Monthly archive for February 2016

40-Day Challenge: 4 Gospels in 40 Days: Day 3 (Mark 6-7) – Examining My Heart

40-Day Challenge: 4 Gospels in 40 Days: Day 3 (Mark 6-7) – Examining My Heart

“When they saw him walking on the water they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them: ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then he went up with them into the boat, and the wind ceased. They were completely astonished, because they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” Mark 6:49-52 (NET) Mark’s explanation about WHY the disciples were “completely astonished” by this awesome display of Jesus’ power is disturbing to me.  He states that the disciples’ “hearts were […]

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40-Day Challenge: 4 Gospels in 40 Days: Day 2 (Mark 3-5) – Persevering Under Pressure

40-Day Challenge:  4 Gospels in 40 Days:  Day 2 (Mark 3-5) – Persevering Under Pressure

Jesus’ ministry exposed him to constant pressure. The crowd pressed upon him in public places (3:9-10; 4:1; 5:31). People with diseases pressed toward him in order to touch him for healing. When he went to his home, the crowd pressed him so much that he was not even able to eat a meal with his family (3:20). His family pressured him for attention (3:31). The religious people pressured him to conform to their traditions of acceptable behavior (3:2; 3:22).  A synagogue ruler pressed him to come immediately to heal his daughter while, at the same time, a hemorrhaging woman pressed […]

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40-Day Challenge: 4 Gospels in 40 Days: Day 1 (Mark 1, 2) – Radical Discipleship

40-Day Challenge: 4 Gospels in 40 Days:  Day 1 (Mark 1, 2) – Radical Discipleship

“As [Jesus] went along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.’ They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in their boat mending nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” Mark 1:14-20 (NET) “Jesus went out again by the sea. The […]

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