My study and observation of Mark 5 is that Jesus casts demons out of a person and raises the dead. The demons said, “I implore You by God, do not torment me!”. Then the demons at their request were cast out and put into the swine, then the swine rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The demons were no match for the Power of God through Jesus Christ. The exorcism shows that God’s power is greater than anything including demons. The chapter also shows the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus was mocked for saying that the person was not dead but asleep and the people did not know that Christ meant she was dead. Jesus has power over life and death which He showed by raising others and Himself from the dead. Praise God for His mighty power. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 4. Jesus speaks in a parable and tells of the Sower and the Mustard seed. The parable of the sower, has Jesus perhaps speaking of himself as a sower or farmer, and the seed as his word. Jesus tells us that Heaven is like a grain of Mustard seed that when grown becomes great. Throughout Mark 4 Jesus speaks specifically in parables. Mark 4:34 says, “But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”. Parables are figurative stories that teach truth in a very unique way. Those that listen must labor to understand the stories. Mark 4 shows that when the people hear Jesus’ teaching and see His miracles they either follow Him, use Him, hide Him or seek to destroy Him. The parables help those who are serious about learning from Jesus. The softer a persons heart is the more God will reveal. Heaven is impossible for the human mind to understand and Jesus often used these stories or parables to teach people. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 3. On the sabbath day Jesus’ enemies try to persecute Him for healing a man with a withered hand, on the sabbath day. However, Jesus makes it clear it is not wrong to do good on the sabbath day. Jesus is God and has full authority over disease, injury, demons, and the Sabbath. Mark 3:4 says, “And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.” Jesus explains that the Sabbath is for doing good as well as resting. Like it showed in the previous chapter Mark 2:28 says, “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”. Mark 3:35 concludes with, “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”. Praise God. Amen.

My study and observation of Mark 2. It starts with a man of palsy being lowered into the house through the roof. They did this because it was crowded and there was no other way to get them to Jesus. Jesus tells them their sins are forgiven and heals them. This baffled the religious leaders who didn’t know Jesus was God so they said who besides God can forgive sins? Many of the apostles knew Jesus is the Messiah so they would not have questioned the forgiveness of sins and healing. If Jesus were not God forgiving sins would have been an evil act. However, since Jesus was God He had power on earth to forgive sins. Jesus lived a life without sin and in His own right was both equal to God & God. Praise God for His love. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 1. It starts with the prophecy of God sending His messenger John to help people to know that the Messiah has arrived. In Mark 1:10 Jesus is baptized and when that is done by full immersion He comes out of the water, and then God testifies that it is His Son.  Jesus casts out demons and becomes famous throughout Galilee, he also cures a person who has a bad fever, and people with diseases. At one point Jesus was, “indigent Mark 1:41 NIV”, then heals the leper. Just for the sake of historical curiosity, NIV says, “indigent” yet others like NLT say “moved with compassion” this doesn’t affect the verse hardly at all and changes no major doctrine. This affects no core doctrine but might give us some insight into understanding the mind of God. Jesus was constantly being surrounded with people that wanted to be healed. He did have compassion and even if angry did not sin. Jesus loves everyone and loved everyone back then too. Jesus sometimes departed for personal time with God. The love of Christ towards everyone was without limits.

Philippians 4:13 teaches that God gives us strength to do anything we need. It is God who brings strength (Isaiah 40:29) in all areas including the ones we are weak in. God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Bible teaches us that it gives God glory when we trust in Him when we are weak, God never fails. Jesus taught “I will never leave you; never will I forsake you. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 ESV”. God even spoke in the Old Testament telling us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV” “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10” The greatest choice we can make in life is to trust God. Jesus came so that we could be forgiven of our sins, however that is not all God came to give us a better life. The only way to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives is to trust in Him. I’m thankful for God’s abundant grace and mercy, amen.

In Acts 10 we learn that Jesus is Lord of all and that He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day (Act 10:40). The miracle of the resurrection is amazing, the perfect sinless man died but that wasn’t the end He came back to life. Just as Jesus came back from the dead when we accept Him our old sinful nature is put away and Christ dwells in our hearts. Jesus was given authority to judge all people (Acts 10:42) however, His judgement is not for condemnation it is so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life through Him, “…that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43” May, we all trust in Him and receive Him, amen.

Matthew 10:38 says, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”  The taking up of the cross expresses a willingness to endure hard times which may come. It also teaches us that we should conform to Christ’s example of living and if needed be willing to suffer or perhaps die for Him. When we do neither of those things Jesus says we are not worthy of Him. These verses teach us that Christ is the perfect example and we can rest assured that when we follow Christ, He will give strength to endure challenges. Praise God for His Grace and perfect example. Amen

The Bible teaches that when we sin we have Jesus acting on our behalf before God. Through Jesus we are forgiven. 1 John 2:1 says, “…And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”. It’s Good News to know that Jesus is standing before God as perfect and made atonement on our behalf. God loves us and the world so much He died to save all those that come to Him in faith. God will never leave us in our time of need or abandon us as His children. When we trust in God we walk with Him and know that He works things out for good. There may be times and things we don’t understand but God is in control. I’m thankful for God’s abundant grace and mercy. Amen

Jude 1:4 tells us that it is the wicked people in the church who say God’s grace allows us to live a life that does not submit to God, and lives free of any moral compass. That is God is calling us according to Jude to not live immoral lives, we should not be filled with evil or overcome by it, but do that which is good (Romans 12:21). We know from James 1:17 that all good things come from God, who is the Creator of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2), who in great joy laid His life down for us. So the answer is should we continue to sin willingly and rely on God’s grace? God does not like this behavior (Romans 6:1). God warns the church against being lukewarm, we can’t be both good and evil at the same time (Revelation 3:16), Jesus also warns us in Luke 16:13 that we can’t serve both God and our evil desires, we must choose God and live (John 14:6). The question here is not whether we are Saved and the fact God will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32), giving eternal life to some and punishment to the other. The actual question is here, will I choose God or will I choose sin? We must let “…the blood of Christ purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. (Hebrews 9:14).” The blood of Christ was spilled on the cross to forgive every mistake we have made and will ever make. However, when we sin knowingly it is not a mistake but a choice to turn from obedience to God and choose our own way. Sin is both a nature and a choice, Paul tells us in Romans 7:18-20, that he desires to do what is right but does what is the very thing wrong that he doesn’t intend to do. However, further verses such as the Romans 6:1, and Revelation 3:16 make it clear to do good and not take God’s grace for granted. So what type of people should we be? We acknowledge Him as the perfect example, and desire to be as much like Him as possible (1 John 3:2 tells us this!). There is a fine balance between “earning salvation” and “learning salvation”, Salvation is a free gift and does not require perfection (Romans 11:29). However, we should note in Heaven everything is perfect so we should strive to live our lives on earth as we would in Heaven, and no we will not be free of all evil, live a perfect life, and have all the blessings in this life. God does calls us regardless, to walk with Him as we are not of this world but are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). So, the bottom line is and point of this article I have written is live the best Christian life possible, (Matthew 5:14), we are children of light and are to shine in the midst of this dark world. When we do sin we have Jesus (interceding on our behalf and when we don’t sin (do the right thing) we show Jesus in us! We are God’s people (1 Peter 2:5). In conclusion, I am thankful for God’s abundant grace, and mercy and know that as we strive to live for Him we can and will show Christ in us and be a light to this dark and sinful world. I ask my readers to do this, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Jude 1:4, ” I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.”

Romans 12:21, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

James 1:17, ” Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

Hebrews 12:2, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Romans 6:1, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?”

Revelation 3:16, “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

Luke 16:13, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

John 14:6, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

1 John 3:2, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.