Letter of the Law vs. "Spirit" of the Law

Paul tells the Galatians, there is freedom in Christ...in fact ...He has set us free...so don't be under a yoke of slavery any longer.

Look at the picture to the right. (it is a great visual)  It is a gigantic "Ten Commandments" in a Bible Park in Murphy, NC.  Now that is a lot of Law!!! Paul says don't be enslaved by the letter of the law.  Seems like the more we try to keep the law in our own strength...the bigger it gets.  In fact ....It's  impossible for us to obey the law apart from Christ.

In verse 14...Paul says, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself."

 So when we "love our neighbor as ourself" ...we are actually living out the law through the Spirit.  You don't have to get all religious...always focusing on the "don't s"  of the law...instead just love others with the love God has shown you....

Who We are in Christ

Starting in 3:26 all the way through the end of chapter 4 Paul reminds the Galatians of who they are in Christ. When we read it "personally" it reminds us of who we are...in Christ.

 Gal 3:26  We are sons of God
      3:29  We are Abraham's seed/ heirs according to the promise of God
      4: 5  We are sons with full rights
      4:6  Our Spirit cries out, "Abba" (Father)
      4:7  God has made us an heir
      4:28 We are children of the promise
      4:30 We will share in the inheritance of the Father
Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves who we are when we "clothe ourselves in Christ"...
if we belong to Christ...we are his brother....Co-heir to the Kingdom of God.

" A Man is Not Justified by Keeping the Law."

Justified...what does that mean?  Sounds sorta religious. Many times we "breeze by" words like that and don't let them sink in.

Justified means to be declared innocent or guiltless.

The bible tells us (not here)  that one day each of us will stand in front of God for the judgement of our sins.  If we have broken even one sin...we are guilty of breaking God's Law.  " A Man is Not Justified by Keeping the Law."  In other words...all are guilty under the Law because all have broken the Law. 

So how will any be "justified"  or found innocent???  By being good? No. By observing the law?  No. ..."but by faith in Christ Jesus." 

His Life...His blood was given for those who would believe in Him....to justify them before the Holy Judge.
His blood is the only thing that will satisfy our sin debt!!!!

"They Only Heard the Report..."

Galatians is a letter of encouragement from Paul, a Jew and former Pharisee.  Paul had been a zealous persucutor of the Church before his radical conversion to Christianity.  The encounter with  the "risen" Jesus on the road to Damascus transformed him  Paul did not just hear the gospel....He met the Gospel in person and experienced the grace of salvation. He was now a totally different person in Christ.


Paul also had a new reputation: "The man who formerly persecuted us, is now preaching the faith..."

I can relate to Paul's testimony. God recued me.  He gave me a new life.

Can you relate with Paul's story? Has God rescued you from this present age of evil? Has God called you?  Has He set you apart?   Is God giving you a new reputation? God gives us a new story to glorify Himself....and we need to tell our story...the one God has given us.

What's the Good New? "He has Risen!"

Today we finish up the Book of Mark...one of the four Gospels.  What does "Gospel" mean?  Gospel means "Good News.'' 

So what is the Good News?
If we beleive that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the Dead...we will be saved and will live with Him forever.

A good definition of the Gospel is Romans 1:16 where Paul says, ..."it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."

In Mark's Gospel, Chapter 16:15 Jesus had risen from the dead (wow) and after appearing to the disciples said," Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

Following our daily reading format...I will ask you to read it generally, then specificly and then after reading it personally ...answer this question: What do these final words of Jesus mean for you personally?"

His disciples then went out and preached the Gospel everywhere...and absolutely turned the world upside down.  Author T. R Glover has said, "Early Christians out-thought, out-lived and out-died everyone else."

WHY ?????????

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

This loud cry of Jesus has troubled me this past 24 hrs. In the whole process of being arrested, tried, mocked, flogged...etc...Jesus suffered silently, like a little lamb being taken to be slaughtered.  Not hardly a peep from Him...just to say who he was.

Because of the image, I went back to Isaiah 53 which hauntingly predicts and spells out His suffering....hundred of years before this actual happening of the death of Jesus,  "as a sheep before her shearers is silent."

But  after all that silence, Jesus let out this "loud" cry...questioning His Father. "Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?"  "Why have you forsaken me?

Even though we don't hear it from God here....the "cause" is disturbing,  It is"MY SIN".

MY SIN & YOUR SIN...that is why he was put to death and descended into HELL.  Now YOUR SIN does not trouble me as much...but MY SIN????   Ouch....It shames me....you know I once heard that , sin is when we say to God, "My way...not your way!!!!"

Prayer:  Lord forgive me of MY SIN...I see some of MY WAYS and I am very very ashamed.  I love you because you gave your whole self for me...your breath...your life's blood...for me.  You loved me before I was formed in my mother's womb.  I have seen a glimpse of MY SELF and I can be so so ugly.  Save me Lord...save me. You have not forsaken me.  Thank you, Lord.

Did Jesus ever Claim to be the Messiah (the Christ)?

Many people will tell you that Jesus never claimed to be "the Christ"... the Messiah....but this is just not true. In today's reading of Mark 14:61-62...this is exactly what the scripture says!!!!!  I have listed the NIV translation...but the King James and the ESV are almost identical.

 61 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62  “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

How much plainer can you get???  Jesus says "I am".
This is an answer much like God gave Moses when he explained who He was, "I AM Who I AM."

The point is .... Jesus is "the Christ"...the one that the whole Old Testament points to....and He is fulfilling Old Testament prophecy all through Mark.

What Massive Stones! What Magnificent Buildings!

After all of Jesus' teaching in the temple, the disciples still did not completely understand His message.  As we continue into Mark 13, one of the disciples wants him to take note of the beautiful temple architecture. "Look teacher! What Massive Stones!  What Magnificent Buildings!"

Are you kidding me???  Surely after hearing Jesus explain the sacrificial giving of the poor widow...no one...especially his closest followers.... would point out the "over the top" architecture of the temple.  But Jesus uses the moment to teach about the temporary nature of the things of the world, "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

Last summer my family toured several of the "ruins" around the Mediterranean.
This picture actual is from the town of Ephesus in Turkey (not in Jerusalem)...  but if you've seen one ruin....you have seen them all.  The thing I noticed most about the ancient ruins....no matter where we were....there were way more stones on the ground than standing.  In fact if there was a building standing...it was because someone was trying to rebuild it from all the rubble scattered around.

So from an eternal perspective...housing, temples and all forms of buildings probably aren't that good of eternal investment.  So what is a good eternal investment?  One answer is mentioned by Jesus later in verse 31, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."   I hope reading of the word each day will be of much, more value to you.... knowing that it is eternal !!!!!!!

Read the Word.... 1.) Generally 2.) Specificly & 3.)Personally

TIP: Want to get the most out of scripture??? Read it at least 3 times....

In Mark 12 Jesus starts with a parable that offends the "religious elite" of the day.  Why?  As always...Jesus' truth penetrates down to the core of their souls. Then he goes into several conversations with each of these various sects of the "religious" Jews of the day....the Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees and the teachers of the law.  In this short chapter He offends them all in a few short conversations.

So let's begin our study by reading generally the first time through...this would be the factual, historical perspective.(What went on in the passage?)  The situation in Mark 12 seems pretty easy for us to discern in reading these passages.  Example: Jesus is confronting the skewed view of the religious folk.   (so many of us stop our analysis of scripture after we obtain this academic historical viewpoint)   I encourage you to search deeper!!!

Next we want to read the passages specificly, seeking to understand the lesson to be learned from a "Christian point of view".  (What would any "follower of Jesus" take away from this story or passage?)  Example:  In Mark 12 we might summarize these lessons by saying,  "Jesus does not look at the outward appearances of being religious....He sees down to the real attitudes of our hearts."

Finally, we would want to read the passage again "personally".  (What is God saying to me through this passage?)  This is really the purpose of scripture....to let scripture read us...to let the word examine our hearts.

So what is Mark 12 saying to you?  Only you know that....but I pray that you will not reject the teaching of Jesus like the religious leaders. Instead I pray you will listen and accept the teaching "out of your poverty".

Mark 11 "The Triumphal Entry"

This week we will start reading about Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem on a little borrowed colt.  What's so victorious about this kind of entrance?  We will then end the week with Jesus' burial on Friday in chapter 15.   Is this story of the man Jesus dying...really good news?

It must have been a wild and confusing week for those following Him, especially for His disciples.  After being with Jesus for 3 years....
they still did not understand who Jesus was.  Like most of us...they were expecting their own version of the Messiah... not a carpenter straddling a little donkey....not a humble, suffering servant.

Many scholars feel that most Jews of that day were expecting more of a "conquering king" that would restore power to "God's chosen people."  Do we attempt to fashion-up our own God?  One that helps our dreams come true?   Do we project an Americanized version of the Savior onto Jesus?  A God that guarantees good health?  Prosperity? Ever increasing wealth?  No problems?  Peace? Are our prayers me, me, me?  or Thy will be done?

As we read through the New Testament.  Let's quit trying to get God to come into our story...and humble ourselves and ask, "Lord, how can we become part of your story?  Let's ask God to open our eyes to who he is...(and believe that He will reveal Himself to us).   "Hosanna in the Highest" !!!!!!

"The Kingdom belongs to such as these."

In Mark 10:15 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it."

I think we would all do well to meditate on this a  while since Jesus starts out with, "I tell you the truth."  Many times through out the New Testament, Jesus praises child-like qualities. This time it is in regard to "receiving the kingdom of God."


What is it to be child-like? How can we be more child-like in our faith? 

Maybe "child-like" is being fully innocent.  Can't you see these children running toward Jesus...jumping into his lap...trying to get his attention???

Children receive gifts in a spirit of freedom.... joy...thankfulness...energy...laughter. Can't you hear the giggles...see the smiles?   Children receive love without thinking of earning...without thought of paying back...without thought of strings that may be attached.  Lacking motive, they are guilt free.  They are not politically correct!!!! They commit 100% to the moment they are with you and they give back all they have.  They don't hold back..... and neither should we!  "The kingdom belongs to such as these."

"Help me overcome my Unbelief."

In Mark 9: 24,  I love the cry of this desperate daddy.  He and his son have suffered for years with horrible consequences of an evil spirit like convulsions, fits and seizures.  note -In my mind it must have been like the girl in the '73 film The Excorcist (right)

Jesus knows their desperation when He states, "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Two thoughts:
1. The man immediately responds to Jesus.

 Doesn't this seem to be a developing theme for the people really following Jesus? When God speaks...they listen and respond. (let's pay attention to this as we read through the New Testament)
I want to become someone who immediately follows the truths of God....don't you?

2. The man humbles himself and relies on Jesus. "...help me overcome my unbelief."

(my speculation)
After trying everything for years, he somehow knows that Jesus is his only hope of rescue (that he is sure of) but he also knows that he has blind spots.  He knows that he has lingering doubts about many things...but he is so ready for a solution...he is willing to humble himself and say, "I don't know everything..help me to follow you in spite of my short comings in theology."

"help me in my unbelief."   This is one beautiful prayer...I think this is the cry for help God loves to hear from us!!!

What does Jesus require of His Followers?

In Mark 8:34 Jesus calls to the crowd following Him, "If anyone would would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

One way of losing our life...is losing the ownership of our life....it is no longer "My" life...the life I now live belongs to God.  In his book, The Purpose Driven Life , Rick Warren states this in the first line of the book, "It's not about you!"

As we "lose our life" ...we exchange what "we want", what "we need", what "we desire"....for the life Jesus lays out for us in His word.   We, like Jesus...voluntarily lay down our way for God's way.

Week Two

As we read through Mark...try to change your approach of reading the word.  Our tendency is to read and try to gain knowledge of the facts about Jesus.  I would encourage you to focus more on knowing Jesus.     Is theere a difference?

If  we read everything we can about a public celebrity...we would know about them.  But would we really know them, personally?  If you met them on the street would they recognize you?  Probably not...unless you had spent time with them or maybe spoke with them in person or spoke with them over  the phone.

Many of us make the mistake of trying to gather up all the facts about Jesus.  There is nothing wrong with that...as long as we are also getting to know Him.  We want to know Him and be known by Him.  John 17:3 says,"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

Let's be reading to Know Him...the only true God!!!

Congratulation on Week One (Summary)

Today we wind down on week one.  I hope you have encountered God in His word this week. It has been a week to try out what works best as far as time and place to do your daily reading and quite time. So I hope you are settling in on a routine...an appointment with God each morning.

Mark has taken us in 5 short chapters from Jesus' introduction and baptism by John, quickly into the heart of His ministry. Jesus has sought out His Father in solitude....taken time to carefully explain his teachings to His disciples...and has attracted large crowds.  The crowds are drawn by His abilities to teach with great authority, heal the sick, drive out evil spirits, calm the "wind & waves" and raise the dead.  No wonder people were so amazed and astonished!!!

Jesus seems to be most compassionately interested in the people desparate for Him.  On the other hand, He has the least time for the "religious folk" of the day...the ones that saw him as a threat to their personal agendas. In fact He often scolds them.   Are we desparately seeking God or just looking for a "golden safety net?"  I pray that in our daily reading of His word we will humble ourselves and seek out this "One True God"...
this "One that we can't live without"....
this "One who give us life and breath"....
this "One who offers us eternal life with Him." 
He is longing to commune with us!!!

The Parable of the Sower - Mark 4

"The Sower"

For Christmas my son gave me this picture and my wife had it framed this week for my office.  I hung it yesteday...and today we read the Parable of the Sower from Mark 4.   The painting's title is "The Sower."     Is the timing coinsidental? .....Or is it divine?

This parable has long been a favorite of mine because it tells us how God wants us to "listen/react" to His word. When God speaks...we need to be attentive, absorb the truth of what he is saying and then apply it to our lives.

Jesus starts out by saying "Listen!".  After the parable he says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  People...I don't know about you...but when Almighty God tells me to "Listen up"...I better adjust my attitude and really pay attention to his message.  When we read the Bible...we are listening to God's message to us...and we had better make it a priority.  I pray that we will.

Day Two

Mark 2
The thing I noticed today is that many people gathered around Jesus....but not all were followers.
There seems to be a difference in the two.  In fact many "gathered around Him" were very religious people.... Pharisees and teachers of the law.  They were not "followers" but were actually critical of Jesus.

In verse 5 ....  Jesus observes four friends lower a paralytic friend down to be healed. He was able to "see" their faith in action.

In contrast in verse 8.... Jesus, seems to look right through the teachers of the law to the attitudes of their hearts.   He asks, "Why are you thinking these things." 

In verse 15...  tax collectors and sinners were lumped into the "followers" category.  Does this surprise you?

Well I guess the take away is that Jesus knows the attitudes of our hearts.  No religious posturing, church attendance or saying your a Christian is going to fool the God of the Universe,  He knows...and rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  I want to seek Him and Know Him...don't you?

Day One....

It has been wonderful hearing from so many friends...saying that they would join us in reading through the New Testament this coming year.  If you are just now looking...it is not too late to join.  In fact, as we continue through this year...people can join us at any time.  So jump in and hang on!!!!

Today's reading (Mark / chapter 1) was a pretty long chapter...especially for our first reading, but don't be discouraged...instead look at all the encouragement that God gives us in this first chapter.

a few observations for us:
verse17-20: When Jesus asked the disciples to follow Him...they reacted "at once"  and "without delay"   Is this how we obey God..."at once and without delay"???  Do we need to adjust our
                    timing?
verse 22, 27  When the people encountered Jesus and got a dose of his teaching they were amazed.
                I hope that you will discover God in His word.  He will shock you and amaze you when                       you personally encounter Him and His teachings.  Just wait and see!!!!!
verse 35: Jesus arose very early...and went to a place where he could be alone with God.
                I figure if this is what Jesus did...then maybe this is what I should do...get up a little
                earlier and meet with Him in His word in a place where I can quiet my heart.

Join me in seeking God in 2019

Welcome to this blog site as we attempt to facilitate and motivate persons to read thru the New Testament this coming year of 2019.  Invite your friends, relatives and co-workers to join you on this... the most exciting of adventures...."seeking God." If you join us...sincerely....you will experience God in your life this year.

After 27 years in all kinds of discipleship small groups ... I can only report to you what I have experienced and observed in the lives of others. I can tell you with a straight face that the most exciting life experience is a life walking with God.  We try to find happiness in all the wrong places...when the Creator of the Universe is waiting for us to return to Him.  Where is He???  I have always found him in His word....the Bible....and He speaks loud and clear to me through His word.

So how do we get started? 
    1. Commit to seek God....by meeting Him each morning this coming year.
    2. Dedicate a special "quiet spot" where you can meet with Him each day. (a corner of an empty living room, a couch in the basement, a chair in the bonus room, in your car in the driveway, on a bench in the backyard, or like me in your closet for the last 18 years)
    3. Seek Him in the morning.   Mrs. Johnson of Bible Study Fellowship explained why a person should have their quiet time in the morning, "Why would you want to tune the violin after the concert."
    4. Have a backup plan...a plan "B".   You will run into time conflicts.  (Satan wants you to fail)
If  you get up late for work....maybe you could have your quite time in your vehicle during your lunch break....or maybe instead of TV after supper...have your quite time. Just don't make these exceptions a habit!!! 

This is His desire...that we remain in His Word....that we remain in Him.  I am excited about you joining me in this journey.  Invite others to join us, too.