Greetings everyone,
Well, this is a new year and God has a lot in store for us all. I am sure that many of you are or have or made your New Year's resolutions. I pray that building a, or increasing your relationship with Christ is first on your list.
Recently at dinner with my family, my oldest son brought up a discussion regarding what would you do if you lost one of your senses. I told him that I would be willing to give up my sight. When asked why, I said that because I know that when I get to heaven everything would be restored. He said that everyone would say that, but why would I really give up my sight? I also told everyone that my other reason is because I could not give up the ability to feel the the touch of my wife (thier mother), her beautiful voice, the taste of her cooking, or the smell of her hair or perfume. Her beautiful face would always be etched in my mind. This forced me to consider the blessings afforded me by our Savior. It also called into question the process I have been using to put God's word across to each of you. I will continue to say that we are in Era where we are in need of a Revival. Many of us struggle daily with what appears to be a dramatic shift in morality, community and political governance.
The hardest part of putting such information together, is trying to reach everyone where they are. How does someone who wants to share God's word find a way to tell a today's society that they need Christ. It is easy to say to someone, "Allow God to work through you and He will give the words." The hard part is moving your humanity out of the way and letting Him use you. Please read the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.
GotQuestions.Org:
Book: Mark 9:38-50
Author: Although the Gospel of Mark does not name its author, it is the unanimous testimony of early church fathers that Mark was the author. He was an associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). From Peter he received first-hand information of the events and teachings of the Lord, and preserved the information in written form.
It is generally agreed that Mark is the John Mark of the New Testament (Acts 12:12). His mother was a wealthy and prominent Christian in the Jerusalem church, and probably the church met in her home. Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but not on the second because of a strong disagreement between the two men (Acts 15:37-38). However, near the end of Paul’s life he called for Mark to be with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
Date of Writing: The Gospel of Mark was likely one of the first books written in the New Testament, probably in A.D. 55-59.
Purpose of Writing: Whereas Matthew is written primarily to his fellow Jews, Mark’s gospel appears to be targeted to the Roman believers, particularly Gentiles. Mark wrote as a pastor to Christians who previously had heard and believed the Gospel (Romans 1:8). He desired that they have a biographical story of Jesus Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world in order to strengthen their faith in the face of severe persecution and to teach them what it meant to be His disciples.
OliveTree - Mobile App: (New English Translation)
On Jesus Side:
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, because no one who does a miracle in my name will be able soon afterward to say anything bad about me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For I tell you the truth, whoever gives you a cup of water because you bear Christs name will never lose his reward. 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out! It is better to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Matthew Henry Commentary: Mark 9:38-50 Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence men who have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ's name, because they follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles, reminding them that he who wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believe in the Savior, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works by the preacher.
Vs. 41- 50. It is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self- reflection are this never- dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better to undergo all possible pain, hardship, and self- denial here, and to be happy for ever hereafter, than to enjoy all kinds of worldly pleasure for a season, and to be miserable for ever. Like the sacrifices, we must be salted with salt; our corrupt affection must be subdued and mortified by the Holy Spirit. Those that have the salt of grace, must show they have a living principle of grace in their hearts, which works out corrupt dispositions in the soul that would offend God, or our own consciences.
Nelson ' s New Testament Survey: Mark 9:38 - 50 "... Fellowship is based on one's attitude towards Jesus Christ rather than the personal styles or philosophies of ministry among those who would seek to serve Him. All service done in the name of the Lord and for the glory of God will be rewarded." "Jesus then warned about causing "little ones" to sin. Physical death is to be preferred to the discipline or judgement of Jesus will execute on the offenders. Any stimulus that could cause offense should be removed. Those who cause stumbling blocks are unbelievers who will suffer eternal judgement in hell. Jesus used such expressions as "where the fire never goes out," "their worm does not die," and "the fire is not quenched " to speak about the punishment and permanence of hell. While some may not think he'll is real, Jesus certainly did."
Let's consider a few things; do we understand what stumbling blocks we put before others? In a society where Christ is being removed from everything or if you are a believer, you are ostracized, marginalized, and or criticized. People treat Christians today worse than many dictators; heck in some cities, animals have more rights than Christians. To you this may seem a little drastic in what I am saying, but consider that a Satanic Temple Unveils Design For 7-foot Statue In Oklahoma(http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4551499); or Satanists Win the Right to Place ‘Grossly Offensive’ Holiday Display Next to the Nativity Inside Florida’s Capitol(http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/12/03/satanists-win-the-right-to-place-grossly-offensive-holiday-display-next-to-the-nativity-inside-floridas-capitol/). Obviously, this is minimal compared to the numerous articles I can find regarding, no prayer in school, kids in elementary schools who are requesting use of opposite sex bathrooms because at the age of 5 -12, they believe that they are in the wrong body. If you don't see this as an issue, what can I do to let God use me reach you or others? Many of us have put on blinders because we are worried about how we fit in or how they way we believe may affect those around us. I can only pray, that somehow or some way, you are open to what Christ has to offer you. If what I have said or done prohibits you from accepting Christ or I am a stumbling block to anything that would even introduce you to Him, then I humbly apologize and pray that God has another way you.
God bless and Happy New Year.
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