Lessons from Mark (murmuring)

Posted on 16 September 2017 by Richard

In Mark 14:3-5, we have the fairly well-known story of a woman (Mary, we know from John), breaking open a box of expensive perfume, and anointing Jesus with it.

The occasion was a feast, or a banquet — possible to celebrate Lazarus’ resurrection by Jesus. It was not held at the home of Lazarus,  Mary, and Martha, but at the home of Simon, who had been a leper (presumably healed by Jesus, although we don’t know for sure).

We learn that “some” at the feast, including some of the disciples (Matthew 26), complained about the waste, and that Judas Iscariot gave voice to those who were unhappy with her actions.

This was expensive perfume; it was an average man’s yearly wage(!) – it was a very extravagant gesture that Mary made.  We were trying to come up with some modern equivalent, and the best we could do was to take expensive bottled water (many bottles), and wash one’s car with it.

Mark 14:5 says: And they murmured against her.

The lesson here is that whatever action we take, there will be some that murmur against what we do.  But we cannot allow that to deter us.

At the same time, there are two extremes to avoid; one is a stubborn refusal to consider any criticism; people can try to tell us that the bridge is out, but we know better, and stubbornly proceed down the road. There are times to heed the criticism of others.

The other extreme is the fear of doing anything until everyone is in agreement with your plan. We’ll never be able to satisfy everyone.

So, seek God’s will; seek wise counsel; and the act, knowing that there will be murmurings and you’ll be in good company

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The ‘Love Not’ Command

Posted on 31 July 2017 by Richard

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. (1 John 2:15)

(I was sharing some thoughts with my wife and also with a friend at church; they both thought this worth sharing with others; thus, this post-RL)

The above verse is pretty well-known to Christians, and is frequently used when preaching to teenagers, and I’m not going to repeat all of that here.

Instead, I have noticed that some people misunderstand was is being commanded here; they teach and practice that “Love not” = “despise” or “hate” – and thus they fall into error.

When someone loves something, that “something” is the focus of their attention; it is important to them and changes their behavior.

However – the SAME is true when someone hates something.  One doesn’t want to be like it; the hated object captures our attention and we modify our behavior so that we won’t be like it — and this is wrong.  After all, if you hate something, it can manipulate you just as easily as if you love it – it does has to do the opposite of what it wants you do do.

As Christians, our focus should be on Jesus Christ; He should be the focus of our attention.

What then should be our attitude toward the world? It should mean nothing to us; we neither love it or hate it.  It just doesn’t matter to us.  If the world, for a time, happens to have a fashion that is Biblical, that’s fine – the fact that the world embraces it shouldn’t matter at all to us.  And when the world has something that is contrary to the Scriptures, it still doesn’t matter; our attention is on our Savior and His word.

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God Can Use Your Uniqueness

Posted on 12 June 2017 by Richard

Recently, I heard a message about the woman who had been bound by Satan 18 years and was healed on the Sabbath day. This event in the life of Jesus is only told by Luke. It was supposed that perhaps this event is recorded by Luke under inspiration was that Luke, as a doctor, found it an interesting case.

I liked that thought.  A lot.

You see, for many years, I have heard “great leaders” talk about how they personally do things – how they organize a church, how they have children’s ministries, how they study the Bible, and so on in many areas. That’s OK, but most of these so-called “great leaders” go on to imply that their way is “the right way” – and that other ways are wrong or won’t be blessed by God. I have even heard one preacher hold forth how that the time of his evening service was the proper time, and that churches that have services at other times are somehow compromising or inferior. They justify this attitude because of their “success” – is not this great Babylon church, which I have built!

This is wrong for a few reasons: first, it is pragmatism. If we claim that the Bible is the only rule for faith and practice, why should we allow “because it works” to be a reason to validate anything? If the Bible is silent in some area, maybe it’s because more than one way is acceptable to God.

In the second place, it steals glory from God; the man making such a statement has forgotten that God builds the church. Jesus said, I will build my church. Let us not take credit for the work He has done.

Finally (and this is the main point from the event described in Luke), just because something works for one person does not mean that everyone needs to do it that way. God is willing to work with each person’s unique talents and likes and dislikes – as long as such things do not contradict His word.

How great of Him!  How wonderful is He!

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I Need You

Posted on 20 March 2017 by Richard

I was listening to a message recently (not at my church), and the person speaking said something like I’m too busy with my ministry responsibilities to spend time with people.

That started me thinking; it recalled a recently-learned truth — Fellowship is important!

I used to think that fellowship was just a bonus, but I didn’t really realize its importance until recently.

Consider the very early church; we know that Peter preached at Pentecost and that 3,000 were saved (God did the counting, not man – generally, man numbering people is sinful in the Scriptures). We learned what these saved people did in Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

There is a lot that could be drawn from this verse about the people that God Himself called saved: They “continued” – they didn’t say a prayer and then never show any interest in spiritual things.  They didn’t come to one service and then drop away. They were changed by the power of God, and they “continued”.

They continued “in the apostles’ doctrine” – they were willing to learn more about Jesus from the men who had spent years closest to Him. They were learning doctrine, and they continued to do so.

They also continued in “breaking of bread” – this phrase refers to what is called The Lord’s Supper.  It seems likely that the early church met together every day — at least, those who could, but on Sunday, the day the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, they celebrated the memorial meal we call The Lord’s Supper.  The Scripture doesn’t tell us how often to have it, but it is something we should “continue” in.

They continued “in prayers”. Prayer was important to these people, as it should be to every one who is born again.

But I skipped one – they continued “in fellowship”; not merely with each other, but with the apostles.

We can pray alone.

We can study the Scriptures alone.

We can even worship God alone.

But we cannot fellowship alone: I need the company of other Christians on a regular basis — the Bible tells me so right here.  We need one another.  It is as important as learning correct doctrine, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper.

You know, that would make a good question – how many  people do you think would answer “What, according to the Bible, is as important as doctrine, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper?” with “fellowship”?

Some churches hold “fellowships” — but we despise it, or treat it as insignificant. Would we treat the Lord’s Supper that way?  Why do we despise fellowship.

Something to ponder.

 

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On Critics and Criticism (Overview)

Posted on 27 February 2017 by Richard

As I considered this topic, I’ve decided to split it up into multiple posts.

There is a place for critics, no doubt, but I don’t remember seeing any statues to them in the Hall of Fame.

That’s a saying I heard growing up, and it’s purpose, I believe, was to remind us to not be just a complainer, and that’s a good lesson for today.

However…

I have been disturbed for many years now by the attitude of some leaders to criticism. Basically, here are some attitudes I’ve heard (in no particular order):

  • I never bother with anonymous critics; if they aren’t willing to put their name to it, I won’t respond to it.
  • I never listen to critics (I’m too busy doing a work for God)
  • Critics are dogs; wolves among the sheep; goats among the sheep

Nobody likes to be criticized, which is basically saying “you’re wrong”; it’s part of our human (sinful) nature to think we are right in our opinions, beliefs, and actions.

There is the critic who only throws out criticism; he doesn’t appear to do anything but to point out what others are doing wrong.

But there are also numerous people working to being honor and glory to God who are concerned enough for the truth to bring out errors they find.

In the next few posts, I want to examine the reactions I listed above.

 

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Lessons from Mark (questions)

Posted on 11 February 2017 by Richard

Note: I’ve been missing doing writing here; it’s just been a rather busy time.  But, I’m hoping to get back into writing somewhat more regularly.

This little thought comes from Mark 11:29 and Mark 11:33 – for those without a handy Bible or who don’t have these passages memorized, this is the passage where leaders (chief priests, scribes, elders) come to Jesus and ask Him by what authority He was doing “these things” (they were probably speaking specifically about Jesus’ recent actions in the temple – casting out those who used the  temple as a place of business, overturning the moneychanger’s tables, etc.  Many of these people probably had paid good money to these Jewish leaders for the privilege of buying and selling in the temple, and so went to them in outrage over the actions of Jesus).

Jesus told them that He would answer their question after they answered one of His – He asked them about John’s baptism.

It has long intrigued me that not a single one of these leaders seemed to be interested in the true answer to the question — they were all caught up with merely what affect their answer would have upon themselves.  I wonder if we, too, sometimes ignore the truth God would teach us because we are so busy considering ourselves.

They didn’t answer, and so Jesus, holding to the condition He had set forth did not answer them.

The above is a summary of the end of Mark 11 – the lesson that I noted especially from v.33 is that just because someone asks a question, even if they are an authority, does not mean that they deserve an answer. To withhold an answer is not to lie.  Sometimes, no answer is the proper answer.

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Lessons from Mark (rewards)

Posted on 16 June 2016 by Richard

In  my slow, plodding way of going through Mark, reached Mark 9:41 and pondering the verse, it was such a blessing.

Have you ever done anything (or many things) for others, and found them unappreciative?

Or perhaps you do something nice for someone, and they thank you, but don’t mention it. Then, another person does something and is publicly exalted. In such cases, anger and “why did I bother?” gnaw at our souls.

Today’s verse is an excellent antidote to those thoughts…

Jesus tells us that “anyone” — any one at all – that includes you; that includes me — that would give the smallest thing – even a drink of water – to someone because that someone is a fellow believer in Christ, and who does it in Jesus’ name — that “anyone” has a guarantee from the Son of God Himself that the action SHALL absolutely, positively be rewarded.

So, did we do what we did for public recognition?  Or did we do it to be kind to fellow Christian?  Public recognition is so fleeting; the rewards of God are going to be far more worthwhile and lasting.

Let us do good to others as we have opportunity, and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, not fussing about others.

 

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Lessons from Mark (edification)

Posted on 25 April 2016 by Richard

In Mark 9:17-22, there is the story of the man whose son was possessed by “dumb” spirit; also called a “foul” spirit.

From other passages of Scripture, we find that these spirits seem to prefer to indwell living things – those inside of the maniac of Gadera preferred to be sent into swine to being cast of of the man.

But for all that, they are not taking care of where they dwell; the foul spirit in this passage “tore” the young man; attempting to cast him into fire and water.

It seems that all that the foul, wicked, evil, foolish can do is to destroy, even to their own detriment: the “foolish” woman plucks down her house; the maniac of Gadera cut the host body with stones, etc.

Good edifies, or builds up.

Which are we known for?  Do we build people up, or tear them down?  It seems to be our nature to point out what is wrong, but most people have many things that are doing right, or even well, to the one thing that they are doing wrong.

I’m not talking about ignoring error, but why don’t we encourage people more often when they do what they are supposed to.  If we only and ever point out their faults, they will think we don’t think they can do anything right.

Task for each day: find something that someone has done well (there are a lot more than you might think at first), and praise them for it.  It is a matter of practice in noticing and then saying something.

A thought for this day.

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Time Flies

Posted on 12 February 2016 by Richard

So, here at we at 2016; already in the second month, and nearly half-way through.

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here in North Texas, it’s been unseasonably warm.

I had such a good time over Christmas (I had a long break from work) that, when I went back, I couldn’t remember how to log in to the computer. (Now THAT’S a good holiday!)

Nothing very profound this time — just a post to note that I haven’t gone away.

There is only one burning issue I’m thinking of writing about, but I don’t know if I’m quite bold enough.

Anyway, if you read this in the morning, have a great day; if you read this in the evening, I hope that tomorrow will be a great day!

 

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Lessons from Mark (Life)

Posted on 22 December 2015 by Richard

In the first nine verses of Mark 8, there is the recording of the feeding of the four thousand.  I think that we are sometimes so taken up with the miracle that we forget what is going on in the passage.  Without looking, do you know?

Jesus is planning to send the crowd away… it is only because of His compassion to not send them away fasting that led Him to use the supplies at hand and His disciples to feed the crowd.  But His plan was to dismiss them, and He did so, after that had eaten.

This incident tells us that while it is correct to sit and learn and Jesus feet, there is a time when we should leave and attend to our own responsibilities, whatever they are.

It is not His will or plan that His children shut themselves away in Christian-only communities. The blessings He gave us are for us to live through the tough situations – the unfortunate events that happen; the difficult co-workers or bosses.  When we handle these with Holy Spirit-given grace, we glorify Him.

So, yes, of course, spend time with Jesus, but don’t forget that everyone who spent time with Him were also sent away.

 

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