(R) Adam Davidson

Comment below:
1) People asked Jesus to leave. He did. Does He still?
2) Do you ever feel like your testimony is boring?

Jesus performs a miracle — an unfixable man is now healed — and people ask him to leave. Why? It could be for the same reasons we might push Jesus away: we’re more comfortable with being spiritually sick. We may not like it, but at least it makes sense. Or MAYBE… it’s because our own little economy is challenged by discipleship, which makes sense since Jesus is Lord of all.
What are your thoughts?

Jesus has all authority over the powers of darkness. Don’t underestimate it. Remember this and carry on, friends…

Is it possible that the bible incorrectly refers to mental health issues as demon possession? And how do we discern between the two today?
Historically speaking, the Church has viewed both mental illness and possession with compassion. We must do the same.

We assume we are strong enough on our own to fight the schemes of the devil. Nah. Jesus has the power, not us — which means that we dare not take another step today without seeking the power and filling of the Holy Spirit. Don’t underestimate the battle & hang on to the victory!

It’s a green day (not the band) and many people will talk about ol’ St. Patrick. Listen to what he said about God’s call to repentance, mercy, grace, and power to change a heart — and a nation. That same power moves today and is available to us.

He’s not talking about sharing, prosperity, or karma. No, in this passage, Jesus is reminding us that what He has to say must be driven by a desire for wisdom, considered carefully, and faithfully lived out. You and I need wisdom! The risk is that we’d encounter God’s wisdom and completely miss it because we didn’t “consider carefully what (we) hear…”

Jesus quotes the OT prophet Isaiah, saying in essence that we see and hear but don’t truly understand. It’s a stark reminder that we have to
1) take time to truly hear the Word
2) take time to ponder and seek understanding
3) do something with this revelation

I was challenged this morning by Mark 4:12, thinking “why doesn’t Jesus want people to understand the Word?” but, of course… He does. It just took time to chew on what He’s saying.
Watch, ponder, let me know what you think, and… carry on!

Followers of Jesus are so emptied of self, so committed to the Way, so focused on faith and courage, that people will think we’ve lost our minds. The accusation isn’t our goal, but it just might happen as we follow Jesus…

There are peculiar passages of scripture that we notice for the first time, which causes our perspective on discipleship to shift. Have you considered the fact that disgrace is built in to following Jesus? The world we live in will sometimes see our faith in Christ as disgraceful. That’s to be expected — this isn’t our home. As Jesus endured, so shall we!