Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Thursday October 15, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Mark, please read chapters
6-7 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-15

Today's Message: Dust It Off
In the minds of the community of unbelievers the things of the past will remain with a person all his or her life, but must learn to dust it off and keep our eyes on Jesus. He knows the truth and it will always prevail.

An amazing thing takes place in all believers who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, a new life begins. The sins, bad calls, and mistakes of the past, no matter how great, seem to fade away as we grow more like Christ and eventually become forgotten. However, many family, friends, and acquaintances, whom have seen us before our new life began, have a hard time seeing the new person and quite frankly have no desire to see the new you, but to keep holding on to the old you. He faced the same difficulties as the rest of us do, it is recorded that He had four brothers and at least two sisters. “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” - Mark 6:1-3. These of course were half brothers and half sisters, for Jesus true Father was the Heavenly Father. These members of the congregation were more than offended, they were stumbling and confounded at the wisdom that Jesus had shown them. Here was a local boy, one of their own that knew far more than any one of the community. The people in that immediate community may not see the difference in that person in their mind, for that boy will always remain what their image of him is for His entire life. As far as the people in the Galilee are were concerned, Jesus would always be a carpenter, so what is He doing with all this wisdom and power? It simply didn't make sense to them.

Although Jesus didn't sin, He was human, and as a human He did all the things that Humans do.. He gets dirty and needs a bath just like every one else does, so he becomes common in the sight of His family, friends and neighbors. This is all a normal thing, but it still makes one question why it is so hard to get people to see beyond the normal. Jesus Said, “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” - Mark 6:4-6. It is hard to give special honor to a person that lives in the same house that you do. They seen all His earthly habit, and knew Him to be a human just like they were. So, rather than look to God for the miracles that have taken place, it was easier to look at the individual. If a person had a habit and did something that we didn't like, that is what we remember the most. Those that observe our shortcomings, will not forget those things and this is why it make is very difficult to get through to these people.

Jesus gave instructions to the disciples when going out into the community and warns them not to take it personal if there are rejected, but to dust it off and move on.“In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” - Mark 6:10-13. Jesus is the Messiah, so what prevented Jesus from doing a mighty work in His home town? The answer is so simple. Sick people have more faith than the people that have their health. The sick want relief, it is a lot easier to find faith and get religion when things aren't going right. The congregation had no faith that Jesus was the Messiah. All they saw in Jesus was that He was the carpenter's boy, the son of Mary the lady that worshiped with them in the local synagogue. Even though they marveled at the teachings and the wisdom that He had, they just could not see beyond the hammer in His hand.

We must not let anyone hinder our relationship with Christ. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2. We are not alone, God is with us and He will help us endure all suffering.


Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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