The day with dianne Louise

This (prayer) is good, and it pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself- a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 1Tim 2:3-6 Prayer pleases God! Why does not more get done? Preoccupation with self? Marching to a different drum? Another Lord? Whatever the reason, more could be done! Amen! We can be more concerned with how we feel: lonely, lost, tired, angry, anxious, and he list goes one. Yet, if we stilled all the noise and sought Him, all this would not matter, nothing would matter but Him! And then..... Prayer would come out of a heart that is in sync with His!  For there is only One answer! Jesus, His name! One God, One mediator. Amen!

First of all, then, I urge that prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to ithe knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4 This verse comes after the verses 1:18, 20 referring to two men who Paul cites as having shipwrecked their faith through blasphemy.  Over the past week one of our politicians is being viciously attacked in the media because she did something wrong. She used tax payers money to hire a helicopter to go to a wedding. This woman would probably be in her early 70s and is a strong woman with good sound beliefs but we see her become, perhaps, slack with what is hers to use and be found out. I am praying for mercy for this woman because she is a good politician but made an error of judgement.  I need grace in all I do as a business owner an...

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophesies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, having faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. Hymenaneaus and Alexander are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. 1Tim 1:18-20 First we see Timothy called, 'my son,' by Paul. Timothy earned this as he was not Paul's natural son as Paul was a single man. Timothy was a son in the faith, he looked to Paul as a father in the faith. He did this well and Paul was blessed by him. Elsewhere we read that Paul could trust Timothy as he sent him to the Philippians : 'as I have no one else who was like minded who will genuinely care for your interests.' Next Paul urges Timothy to remember the prophesy over his life so that by them he may strongly engage in battle. Have you received a prophesy? I have, seve...

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1Tim1:17 Paul had had a revelation of God, Of the fact that Jesus was his king. On this basis he became an apostle, a preacher and teacher of the gospel of hope. It is only because of the eternal king I am what I am. He has redeemed me, spoken over me a future and hope. Because of Him, I am whole, blessed and filled with future vision. Amen! Without the authority of a living God I am nothing, yet He lives, and because He lives, I live. I am held together by Him! Amen!

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry- one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. I Tim 1:12-14 Isn't it interesting that the Lord strengthened Paul because He considered him faithful and went further to appoint him to ministry. I heard a very good message today by Chris Vallortan (I hope that is how his name is spelt) from Bethel, a very funny message but a good one nonetheless. He talked about Paul and how he believed Paul was an ancient ISIS as he is supposed to have killed or jailed around 10,000 people. Now, when it is out in that context he was a bad dude. However, God chose to redeem him. I wonder who was praying for Paul? Someone or a lot of someone's were. Yet Paul was totally transformed and re...

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and the sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever else that is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusts to me. 1Tim 1:8-11 It is interesting to note adulterers are coupled with perverts, would one who breaks their marriage covenant see themselves as this? Not today! Would liars see themselves coupled with slave traders? No! But here both of these are listed in sinful behaviour, in fact: irreligious and ungodly behaviour. What do we do with this revelation? Do we sit and let it speak to our spirits or throw it off as useless and irrelevant teaching? In my business I am having to deal with the anger of clients requested to provide a lot...

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work- which is faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. I Tim 1:3-7 When we are puffed up in ourselves we love to talk about theories rather than live in faith towards God. If you find yourself inactive and drawn more to sitting around talking, time for a check up from the neck up. For a few years my mother and my brother and his wife lived out in the western suburbs of Sydney. My mum loved to go to a certain shopping centre and there, almost every day, you would find a group of men,...

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on the sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:17,18 Jesus did not qualify His statement with, ' the brightest stars,' the ones out front.' He said all those who believe. The criteria is believe. Remember the prayer of the man with the fitting child, he said, "I believe, Lord help my unbelief!" Jesus heard his prayer and answered it. He did not judge him further but helped his unbelief. We can be honest and pray such a prayer. The ones who do great exploits are those who dare to believe. He is waiting! Dare! Amen!

Paul, An apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope. To Timothy my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Tm 1:1,2 Paul was an apostle by the command of God. He was sent to proclaim, establish, preach, teach, admonish believers. Timothy is a convert who is a faithful son to Paul. In other words he listens, hears, obeys. Paul can trust Timothy to perform a task he was sent to Ephesus to do, counter false teaching and supporting the truth taught by Paul. We see two designations here. Paul the apostle and Timothy the faithful son. Both are necessary and both work well together. What am I? Am I faithful in what I have been given? Where will this lead me?

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his work by signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:20 God confirms His word as we share it, inviting and expecting Him to be involved.   He is keen for all to know His Son. His Son bring light to dark places, opens blind eyes and deaf ears. If, instead, we allow out external circumstances to dictate to us then what value is there in being a Christian? His word bring life, his power raises us. Amen!

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 Jesus finished what we came to accomplish. It took Him around 33 years but He went home victorious. He never yielded to temptation, He conquered the grave, overcame our enemy and led the captives to glory. Amen! Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father. This tells me He has high favour. He is to receive high praise! We, likewise have been sent with a task. What is yours? When you go home you will receive a welcome and a well done. Stay faithful! Finish the task! Win the victory! Amen! Eternity awaits!

"Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16 There are no alternatives such as: I was as good as I  could be; my dad was a preacher; I went to church; I gave half of everything I had to the poor; I was involved in a lot of projects that helped the planet be a better place; I loved my wife and kids and was faithful to them. Jesus said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me." The Father is interested in what we did with the free gift His Son gave us: eternal life. The sacrifice of His own Son counts a lot to God. No amount of good deeds is enough because by insisting that they are we are putting our own deeds above the life of a sinless man. We must change our hearts, ask Hesus in as Lord and Saviour, then eternal life is ours. Amen!

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating and rebuked them for their unbelief and stubborn refusal to accept the testimony of those Who had seen Him after He had risen. Then He said to them, "Go into all the word and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16: 14,15 Do you know that a lot of good can be come by around the meal table. This past week I needed to have a team meeting and solve a few things. Fellowship is a good place to start, providing of course that I the leader starts with a good attitude. I set the tone. It was a success. I made soup and one of the girls brought a crispy loaf of bread and fresh butter. We had a good time together. The biggest problem I have had with the staff is the lack of team effort. I think I found a way. Today I am in Brisbane and lo and behold my son had a similar problem with three of his sons. They were fighting over a game and so he sat them down and talked about team playing. He then proceeded to play with them to s...

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and told those who been with Him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that Mary had seen Him, they did not believe it. Mark 16:9-11 Why did Jesus appear to Mary first? Was it because she had anointed Him for burial and loved and appreciated Him deeply? We know Jesus loved John, why not John? Did Mary have something the others didn't? Mary went to the tomb with the other women, she was unafraid, or perhaps was but lay it aside. Those who are forgiven much love much. Mary had been set free from demonic possession and given new life. What gratitude would she have? The others refused to believe Mary? Was it because she was a woman? No! There were two men walking down a road and Jesus appeared to them, they ran back with a report of Jesus being alive, and the others did not believe them. They were filled with gri...

When the Sabbath was over, "Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?" Mark 16:1-3 Where were the men? Were they in shock, grief? Were they processing the words that Jesus spoke? Were they in prayer? It is interesting that the women went to the tomb not knowing how they would get it, not afraid of the soldiers, the Pharisees, the Romans. In true womanly ways these women set out without a plan to enter the tomb, they just went. What made them go? Love! Adoration! Respect! Honour! As my God does for me, another woman, He meets me there or sends a servant to provide. How considerate! The love in the women overcame their grief and fear and compelled them to go. We must allow love in us to compel us to go. Today I travel to Brisb...

When it was already evening, because it was preparation day ( that is, the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the Kingdom of God, came and boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body, Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. When he found out from the centurion he had already died, he gave the corpse to Jospeh. Mark 15:42-45 Jospeh was not intimidated by the unbelieving members of the Sanhedrin, he went in boldly and asked for Jesus' body. It is interesting that Jesus was now referred to as a corpse. Isn't it amazing how many can write off as dead, something that is in dormant mode. Jesus body was lifeless but his spirit was active and setting free claptives held from the dawn of time.  Can you see Him going up to Adam and the joy of them meeting again? Adam had fellowship with God in the garden. No one else had ha...

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, Lema sabachthani?" Which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Then Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. Mark 15:33,34;37,38 Darkness represented judgement. The Lord's presence had been removed. This is why Jesus cried out. I wonder if, when the Christians are removed from the earth and judgement begins, what that will be like. What would it be like to not have God's presence in out lives?  The tearing of the curtain temple meant the Old had passed away. No longer was there a wall between God and His people. The difference of judgement and acceptance was here. I wonder if the saying: 'it is always darkest before the dawn,' applies here. The hardest time for Jesus was the last three hours when the Father turn...

They (the Roman guards) forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots fro them to decide what each would get. Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. The inscription of the charge written against Him was: The King of The Jews. They crucified two criminals with Him, one on his right and one on His left. (So the scripture was fulfilled that says: 'and He was counted among outlaws.') Mak 15:21-28 Have you ever noticed that a lot of detail was know about the man who was forced to carry Jesus' cross. Mark would have had to have been able to meet Simon again at a later time. We have not heard about him before but the fact that this gospel was written later could account for the fac...

Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 15:13 Willing to gratify the crowd? Why was Pilate so willing? What did they have on him? Was it fear of losing his position? Can we be so fearful that we allow an innocent person to be handed over to ruthless men to be destroyed.  I am sure this decision is being made constantly throughout the world right now. Parents are handing over precious children to be sex slaves for money. I read of one mother that allowed her baby girl to be sexually assaulted for money, the babies screams she pretended was the wind. Have mercy Lord! How would that dear child grow up, would it grow up? Can we be so fearful of our own life that we betray friends and family to Islamic militants. How can we live with ourselves after having betrayed others. I think a Judas had this problem. He did come to his senses but chose to end his life in suicide. If you have betr...

At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?" For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. Mark 15:6-11 The crowd wanted something from Pilate, I wonder if they even thought about who they would ask for. The chief priests were quick to use the request to cement Jesus' fate. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but the chief priests wanted Him gone. Isn't envy ugly and so patently obvious to everyone but the ones who are trapped by it. Pilate could see the envy, they couldn't or wouldn't. The chief priests stirred up the crowd to d...

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it." And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. Then Pilate questioned Him again, "Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they accuse You of!" But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:1-5 The chief priests were satisfied with themselves, they had a plan and so far, it was working. Isn't it amazing we can be so wrong and feel so right, just because no one opposes us. Taking Jesus to Pilate was the next step, they wanted to crucify Jesus like a criminal. They were going to show everyone they were right. How dare this upstart presume to be their Messiah! Things would be just as they planned, just as decreed they should be, dull and bori...

While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You were also with that Nazarene, Jesus!" Mark 14:66,67 I wonder what the servant girl hoped to achieve? Did she feel important pointing Peter out? Was she wanting to show her employer how observant she was? Was she being a troublemaker? Or just a busybody? If she hope to impress the crowd, mostly men, If she was young, I could imagine it would to to get attention. Peter, for the first time in his life perhaps, did not want to be noticed. Isn't it hard to suddenly go unnoticed when you are the lead voice in every group. People are so use to you outspoken nature they come to expect it. Needless to say, Peter had drawn attention to himself before this night and now it was working against him. Peter would have been greatly distressed and frightened. For it was he who cut off the servants ear. This could have been a problem for h...

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but they could find none. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against a you?" But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned him, "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blesßd One?" "I am," said Jesus, "and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:55-57;60-62 The Jews had been waiting and longing for their Messiah, He comes and saves many, heals many and challenges hypocrisy in the leaders. Because their hearts were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, they wanted Him dead. So when they received what they wanted, they destroyed it. If we, sinful flesh, are God's...

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss, " he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." So when he came he came right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!"- and kissed Him. Then they took hold of him and arrested Him. Mark 14:43-46 The pain of having one of the Twelve betray Him would have been huge for Jesus. Imagine the pain for the other eleven. They did not know it was Judas, only Jesus knew this. The disciples would have been hurt and disappointed. The hurt of betrayal winds you, crushes your heart. Although they had protested loudly their faithfulness the disciples did not count on the effect of the betrayal. After an initial effort to stand and fight, they all ran, just as Jesus said they would. What is interesting is the fact that Jesus did not stand o...

Then and came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:37,38 Jesus Himself had been tempted, the first time it is mentioned is after he had fasted for 40 days. We know ahe had a habit of withdrawing to a quiet place to pray, perhaps this garden. When you, the one facing a huge situation go to those who were your closest friends and they are asleep or indifferent to your pain, that hurts. I experienced this back in 2003 when my marriage fell apart. The people in my world, who I thought had my back, had their own agenda not mine and they left me to suffer alone. Considering I was a pastor, this was hard. I had given my life for the church and the people. There was only one who reach out, Hal Oxley, a venerable old man of God. He offered us time out with him, my then husband refused. I d...

Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John with Him, and he began to be deeply distressed and horrified. Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow. To the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, "Abba, Farher! All things possible for You.mtake this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:32-36 Gethsemane was a place they used to go. Jesus went to a place He knew and felt comfortable in. I love gardens, I sense the Lord's presence more there, especially around trees. This does not mean they are more hallowed, just they do it for me.  I love this scripture because Jesus is displaying His humanness, we can relate when faced with something we must go through and are terrified of. He...

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will run away, because it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.' But after I have resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." Peter told Him, "Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!" "I assure you, " Jesus told him, " today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!" But he kept on insisting, "If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" And they all said the same thing. Mark 14:27-31 This is an example where we allow our emotions to defy Scripture. Jesus told the disciples what was prophesied in scripture, and yet they disagreed. Who was right? As we read on we see Jesus and Scripture was right. Today, I see people I love, walk in their emotion and think that because what they have devised is noble then that is a guarantee of success or righteousness. We can so easily be fooled by our flesh who lists fo...

As they were eating, He took bread blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is My body." Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is My blood that establishes the covenant, it is shed for many. I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God." After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:22-26 Jesus was a story teller, a man who helped those with Him remember through symbolism and metaphors. Here they were celebrating the Old Covenant Passover and Jesus introduces the New Covenant, the shedding of His blood would once and for all time deal with the penalty of sin. I loved using stories with my children to teach them a lesson. I remember once going on a long journey and told a continuous story that lasted for four hours or more. They were spellbound. It kept them qui...

When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, "I assure you: One of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me!" They began to be distressed and say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" He said to them, "It is the one of the Twelve-the one who is dipping bread with me in the bowl. For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Mark 14:17-21 Have you ever been so angry with someone that, against love, against all sense, you turn against the one you have loved and shared life with? I see this all the time in divorce. A man or woman who has been faithfully married for many years becomes offended and angry or seduced into an illicit affair. Their hearts now belong to another, be it another person or the spirit of offence or anger. They will harden their hearts and walk to the al...

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?" So He sent two of his disciples and told them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, The says, "Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with any disciples?" He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. Mark 14:12-16 A man carrying a water jug was odd, women usually did this. Jesus could have know the household and the owner or this could be another miracle where He saw in the Spirit and spoke what He saw. This comes after Judas had gone out and made preparation to betray Jesus. The self-control of Jesus is amazing. He kne...

While He was at Bethany at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease, and as He was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head. But some were expressing indignation to one another: "Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? For the oil might have been sold for more than 30 denarii and given to the poor." And they began to scold her. Then Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. I assure you: whenever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the. Huey priests to hand Him over to them. And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to gi...

After two days it was the Passover and the Festival of Unlevened bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for treacherous ways to arrest and kill Him."Not during the festival," they said, "or there may be rioting among the people." Mark 14:1,2 Here we have church leaders who were responsible for running the temple, leading the people, diving scripture plotting to kill Jesus because and got up their noses by confronting their hypocrisy. They could see that the people loved Him. He did them only good, unlike themselves. What has transpired in their church culture for leaders to become such despots. What happened to the law: thou shalt not kill? What made them think they were above the law? Tonight I read a good article by John Bevere on 'Good or God. ' The word good has been taken away from the biblical context, only God is good. How does God lead us? By scripture. Only scripture carries divine truth. We distort truth to suit our own desires. Bein...

"Now concerning that day or hour, no one knows- neither the Angels in heaven nor the Son- except the Father. Watch! Be alert! For you don't know when the time is coming. It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commended the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore, be alert, since you don't know when the master of the house is coming-whether in the evening or midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early morning. Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be Alert!" Mark 13:32-37 What stands out to me is: Be Alert! What does this mean? Jesus Himself tells us: not sleeping. Asking Christ into our hearts is one thing but living for Him and walking in our destiny is another. We are here to change our part of the world by the salt and light living within us. The salt, much like the manna, when kept for ourselves and longer than we should, rots and is ...

"But in those days, after the tribulation: the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will be falling from the sky, and the celestial powers will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. He will send hHis Angels and gather Hus elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. Learn this parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branches becomes tender and sprouts leaves,myounknow the summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that He is near- at the door! Mark13:24-29 It appears we will not escape the tribulation because previously Jesus said that the tribulation would be shortened for the sake of the elect. We are seeing such persecution now is it enough or is there more? I am looking forward to the light show and watching the stars falling from the sky. Sounds like He might arrive at night. Maybe? 'Wars and rumours of wars', earthq...

As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!" Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!" Mark 13:1,2 The disciples as a human was impressed with what had been made by man but Jesus knew another story. The coming destruction in AD 70 by the Romans. What impresses us? The great gatherings, large crowds? The massive buildings? What impresses God? Souls destined for the kingdom of God. The structures He has prepared for us surpassess our best effort. Our task is to gather the harvest. Yes we need buildings but they are not the focus. They are tools. With the large buildings comes staff and the regular attendee can easily assume that the church staff will do what they must do. We are all soul harvesters. That is our role. Having our name on a plaque is not important, having our name written in...

Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. many rich people put in large sums, and a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them, "This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury. For they gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed- all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44 I find it interesting that Jesus sat watching people giving at church. I wonder what He would see at my church. Nowadays many give on-line well before church but this tends to make it ok for everyone to pass the bucket and not put in. Perhaps I should go back to giving on Sundays and be an example. On Sunday I was listening to the message on Faith but also thinking on how to give more. There was a time when I gave the first part of my business income but got into trouble with the accountant and told it had to come...

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.The second is: love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other command greater than these. Mark 12:30 Today I am challenged with these scriptures: in loving my God with all I am I must obey His prompting some to aid my fellow man and woman. He is giving me a few projects: a friend needs a picture framed and has been waiting for almost a year for a man to frame it. I have the tools and know how to do it; my odd neighbour down the street keeps taking the Coles shopping trolleys home and leaving them outside her house, why, she does not have a car and obviously does not want to pay for delivery. The third is praying for my church's heart and handling of new converts. I am willing to help but also pray for an open door. One of these jobs will win a friend the other might win a neighbourhood, the last might keep souls. The concern is always being abused when offerin...

He also said in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes, and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive the harsher punishment. Mark 12:38-40 I think that the honour that the scribes now insist on was once given out of courtesy but over time it became expected and with the expectation came the belief that they could do as they please and take what they want. Now they were not respected but despised. Their behaviour now causing ridicule for their position that was once honoured. Along with the ridicule would be the loss of respect for what they purported to represent, the Scriptures. How sad! When ministry mistakenly believe things about themselves and their position and believe, falsely that God would endorse them, this is a sad day indeed. Just the same, anyone in authority can come to believe them...

So Jesus asked this question as He taught in the temple complex, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David? David himself says by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord declared to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I put your enemies under Your feet.' David himself called Him 'Lord'; how then can the Messiah be his Son?" And the large crowd listened to Him with delight. Mark 12:35-37 Today the same question remains for the Jews: who then is Jesus Christ? For us who believes, we can enter into this promise: 'sit here, at peace, and watch Me win a victory.' Jesus defeated our enemy at the cross and now we can, by faith, take our territory.  Just because there is opposition does not mean it it is not ours. It is ours by inheritance and we must dispossess the squatters. If we faint thinking it is all too hard, we fail to possess all that is ours but if we endure and rebuke the enemy he must flee. The path to victory is littered with the live...

One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, "Which command is most important of all? "This is the most important," Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is One. Love the Lord your a God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is: love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other command greater than these." Then the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to Him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark 12:28-34 At last, an intelligent man. This man was a thinker, a sea...

Some Saducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and questioned Him: "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaves his wife behind, and leaves no child, his brother should take his wife and produce offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring. The second also took her, and he died, leaving no offspring, and the third likewise. So the seven left no offspring. Last of all, the woman dies too. In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be, since the seven had marries her." Jesus told them, "are you not deceived because you don't know the scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. Now concerning the dead being raised- haven't you read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him: ' I am the God of Issac and the God of Jac...

Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him to trap him by what He said. When they came to Him they said to Him, "Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?" But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at." So they brought one. "whose image and inscription  is this?" He asked them. "Caesar's," they said. Then Jesus told them, "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they were amazed at Him. Mark 12:13-17 The foolish thing about hypocrisy is those that have it think they deceive others but in fact often only deceive themselves. Fancy called Jesus 'good teacher,' and making out He is good and righteous when they were in fact trying to trap Him....

Then He began to speak to them in parables: "a man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tennant farmers and went away. At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers. But they took him, beat him, and sent him away empty handed. Again he sent another slave to them, and they hit him on the head and treated him shamefully. Then they sent another, and they killed that one. He also sent many others; they beat some and they killed some. He still had one to send, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But those tennant farmers said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!" So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers and give ...

They came again to Jerusalem. As He was walking in the temple complex, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came and asked Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority to do these things?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things, "Was John's baptism from heaven or from men" answer Me?" They began to argue among themselves: "If we say, 'From heaven, ' then He will say, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say 'from men,' -they were afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought that John was a genuine prophet. So they answered Him, "We don't know."  And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." Mark 11:27-33 Ever been caught out with the words you write or speak? I was today. I had written an article on Facebook about a...

Jesus replied to them, "Have faith in God. I assure you: if anyone says to the mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but he believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for- believe that you have received them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. (But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father forgive you.) mark 11:22-26 Jesus had just cursed the fig tree and the disciples reported to Him, the next day, "Look it is withered up!" The time in between the cursing and the withering Jesus had thrown people out of the temple for selling goods to sacrifice. Here Jesus talks about receiving if we believe in our hearts but then He goes on to talk about forgiveness. Unforgiveness takes up the room that faith requires and if...

They came to Jerusalem, and He went into the temple complex and began to throw out those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers tables and chairs of those selling doves, and would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple complex. Then He began to teach them: "Is it not written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?' But you have made it a den of thieves!" Mark 11:15-17 Buying and selling are transactions of the flesh but prayer is a transaction of the Spirit. Jesus was saying that while you establish a carnal centre for transacting you are robbing His house of its purpose. We go to church to seek Him, not to buy stuff. When the sole purpose of the church is to spend time in His presence, we enter the realm of the spirit as we seek Him. However if we first enter the church through a place of transaction then this framework superimposes itself on the further steps. At times we are robbed of presence because of...

They came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, "Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!" Many people told him to be quiet but he was crying out all the more, "Have mercy on me, Son of David!" Jesus stopped and said, "call him." So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up; He's calling for you." He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Then Jesus answered him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" "Rabbouni," the blind man told Him, "I want to see!" "Go your way, " Jesus told him. "Your faith has healed you." Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road. Mark 10:46-52 I wonder if Bartimaeus' story went like this?: I wasn't always blind. When I was little I could...

Jesus called them over and said to them, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men in high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that with you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life- a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45 The disciples still did not get all that had gone before, now they are fighting for position again. We get caught up in our own agendas, writing our own scripts and failing to wait on the Lord for His agenda. Jesus is about to face a most brutal trial and they are caught in petty disputes. On Lord! Every time I become petty I am missing the glory of the big picture. If I can catch the big picture then I çan help bring it to pass, instead of hindering it with my own foolishness. What is God saying? That i...

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. They were astonished, but those who followed Him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, He began to tell them the things that would happen to Him. "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles, and they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him, and He will rise after three days. Mark 10:32-34 The disciples were afraid. Jesus had been telling them all along what would happen and although it did not fit with their vision of the Messiah, they quaked knowing something was coming. It is so good to be with someone who has confidence and vision but to be with someone who is constantly talking of death and His destruction is scary. The disciples were right to be afraid. They knew they were tough and fearsome because of Him, not because of themselve...

Peter began to tell Him, "Look, we have left everything and followed You." "I assure you," Jesus said, "there is no one who has left house, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children or fields because of Me and the gospel, who will not receive 100 times more, now at this time-houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions- and eternal life in the age to come. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:28-31 Peter is again the spokesman. In his humble opinion they all had fulfilled the criteria. I wonder what he expected in return. Jesus goes on the say that they will receive more in this life, with persecutions. Mm!  I wonder if that is what they wanted to hear, or what Peter wanted to hear. They were continually jostling for first place amongst themselves. My consolation is that in eternity I will have more, without persecutions. I think I will hang out for that. Many who jostle to be noticed ...

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Looking at them, Jesus said, "with men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God." Mark 10:23-27 Why did the disciples become astonished? Why did they say, "But who can be saved?" Perhaps their confusion came from the fact that wealth had been considered a sign of blessing. Perhaps some who followed were wealthy? Perhaps some of them were wealthy. We know that Jesus was supported by some wealthy women, what about them? Wealth creates a sense of security and the recipi...

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but a one-God. You know the commandments: Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not defraud; Honour your father and your mother. He said to Him, "all of these I have kept from my youth." Then looking at him Jesus loved him Adam said to him, "You lack one thing: go sell all you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow Me." But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22 This young man knew he lacked eternal life. He had insight and knew Jesus could give it to him. However, his diligence at keeping the law had not given it to him. I wonder what he expected Jesus to say, perhaps more law, piety, som...

Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me. Don't stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: "Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 Only in the last chapter does Jesus take a child in His arms and declare that " whoever welcomes a little child such as this in My name welcomes Me..." Yet the disciples had quickly forgotten. Here they were trying to rule the roost. This scripture tells us that children are very welcome to Jesus, that children are more open and receptive to Him. This is why children need to be in church and attending scripture lessons. The lessons give them a good foundation for knowing Him. We can only imagine that the disciples consid...

He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on Him again and, as He usually did, He began teaching them once more. Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, "Is to lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He replied to them, "What did Moses command you to do?" They said, "Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away." But Jesus told them, "He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what a God has joined together, man must not separate." Mark 10:1-9 This scripture deals with a few issues: what is marriage, what is a godly relationship; what is God's view of divorce? He also puts paid to the modern concept ...

For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavour, how can you make it salty? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another. Mark 9:49,50 These are probably two of my favourite verses in Mark. How am I salted with fire? I think my trials and tribulations give me the opportunity to press into God and be changed, salted, flavoursome. Nothing is nicer than the flavour salt can give. I love salty chips, crisps etc I love the flavour. On Thursday night I wanted to cook Yorkshire puddings for dinner, along with the roast beef. My daughter was not too keen as she said they usually lacked flavour. I decided to change the flavour. I changed the amount of eggs and I also added more salt. The verdict, tasty!  When something lacks flavour or passion others around us a disinclined to join in. Passion for Christ and His word, all of it, unedited, makes us tasty. When we apply scripture to all that happens in our lives we are salted. Salty ...

But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me- it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42 Being a grandparent I see the importance of what I subject my grandchildren to, what I allow, and what I fail to act on. My grandchildren are being raised to know the Lord, I cannot compromise their learning with fleshly or rebellious ways. Likewise I must speak when they try on bad behaviour. I cannot expect that children will survive my slackness or misconduct. Children are to be nurtured and raised to love and cherish life and others. Children's minds are malleable and I must be aware of this fact in all I do. In verse 36 Jesus took a child and placed him in their midst. He was teaching on servant hood. Some think the words 'little ones' could refer to new believers but I think, here, He is taking about children. Proverbs says 'raise up a child in the way he should go and wh...

John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn't following us." "Don't stop him, " said Jesus, "because there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name who can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. And whoever gives you a cup of water in My name, since you belong to The Messiah- I assure you:he will never lose his reward. Mark 9:38-41 A cup of water for a stranger seems nothing but to the Lord He notices that kindness. God is good! And He notices the small things. Are you believing He wants big things? Big things come out of a lot of small things. Trust Him! Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, as is love. I cannot give kindness, the type that has no ulterior motive, without God noticing. If all you can do is acts of kindness, then do it, let your actions speak for you amen!

Then they came to Capernaum. Wen He was in the house, He asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the Twelve and  said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever welcomes one little child such as his in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but Him who sent Me. Mark 9:33-37 We are on the way and we argue about many things, self-important drives most arguments. Either we think we are more than we are or one we support is more than they are. The apostle Paul had to deal with this in 1Corinthians chapter 1 and he goes on to explain why in chapter 3, we are immature. When we know God's heart and are in close fellowship with Him we are less inclined to take si...

Then He asked them, "What are you arguing about?" Out of the crowd, one man answered Him, "Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't." He replied to them, "You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up " bring him here to me." So they brought him to Him. Mark 9:16-19 Later we see that the father lacked faith and asked for help with his lack. Jesus provided that and healed His son. We must approach Him in faith, but if we are struggling He will provide.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transformed in front of them, and His clothes became dazzling- extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"- because he did not know what he should say, since they were terrified. A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!" Then suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. T hey kept this word to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant. Mark 9:2-10 Jesus took three ...

Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel, will save it. For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? What can man give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with His holy angels. Mark 8:34-38 In the great debate as to whether to address homosexuality in the church, we are faced with the above scripture. If we do not speak the truth, in love, what are we saying to Christ? We are saying His sacrifice and purity are to no avail because sin reigns. If we fail to confront we say, "Anything goes!" And anything will go and our churches will be made of no effect by the pollution we ...