearts would open to the gospel. As Jesus sets each one of us free we now have a task to tell our story and as we do we open hearts to Him and the gospel spreads. If we stop telling our story we become flavourless and are consumed by the world around us. We stop salting the world and then the world starts leaching us, until we are parched bones in the wilderness. If the de...

On that day, when evening had come, He told them, "Let's cross over to the other side of the sea." So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat, and other boats were with Him. A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up saying to Him, "Teacher! Don't You care we are going to die?" He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind creased and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, "Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?" And they were terrified and asked one another, "Who is this? Even the wind and sea obey Him!" Mark 4:35-41 What is your storm? Is your family in tatters because of divorce? Are your children far from the Lord? Is you son planning to marry his boyfriend? Is your daughter on drugs and you watch the life...

And He said, "How can we illustrate the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all seeds on the ground. And when sown it comes up and grows taller tag all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in it's shade." Mark 4:30-32 Isn't it just like the Lord to take something small and use it for a great purpose. A little seed that has a great tree inside of it, rather than a vegetable just to be eaten. The kingdom of God may seem small and of not much effect, but the word of God in the right soil, a receptive heart, will produce not only food but shelter. The word of God planted in my heart is food for the nations, it is also shelter for those who might come to Him, without discrimination. How can I be food? Being planted in good soil I will grow. I grow not just so all people will congratulate me, but rather be blessed by me. The word of God...

He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it to be put on a lamp stand?" For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and nothing hidden except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!" Then He said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you. For to one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." Mark 4:21-25 Today to talk about Jesus Christ has me branded as a crank, a hater of freedom but the Jesus I know was truth and life and He sets captives free. This is why I love Him. He set me free and I have seen Him set many free from darkness, insecurity, depression, disease. Who hated Jesus? The religious hated Him because He claimed to be God and able to forgive sins and set people free. Jesus Himself said He had come for those who knew they were in need of a physician. T...

Then His mother and His brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him and told Him, "Look, Your mother, Tour brother, and Your sisters are outside asking for You." Jesus replied, " Who are My mother and My brothers?" And looking about at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:31-35 If my Son said this in my earshot I would have been hurt and would wonder where I had missed it. Why do families fall out? Mostly misunderstanding on what each are meant to do and be. I wonder if Mary had the same problem that John had? He thought Jesus was to come in power and authority. Mary knew she was carrying the Son of God but did she have expectations. Did Jesus not grow up in the way she expected? Or was her problem, keeping the peace with her other children. Sibling rivalry is a major probl...

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul in Him!" And He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons!" So He summoned them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?" If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished!" On the other hand, no one can enter a strong mans house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house. I assure you: People will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemes they may blaspheme. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin- because they were saying, "He has an unclean Spirit." Mark 3:22-30 Scribes coming down from Jerusalem, in the last, may have carried more weight with their words. However, the people...

Then He went home, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. When His family heard this, they set out to restrain Him, because they said, "He's out of His mind." Mark 3:20,21 Had a vote of 'no confidence' by your family? You are not alone! Our Saviour had this, even for them to think He had lost His mind. They would have been embarrassed by His actions, His words and His beliefs. Jesus must have done a complete about face to the man they grew up with for them to now consider Him 'out of His mind.' I have had a vote of 'no confidence.' A vote of, 'she's out of her mind.' All because I have persevered down a path I believed God was leading me, business. I have not proclaimed I am the Christ, that I am a saviour of the world. Merely pursuing a path in business and fighting against all odds to succeed. I can imagine the rejection Jesus endured, by his siblings, aunts, uncles, friends and business colleagues. He fa...

Then He went up the mountain and summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him. He also appointed 12-He also named them apostles-to be with Him, to send them out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons. He appointed the Twelve: To Simon, He gave the name of Peter; And to James the son of Zebedee, and to his brother John, He gave the name "Boanerges" (that is: Sons of Thunder); Andrew; Phillip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. Mark 3:13-19 Some of these we hear of no more, one infamously so. It is interesting that Peter, James and John were the three who were closest and who received nicknames. Andrew, Peter's brother, was one of the first to join Jesus, along with his brother Peter. Yet he is not in the close three. Why not? What happened? Did he have responsibilities that distracted him, was he the eldest son who had to manage mum and dad as well as the busi...

Jesus departed with His disciples to the sea, and a large crowd followed from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him because they heard about everything He was doing. Then He told His disciples to have a small boat ready for Him, so the crowd would not crush Him. Since He had healed many, all who had diseases were pressing toward Him to touch Him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, those possessed fell down before a Him and cried out, "You are the Son of God!" And He would strongly warn them not to make Him known. Mark 3:7-12 Jesus had just had an altercation with the Pharisees because He healed a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. Now He moves away, going to the sea. It seems to be a place to go, there or the mountains. I like both and understand why He would go there. When I am in a grove of trees, let alone a forest, I sense the presence of God, as if I am with Him in the garden. He loved to meet...

Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralysed hand. In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath. He told the man with the paralysed hand, "Stand before us." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save a life or kill?" But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart, He told the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. Mark 3:1-6 Imagine you were the man with the withered hand. Finally the Son of God sees you and wants to help you but your church leaders were very rules oriented and today was the Sabbath. They were in the process of making a new rule, no healing on the Sabbath. What would Jesus do? He had you ...

On the Sabbath He was going through the grain fields, and Hus disciples began to make their way picking some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" He said to them, Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry- how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the sacred bread- which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests- and also gave some to his companions?" Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28 These words would have deeply offended the Pharisees. Imagine a man coming along to your church and saying that it is no longer necessary to take communion because he was the lord returned and now you had him in your presence communion would no longer be necessary. As a minister of the Gospel, a pastor wou...

"No one sews a patch of  unshrunken cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new patch pulls away from the old cloth,  and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wine skins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the skins. But new wine is for fresh wine skins." Mark 2:21,22 Jesus said this after defending his disciples who chose not to fast as the scribes and Pharisees did. To receive and appropriate the new life Jesus was offering the listeners had to also take a brand new mindset, a new frame of reference. In other words we must be born again, receive a new spirit and a new heart. New information can never fully be appreciated with old mindsets. We see this again and again throughout time. The old will persecute the new because the new does not fit the old frame of reference. The listeners want to judge what is heard by what they know. Now, at times what we know about scripture in judging moral behaviour is right. However,...

Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. People came and asked Him, "Why do John's disciples fast and the Pharisee's disciples fast, but Your disciples do not fast. Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast. But the time will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day." Mark 2:18-20 There was only one day that fasting was required, the Day of Atonement. However, the Pharisee's fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. Why on earth the disciples of John fasted on the same day as those John called hypocrites is beyond me. Perhaps hey fasted on different days for different reasons. Why do we fast? We fast when we believe it is time to seek the Lord for a particular purpose, a breakthrough or a desire for more of God. The times when the 'groom,' is all over us is usually not the time we feel compelled to...

While He was reclining at the table in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also guests with Jesus and His disciples, because there were many who were following him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard this, He told them, "Those who are well do not need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17 Levi was considered a sinner by the Scribes and Pharisees, yet they displayed the common human problem, they failed to recognise their own hearts. They did not see that gluttony, mistreatment of their parents, self-righteousness, pride and arrogance were sins. They were actually displaying what a lot of modern people have, they had made themselves the judge of what was right and wrong. Telling people they are sinners is offensive. There is only One who...

Then Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to Him, and He taught them. Then, moving on, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaerus sitting at the tax office and he said to him, "Follw Me," so he got up and followed Him. Mark 2:13,14 What I love, and see, is that Jesus was lead to the best places. The Spirit knew where the people had receptive hearts. Jesus said He only did what He saw His Father doing. In other words, His heart was in tune. When Jesus looked at Levi, He saw a marked man. What had the Sprit been doing in Levi's heart? Was he sitting at his desk wishing he was far away. What prayer was in his heart? Was there a: " God if you send me a sin I will give it all away!" Was there anguish and desperate longing for the more that only a relationship with the living God could provide? We see the spirit moving in a similar way. He will have us in a place, just to speak to a person. Today I attended the funeral of a man I had known for only a...

Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." He told the paralytic, "I tell you get up, pick up your mat, and go home." Immediately he got up, picked up the mat and went out in front of everyone. As a result they were astounded and gave glory to God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." Mark 2:5; 10-12 Two days ago I did an interview with a young couple. The husband was in a wheelchair, he was quadriplegic as a result of falling asleep at the wheel of his car. As I read this I think of that young man waking up in hospital knowing he had robbed his young wife of an able bodied husband. What sort of guilt would he have felt at that time? When I read about this paralytic and know the first things Jesus did was forgive his sins. What burden did he bear? Did he believe, like so many did, that he was ill because of either his sins or his parents sins? Was he a paralytic because he was involved in some crazy stunt, like...

But some of the scribes were sitting there thinking to themselves: why does He speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Right away Jesus understood in His Spirit that they were thinking like this like this within themselves and said to them, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Mark 2:6-8 Why were the scribes thinking what they were thinking? Probably because Jesus confronted their beliefs, shattered their sacred held ideas about forgiveness. In their minds only God, Yahweh, could forgive. Never had they been taught that another minister could forgive. The way they earned forgivenesss was through sacrifice, the self-effort to appease a righteous God. Have you been shattered lately? When I first became a Christian music was changing from a single organ to a band with drums. There were those who opposed the use of drums in church. For me as a young Christian, I loved the music. Then later when churches moved away from singing chorus...

When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the message to them. Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where he was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the laralytic was lying. Mark 2:1-5 It appears that Peter's home was the headquarters. Imagine the disruption. How did the family take the roof being removed to let a man down on a mat? In the world I live in, if that happened here the people who had removed the roof would have become so excited at the man's healing they would forget to repair the roof. As I put myself in the shoes of Peter's wife and household I imagine the wife wondering how she would feed all these people. Last night I had two people over to go through some D...

Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. "I am willing, "He told him, "Be made clean." Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed. Mark 1:40-42 Have you ever been so different that you have been picked on or bullied or ostracised by your community. To not have anyone willing to touch you, for fear of contamination, to live in lonely isolation all your days in hopelessness. This would have been the man's fate. The man had faith but was used to being cast out and unpitied. Yet Jesus had compassion. He not only was willing, she reached out and touched the man. Imagine how that would feel, the first touch, after years of torment.  The touch of compassion, the touch of genuine love is, so, so different. It is a well of deep, cool, refreshing water to the thirsty soul. Waves of loves washing over th...

They found Him and said, "Everyone is looking for you!" He said to them, "Let's go on to the neighbouring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come. So He went into all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Mark 1:37-39 Jesus had preached the previous day in the synagogue in Capernum, Peter and Andrew's home town. A multitude of people came to Him at their house and He healed many  and drove out demons. These people wanted Him back but He knew His message must go to all of Galilee and so went on, rather than going back. The people would contain Him and keep Him for theirselves, for basically we are selfish and when we see someone or something that will minister to our needs we hang on to them. Fortunately today we can download podcasts and watch on-line. But Jesus knew He must preach. He said, "This is why I have come."  Why am I here? Is it just to make a comfortable life for myself or to share the good n...

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. Simon and his companions went searching for Him. They found him and said, "Everyone is looking for you!" Mark 1:35-39 I wonder if this was a habit that Jesus had in place long before His coming out as the Messiah? Growing up in a large family makes space alone improbable. To seek the Father He would want space. Time with the Lord for me is something I covet and peace and quiet is best of all, with Him. The distractions of the day aren't up early, well most aren't.  When I visit my grandchildren, in summer, they are up very early, so to have my time with the Lord I have to be up earlier, before they pounce on me and want stories. Nowadays I want to have my time with the Lord before I go out to exercise, read Facebook, Twitter or emails. I don't even let my dogs know I am up, sneaky! I am so grateful that I now can access radio on ...

When evening came, after the sun set, they began bringing to Him all those who were Sick and those who were demon possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Mark 1:32-34 Imagine in a town having so many demon possessed? Why was that? Would it be the same in our towns? Possibly! Perhaps when they meet the presence of God then they manifested. Perhaps we could focus on the presence of God more, more than programme or our business? I wonder what would happen then? How interesting! The next thing that would happen would be the sick would be healed. The next thing to happen would be word spreading in the community and then freedom of souls in the community. Now, there's a thought! I am just as guilty for being busy or on my own track. My goal should be to stay in the zone of the Spirit and allow Him room. Amen! Today, here is the...

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. Mark 1:29-31 Simon had a large house, if he could accomodate Jesus, James and John, as well as Peter, his wife and mother-in-law. We are not told if he had children, he may well have. In Mark's gospel we have not yet seen Jesus heal anyone. Could he heal? Did they know? We're they willing to risk it? Jesus went to the mother-in-law and took her by the hand and raised her up. Now imagine yourself lying there miserable with the flu and someone comes and grabs your hand and drags you up. Would you be receptive? You would if faith was present, or at least a willingness to trust. Last night my head became sore, my mouth hurt from ulcers and I felt like I was coming down with a bug. I ...

Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."  News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee. Mark 1:27,28 Jesus had just cast out a demon from a man, whilst in the synagogue. Yes they were amazed, but then they began to argue. What did they argue about? That a man with a demon was in church in the first place? That the Messiah might be among them? But why argue about that, unless He did not fit with what you thought He should be like? When God chooses to move among us, it will not be textbook style, He may even disrupt our peace, our order. He may even cause things to happen that we would want to control. Because of the extremes that some experience control is the order of the day. But, what if it wasn't weird people doing the manifesting, unless a demon was involved, but in fact it was God. What now? How many people...

Then they went to Capernum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority. Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, "what have you to do with us, Jesus-Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him and said, "be quiet, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Mark 1:21-26 Jesus had just chosen 4 disciples, and chosen His headquarters-Capernum. This was where Andrew and Simon Peter came from. We know Peter was married, perhaps Jesus stayed with Peter. The next day was the Sabbath. Jesus goes to the temple and begins to preach, like one who has authority, then He demonstrated His authority but casting out an unclean spirit. It is interesting that the demon recognised him and...

As He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. "Follow Me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fishers for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little father He saw James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in their boats mending their nets. Immediately as He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him. Mark 1:16-20 Jesus begins to collect His disciples, He is ready to impart the Kingdom to these young men and show them how the Father loved His people and wanted to reach them. Jesus grew up in Cana, around 10 kilometres from the Sea of Galilee. Did he know these men? did his family go to the Sea of Galilee for outings, did they meet on the annual treck to Jerusalem? Or were they complete strangers? These men were the core group of the disciples.mwhat mad...

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!" Mark 1:14,15 I would like to propose a new thought, for me at least. The previous verses were about Jesus being in the wilderness being tempted. There are times when God wants me in a wilderness, usually loneliness. As I love my family these times are devoid of them, it is as if, for them, I do not exist. Now, I am well aware that this is not necessarily the case, they are probably busy with their own lives. This weekend is one of those times and I knew God wanted to do business with me. I said, "as long as I receive gold." Gold for me is a treasure I am seeking God for, usually to do with people or breakthrough. Today as I climbed my hill with my dogs and paints I asked for those who were suicidal. I want authority to minister to these people and see them come through to Christ. This is g...

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. As soon as He came out of the water, He saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are My beloved Son, I take delight in You." Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the Angels began to serve Him. Mark 1:9-13 Jesus. Amen to be baptised, around 60 miles on foot. As soon as He came out of the water the Holy Spirit and the Father show up and fill Him and endorse Him, but then the Holy Spirit drives Him into the wilderness. This word 'drove' is a very strong word usually used for driving out demons. In other words Jesus did not have much of an option. The wilderness was where He must be to redeem history. The children of Israel who up to this time was the only 'son' of God, failed miserably in the wilderness...

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepared the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. John came baptising in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was preaching"Someone more powerful than I will come after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals. I have baptised you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:1-3; 7,8 This is the way God works: He promises what He will do; He always goes before and prepares the way, He speaks well of us and gives a good report. What a promise! My challenge is to believe, trust and follow. I have to reign in impatience  and frustration. These two have to do with my expectations and my timing. He is good at what He does, I must be good at doing my part, then it all work...

All of his powerful and magnificent accomplishments and the detailed account of Mordecai's great rank to which the king had honoured him, have they not been written in the Historical Records of the King of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahaserus, famous among the Jews, and highly popular with many of his relatives. He continued o seek good for his people and to speak for the welfare of all his descendants. Esther 10: 2,3 Mordecai sound like Joseph. From oblivion to second in command. Is not God able to promote? Can you trust His timing?  Th only problem I see is my own impatience. When it manifests it needs a chat: " now soul, wait for the Lord, trust Him, He will not delay to come. Submit to patience and be made ready for the day." I have a long weekend to myself. Part of me wants people in it but I must grow inside, ready to hold glory. I want my God's kingdom more than anything else, more than my own desires. Therefore I am back in boot ...

Mordecai went from the king's presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen.mthe city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy and honour. In every province and every city, wherever the king's command and his law reached, joy and rejoicing took place among the Jews.mthere was a celebration and a holiday.mand many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them. Esther 8:15-17 What a change! One minute the Jews were in fear of extermination, the next those who would have killed them were now in fear of retribution, so much so,mthe too became Jews, even if in name only. What can God do for a people He loves and shows favour to? We can trust him to go before us, to redeem us and make a way for us. Amen! Wait expectantly for the Lord! Amen!

That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. The king remover the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman's estate. Esther 8:1 Haman's estate must have been significant as Haman had offered the king 375 tons of silver for the extermination of the Jews. Isn't it amazing that God honoured Mordecai. He was a humble exile who sat in the king's gates and now he was a powerful landowner. The Lord is looking for someone whom He may pour out His favour, He is looking for a heart that is His. An outpouring is coming. This morning. I have interceding for my city. I see an outpouring of the a Holy Spirit and souls coming by the thousands, to Him. The city has a purpose built Entertainment centre, ready for the thousands that are coming. The enemy thought he had the city but...

The king and Haman came to feast with Esther the Queen. Once again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done." Queen Esther answered, "If I have obtained your approval, my king, and if the king is pleased, spare my life- this is my request; spare my people-this is my desire. For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn't be worth burdening the king." King Ahaserus spoke up and asked Queèn Esther, "Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?" Esther answered, "the adversary and enemy is this evil man Haman." Haman stood terrorised before the king and queen. Esther 7:1-6 Notice Esther called Haman evil and evil he was, but now she was embolden by Asher...

The king asked, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman was just entering the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him, The Kings attendants answered him, "Haman is there, standing in the court." "Have him enter," the king commanded. Haman entered, and the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king wants to honour?" Haman thought to himself, "Who is it the king would want to honour more than me?" Esther 6:4-6 Haman thought more highly of himself than he should have. The reply he gives to the king, in how to bless the man the king wants to honour, is one he wants for himself. Unfortunately Haman's pride is about to bring him down. The honour he recommends is given to the man he hates and worse still he is humbled in having to be a part of it. He is humbled to having to dress his enemy in the Kings robes and crown and lead him through the city crying this is the man the ...

That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the king's entrance, they were planning the assassinate King Ahaserus's. The king inquired, "What honour and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this act?" The king's personal attendants  replied, "Nothing has been done for him." Esther 6:1-3 God was in control then just as He is now. Evil men plot our downfall but God is planning our honour. We need not fear evil men but instead fear the Lord. He alone is God and will lift us up. Amen! We often fail to confront or fail to speak up because of the fear of "what will others think!" We should be more worried by what out a God thinks. This morning I was thinking that it was quiet on the debate on same-sex marriage when a gay friend posted that a certain 'Auss...

On the third day, Esther dressed up in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. As soôn as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. The king extended the gold sceptre in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. "What is it, Queen Esther?" the king asked her, "Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you." Esther 5:1-3 Esther had been afraid to go to the king. However, she and all her people fasted for three days and then she went. She had not been summoned to the king for over a month and the law prohibited her going to him unless he called her, on pain of death. This fear must have been very real. She had probably seen many die this way. Yet Gkd was on her side, she was about His work. What is it you fear? Who is it you fear? Is God not able to protect y...

Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, "Don't think you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king's palace. If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this." Esther 4:13,14 There are times when the Christian needs to confront sin and not stay silent. As most people don't like to confront many hide away and say nothing. Fear is in control. Fear of man, fear of persecution, fear of failure are but a few. Right now we are facing gross injustice and outrageous immorality. Same sex marriage is just the beginning. Already transgenders are lining up to be next. Laws are being passes that make it imperative that children are taught all forms of foul doctrines in the name of 'right' and 'just.' Even in government someone has to die...

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned of Mordecai's ethnic identity, Haman decided not to do away with Mordecai alone. He planned to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout Ahaserus's Kingdom. Esther 3:5,6 What a horrible man Haman was. He was an Agagite, a descendant of the people asking Saul was supposed to have destroyed. It is possible that Haman was from Saul's line. Whatever the reason Mordecai recognised Haman for what he was and did not respect him. It is unfortunate that Mordecai chose not to respect Haman and cause all of his people to be marked for slaughter. However, we do not know hat this was not a God thing, His plan to show Himself strong for His people, do a work in the king's heart and bring Ester to maturity in who she really was. Esther represents many Christians, and myself at times. We fail to stand up for who we are. At present the same sex debate is c...

And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for me need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied...... Philippians 4:15-18 How good it is to have people who care about your needs. Now, more than ever, there are so many needs, or perhaps there always were but now they are organised in knowing to ask for help. I find the best blessing follows when I am impressed by the Lord to give. When I look around my home and recognise all that has been given to me and I did not buy. I treasure all that I have been given because I know where it came from. I am sure Paul felt like this. Gifts given by people motivated by God are just the best. The Philippians have a heart to give and perhaps they are ...