September 2023

04/09/2023
MArk 1 v 21-34; 1 Cor 2 v 1-16; Ps 74 v 1 - 23; Jos 6 v 1 - 7 v 26

Teaching with real Authority

²² The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (Mark 1 v 22) [NLT]

27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” (vers 27) [NLT]

Surely Jesus didn’t teach anything other than the Scriptures?

Have you ever visited another church service or listened to a sermon online, realizing that everything the pastor said was spirit filled and it aligned perfectly with Scripture? We have to keep in mind that the people were so indoctrinated by the Scribes and the Pharisees, and their interpretations of the law, that anything else was a breath of fresh air.
Jesus, teaching with (real) authority, didn’t contradict the Scriptures, but taught the true meaning of the law and the prophets, which was fulfilled in Him and now He had the authority to forgive sins, heal the sick and cast out demons.

Wisdom of men vs Power of God

Paul was also teaching with authority, filled by the Spirit, proclaiming that everything he said was through reliance on God’s power and not his own wisdom. (1 Cor 2 v 1- 5)
Do we rely on our own intellect when preaching the Good News and the gospel of the Kingdom or do we trust that the Lord will give us the words to say, at the right time? How many of us, who have studied the Scriptures and perhaps attended Seminary, fall back on what we were taught by men and their interpretation or perception of the truth, rather than seeking God’s wisdom and waiting on His instruction…?

Spirit of the world vs God’s Spirit

Have you received God’s Spirit, through the second birth, i.e. have you been born again or do you still follow the spirit of this age?
We cannot know the things of God’s kingdom if we remain attached to this world. You and I will never be able to live a life dedicated to Jesus, if we continue to live according to worldly standards.
How will we ever attain the mind of Christ (vers 16), if we cannot understand the thing of God and how His kingdom functions?

My prayer for today is that you will ask God to reveal Himself to you through His Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit. God is true to Himself and cannot lie. He will answer your prayer if you are sincere of heart, seeking His forgiveness.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation”

06/09/2023
Mark 1 v 35-45; 1 Cor 3 v 1-23; Ps 75 v 1-10; Jos 8 v 1 - 9 v 27

God is willing and able

⁴¹ Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1 v 41)

Jesus, the perfect example

Compassion = sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Oxford dictionary

Are we able to show compassion where required and reach out to others in need of help or are we so caught up in our theology, believing that we are either chosen and some other people are not, or that we are so blessed, because of our good works, while others are in the situation they find themselves in due to their own decisions?

Everyone needs compassion and everyone needs a Saviour. God is willing (to equip you) and able to give you the grace required for your calling.

We are able if we are willing

The only thing standing between us and the ability to live a spirit-filled life is our fallen flesh and its earthly desires, of which pride is probably our biggest downfall. (1 Cor 3 v 2)
God warns us not to boast (Ps 75 v 4) for it is He who exalts the righteous and pours out His wrath on the wicked.

Jesus is the foundation that we build our faith on (1 Cor 3 v 11) and no other foundation can be laid that will stand the test of time. Remember, that whether we plant a seed or water that seed, God causes the growth and therefore we should not boast about any of our efforts, for we are mere men, fellow workers in God’s Kingdom.

God was willing to become a man and also able to do so.
Can you imagine any other religion’s “deity” being willing and able to “de-throne” themselves in order to make amends on our behalf.

The God of the Universe, Creator of the living, the Lord Jesus, calls on you today and offers hope (while still in the flesh, facing trials and tribulations) and also an eternity with Him, when you transition from this life to the next. The question is this.
Will you accept Him as Lord of your life, the King that reigns above every earthly government and follow His commandments?

The choice is yours and you are able to respond as long as you are willing.
Look in the mirror and you will see a flawed man…. a broken man…. a sick man…. in need of redemption, in need of a Saviour and the many ways that seem right unto you will ultimately only lead to death and destruction. There is another way though, but you would have to deny yourself, then turn your back on the world and the things thereof and finally put this earthly vessel to death. Then and only then will you be able to pick your cross and follow Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation”