Can you Relate?

Be sure to read the book of Mark and always discern for yourselves my view points.  That is the great thing about our bible.  The perspectives are all over the place; just like ours.  The common denominator is all view points lead to God's truth, through Christ empowered by His spirit, which searches the depths of all view points even the view points of God. 

When we do not, or are not "willing" to relate to someone then there is no commonality.  We do not have to agree in all ways.  However, we do have to be willing to respect the relationship.  This is one large factor we are told several truths about by God's word: 

• As far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone.
• Please God not man.
• Be above reproach in all of your ways.
• The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• Seek first His kingdom and all else will be added to this.
• and the biggie...All things are common to man.

So, today we are going to go a bit further as we listen to Mark spin his tale of the Good News and the Way. 

Yesterday we left off with Jesus' baptism by John the baptizer. I have always found it interesting that the bible states immediately the Spirit brought him into the desert where he was tempted for 40 days.  He was there with wild animals and the angels took care of Him.  This always reminds me of David, as he went to King Saul, stating the reason he felt confident taking on Goliath was due to the numerous lions, tigers and bears he faced defending his flock.  He did not tout his skill; in fact it was never even mentioned.  David proclaimed the Lord God Almighty's might and deliverance through each encounter.  He related this in confidence to how God would not fail him as he trusted in this relationship to face the barbarian, Goliath.

Christ was a success in all he faced and the angels did in deed come to his aid; after his success.  Many times, I think we might want the angels to come to our aid prior to us giving our all to fight the good fight.  We focus on our own limited strength and do not open up to stand firm on God's word and let it do the fighting for us.  That IS what Christ did.  Each time Satan came at his vulnerability, lustful human nature etc, Christ didn't enter a battle.  He simply spoke what sustains us - the words that proceed from the mouth of God himself.  It sounds so simple, yet our flesh is so incredibly weak when we do not prosper our Spirit - as our soul prospers. 

Some time after Christ came back from the 40 days, John was imprisoned.  Jesus went on into Galilee preaching a very straight forward Good News: 

• The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is near. 
• Change the way you think. 
• Change the way you act.
• Believe in the Good News

We know we are supposed to seek the Kingdom with all our human strength AND the strength he gives us.  Sometimes we forget this and try to go it alone.  This is never a good idea, but we have to be EVER MINDFUL of God in order to detect these things.  1 Corinthians verse 20 and 21 state: Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the persuasive speaker of our time? Hasn’t God turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense? The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.

I have chosen one verse in particular for each of us to lean on today:

In the morning, long before sunrise, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone to pray.  Mark 1:35 GW

Just because Christ went away from people doesn't mean he was alone.  Today, get away from people and alone with our Lord God Almighty it will delight the Spirit and be rest for your soul.  I promise! (only because His promises are faithful and true).  I hope you Do relate.

With Love,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

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