How do I know God loves me? Because he sent me Suge!
Joined: Nov 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 94
Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-12) « Thread Started on Oct 29, 2005, 10:06pm »
"[1] And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. [2] And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. [3] And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. [4] And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. [6] But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, [7] Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? [8] And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? [9] Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? [10] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy, [11] I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. [12] And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."
How do I know God loves me? Because he sent me Suge!
Joined: Nov 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 94
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-12) « Reply #1 on Oct 29, 2005, 10:11pm »
As I meditated on today’s reading, the words of a popular contemporary Christian song came to mind. The words goes something like this:
“More than amazing More than marvelous More than miraculous could ever be He's more than wonderful That's what Jesus is to me”
Amazing…Indescribable. In a word – Jesus. Boo yeah!
You know, from the perspective of the Jewish mind at that time, for someone to tell you that the lame could walk and be made whole (so much as to have their sins forgiven as well), you would think that person was out of their mind. However, that is the meaning of the greek for amazing (existēmi) and that word pretty much sums up what jumps out from this passage – Its crazy…beyond description. You just have to have been there and seen it with your own eyes. Who has ever heard of a man who can forgive sins (only God can do that right?) and someone who can make the paralyzed walk (that’s just insane, right?).
Indeed, that is the depth of the amazement experienced by those who witnessed this miracle; but also the amazement of those who were trying to dismiss Jesus’ power in their own hearts and he was able to call them out on the carpet from within their own minds (vs. 6-8). Sometimes, we deceive ourselves by thinking that just because no one else can know our true thoughts that we think we’re fooling God. Indeed, not only does God see all that we do, he also knows the true intentions of our heart, good or bad. While publicly the scribes were careful not to discredit the work and move of God, in their hearts they were in outright rebellion against God in the flesh; going so far as to think within themselves that Jesus forgiving sins was blasphemous (v. 8). It’s a dangerous thing to reject God, in word, in deed or even in your own mind. In fact, in the book of Numbers, Moses lets us know that even if we try to put up a good front, but keep our simmering rebellion to ourselves (in our own minds, of course), in his own time, God will bust us, even us good ol’ church folk:
“Behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out?” (Num. 32:23)
Even as I type these words, I am convicted of my own wicked and sinful thoughts and cry out to the Lord, “Have mercy on me, a sinner, O Lord!”
Joined: Nov 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 38 Location: Northern Virginia
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-13) « Reply #2 on Oct 29, 2005, 10:18pm »
We were recently taught that as believers God is going to judge our very thoughts (of course He is going to judge the very deed done in our bodies); He is going to judge every word we say. However, when it comes to our thoughts, we can't help what we think, other than being careful of what we feed our minds; however, what we think AND DO WITH IT is what counts.
How can I be judged by what I think??? I agree, I repent because sometimes some EVIL STUFF comes up in there. Sometimes much to my astonishment -- "where did that come from?" Can you expound?
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-13) « Reply #3 on Nov 2, 2005, 6:45pm »
Breathed, I think its Paul who writes that we are commanded to control our thoughts by making them subject to the Word and will of the Lord. If we let any and every thought run through our minds rationalizing that we can't control them, we won't be of much use to the Lord. I used to think that I could not help the ridiculous things that I thought, but I found out that I could. Its hard work. And it is not something you can do without keeping the Lord in the forefront of the mind. He keeps his mind in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him. But know that I am not saying at all that I have mastered it. This is an area like Norm said we can hide from men but not from God and I continue to sin in this area. But his grace is sufficient and His mercy endureth to all generations.
Jesus himself said that out of the heart (the mind) the heart speaks. When I find myself wanting to curse someone out, I am reminded of the evil still lurking in my heart. When I want to take revenge on someone for doing me wrong, I am reminded of that same evil. It is a constant battle in this area for me, but I know that the Lord will help me and help me to overcome.
Joined: Nov 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 38 Location: Northern Virginia
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-13) « Reply #4 on Nov 3, 2005, 12:00am »
Pie,
I do agree with what you are saying, for the most part, but I still don't get some of it.
Of course, when an evil thought comes in our mind, we should not hold it there nor entertain it -- the things that come in our minds are governed by many factors.
He will keep us in perfect peace who minds are stayed on Him. Well, we may be in peace, but does that mean that we are not at peace with God and something comes in our minds like when someone angers us, even if we think it for a second?
Not being funny, but who keep their minds on God all of the time? If no good thing dwells in this flesh, it stands to reason (or maybe that is the problem - smile), that thoughts are going to pass our minds, but the problem comes when we entertain them, don't repent from them, and more importantly, when we act on them.
I agree, that we are constantly working on the renewing of our minds. However, I know there have been times when I could be thinking on the Lord, and something almost seems like it is whispering to me unrelated to the Lord -- I know it is usually a distraction. I can't help that it came in my mind -- however, I do repent and rebuke it and go back to what I was doing with the Lord.
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-13) « Reply #5 on Nov 3, 2005, 9:05pm »
Yeah, it does.
I must confess that I do not keep my mind on the Lord always either. I make a concerted effort to keep less than commendable thoughts away. And when I think an "evil" thought, I know exactly where it came from: an area that I haven't completely released to the Lord. Released as in revealed to Him in truth, as if I am only trying to show Him my good side. As if I have one. Ha.
How do I know God loves me? Because he sent me Suge!
Joined: Nov 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 94
Re: Mark Fourth Reading (Ch. 2:1-13) « Reply #6 on Nov 5, 2005, 12:27am »
"BTW, Norm "Boo yeah", now that is OLD SCHOOL."
Aww suki, suki now..don't be hatin on the old school...Even the Bible gives the old school its props:
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." (Jer. 6:16)
See, represent now and ask for the old school..the good way!
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