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We move on into Mark Chapter 4 at verse 1. Jesus had no props and no Powerpoint when He was teaching, but Jesus used what was around Him.

Jesus used parables – and it is an amazing tool – like a children’s address in a way, but occasionally people will remember the Children’s Address but not the lesson!

A parable is a story. A children’s address, if it is a story, will even make people smile or laugh, but it is not entertainment.

A parable is more than a story with a moral. They are stories with a meaning – the word means –…  ( Click for more )

We are in Mark Chapter 3 at verse 20 and reading something of the initial reaction of Jesus’ family.

Some saw Him as a fanatic – “beside Himself” – meaning a split personality. That is what they were saying about Jesus. They came to have Him quietly put away.

Family does not always give us the best advice. There may be other motives.

Jesus was disturbing people – risking His life – and perhaps not looking after His business, back in Nazareth, as they saw His business.

Acts 26 verse 24 – They said the…  ( Click for more )

We come to Mark Chapter 3 and verse 7. People had been plotting the death of Jesus and He knew it, and Jesus had to do all that God wanted Him to do.

There is a lesson here on how to live and cope when pressurised. Jesus knew how to handle ‘stress’.

Jesus is unhurried. There is no panic and no feverish activity. Jesus moves among people to do what He knew He had to do.

Jesus withdrew with His disciples. This is an important priority.

That is one reason why Jesus brings us together regularly. It is important – much more important than…  ( Click for more )

In Mark Chapter 3 verse 6, we learn that there is a plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees got together with those who were around Herod – a puppet king. In Herod’s palace there had been a man called John the Baptist.

Herod could not stand rivals and Herod could not stand preachers.

Amazing coalitions take place when hatred enters men’s hearts.

They would not touch the sinners. They would not touch the tax collectors, but they would join up with Herod’s people.

It began in thought. It moved on into words, and then onto deeds and action.…  ( Click for more )

In Mark Chapter 2 at verse 13, following the healing of the paralysed man, Jesus went on to call Levi – Matthew.

Matthew followed immediately without any cajoling or persuading.

Imagine the situation Levi was in. He was collecting taxes for Rome – the Roman occupiers.

Imagine if Islam took over in this country and someone local was appointed to collect the taxes for the new authority – for the Sharia Courts. That could separate you, and cut you off from others.

‘Sinners’, at that time, meant people who were cut off from their local…  ( Click for more )

We come to Mark Chapter 2. “If ever a perfectly good man appeared on earth he would be murdered” – so said Socrates!

Why did this happen to Jesus? Who was behind it all?

Three years after His appearing, Jesus Christ was nailed to a Cross.

Mark helps us understand when the opposition came, and who started it.

People hated Jesus, and Jesus later said, “If they have hated me they will hate you”.

We read in verse 2, that a crowd gathered, and as this crowd gathered around Jesus, Jesus preached the word. People came from all…  ( Click for more )

Jesus Christ began this exciting world changing ministry, with a group of quite ordinary men, who soon would be leading extraordinary lives. Now, there were deeply religious people around at that time - educated leaders in Jerusalem - and down at the Dead Sea at Qumran, there was a community of holy Jewish people - the Essenes. Jesus did not go for them. Jesus made a demand and an offer - Follow me and I will make you. You will still be fishermen, but you will catch men. A wife and home and father had to be left behind. They did not have…  ( Click for more )

By Mark Chapter 2 people are saying - "We have never seen anything like this." There are some thirty healings in the Gospel of Mark. This is the beginning of a journey for these disciples who are to become so involved with this Good News. When Jesus called James and John to leave their father and follow Him, remember Jesus had already left His Father. In Mark Chapter 1 verses 35 to 38, Jesus is up early and praying, and when He hears of the crowds He refused to enjoy this moment of popularity. He had to move on elsewhere. There was work to…  ( Click for more )

We return to the text of Mark's Gospel in Chapter 1 verse 15 where we have the first recorded words of Jesus. This is the first time we hear Jesus Christ's voice - "Repent and believe the good news". Turn around - turn away and go in the opposite direction - in the Bible it is turn away from those things Jesus hates, to the things Jesus loves. The Gospel was and is good news of some event that changed things in a meaningful way - and it is an announcement - a sharing of this message of something that is done for you that changes history - and that changes circumstances…  ( Click for more )

We have read these opening words of the Gospel of Mark, but who exactly was Mark? It can be good to take a moment to consider who this important biblical character might be. It has been conjectured that Mark's mother was one of the Marys - a wealthy woman - with a house in Jerusalem, and with a room large enough to hold many. Acts Chapter 12 verse 12. Who was this Mary? Well, that too gives rise to conjecture but it is indeed interesting. Mark was a cousin of Barnabas - Colossians 4 verse 10 - and Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. Some suggest Mark…  ( Click for more )

Jesus was more than a good man - a healer - a teacher - Jesus is the Saviour and Lord - Jesus Christ - the Saviour who is anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Queen was anointed with the CHRISM - with oil - to be Queen - and to reign. Jesus is the anointed king - anointed with the Holy Spirit. We have looked at the opening words of the Gospel of Mark. This is Mark's account of the Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is not one opinion in this whole book. This is where it all began, and this has transformed thousands of lives…  ( Click for more )

We turn to read and study the Gospel of Mark, having been in the first eight Psalms over these past three months. We are dealing here with the text of what has been regarded and accepted as the first account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark can be a neglected Gospel. It is probably the earliest Gospel, having been accepted as the first for many years. Matthew and Luke both used Mark's Gospel. Mark was a friend of both Peter and Paul, and it has been suggested that his Jerusalem home might have been the possible venue of the Upper…  ( Click for more )

David begins to think of the vastness of Creation - the work of the fingers of God. "Fingers" was used for an embroiderer. We speak of someone having nimble fingers or being clever with their hands. God knits everything together in Creation. We are in Psalm 8 and at verse 3. As a shepherd, David would look up and see the sky and the stars, and he had received this insight as to how it all came about, and it is in very simple language. Verse 4 - What is man that You are mindful of him and the son of man that You care for him? God cares immensely for man,…  ( Click for more )

There is power in the Name of Jesus Christ. Hold the Name of Jesus high, and treat His Holy Name with reverence and respect, no matter how people around you may be abusing the very name of our Saviour and Lord.

We come to Psalm 8. O Lord Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord and King, Your Name is precious to us.

There is power in the Name of Jesus – read Mark Chapter 16 verses 17,18.

In the Name of Jesus we can pray and ask and receive. Read John Chapter 14 verses 13,14.

In Acts Chapter 3 we read of Peter and John meeting that lame man and Peter says to him…  ( Click for more )

If I have done wrong then let the enemy pursue me. He has every right to. We are in Psalm 7 and at verses 4,5, reading of one of King David’s very real battles.

Integrity involves - doing no injustice - not harming a friend – and not taking advantage of someone.

Jesus says to us - Love your enemies - Bless them that curse you - Do good to those that hate you.

If you know of anyone who is cursing you, just seek to bless them.

Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.

When someone really despises you, pray for the individual.…  ( Click for more )

How often have we been in a situation like this? How often have we wanted and needed to cry out to God like this? David's responsibility is to take refuge, and our Almighty God undertakes to deliver him. We move into Psalm 7.

It can be dangerous at times to be a man of God, and do we not need frequent reminding of that?

There are lions going around ready to tear us, and rend us in pieces, with the aim of destroying those who belong to Jesus Christ. That is happening in many nations. Wherever you are, you may be very aware of that being the situation where you live…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 6 and at verse 5, we read of how King David was so upset and ashamed and guilty that he thought for a moment that it was the end.

Guilt is like the warning light in a car. You can ignore it and run into more serious trouble, or stop and deal with it. "Lord, I want to praise You, but how can I thank You and praise You and serve You from the grave?" It is all there. "The wages of sin is death."

Sin spoils a life, and soils the soul, and floods the mind, and affects our conscience, and depresses our spirit, and influences our heart,…  ( Click for more )

None of us likes when someone is angry with us, and none of us likes to be rebuked and reprimanded and on the receiving end of a row.

We come to Psalm 6. The Scripture is so true to life no matter where you are reading. Let the living God bless you as you read this peace and do read Psalm 6.

David knew that God could become angry, and that he deserved to be rebuked. He did want to be rebuked when God was angry! "Do not punish me when you are angry. I know I have done wrong. I know I have sinned against YOU. Lord, do not be angry with me when you punish…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 5 at verse 7, we learn that King David is not going to remain on the outside when it comes to Worship. He is not a man to stand on the fringe. He is going to come into the centre of things - in the place of mercy and blessing. He is going to be where he knows he will find help and strength, and he is going to approach God with reverence and respect.

We do not just rush into His Presence. There is a time for separation - a time to come apart and be with God.

David is not ashamed to come in his need - nor embarrassed to come and worship His God and His King.…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 5, David continues to be troubled, and he continues to pray. David's heart is heavy. He is burdened. This man of God has a real problem in his life, and he cries out to His God and His King for help. He knows that his crying out will reach not only the ears of God, but the heart of God.

Address your cry to the One Who can help. It will not always be words. It might be sighing! David is specific. There are times when too have to be specific in prayer.

Each morning I come before You O God. I will begin the day with You and I will share with You…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 4, we read these words of a chosen anointed man of God who knows what it is to experience distress and worse. David is in real trouble. This is a distressing time in David's life. He has this most serious problem and he cries to God. He calls for help and for relief.

Answers in the past encourage us to call out for help in the future.

David the king relies on the righteousness of God - not anything worthy within his own life.

Man has always needed the help of God.

The manna will fall until we cross the Jordan. Even the best of men need mercy.…  ( Click for more )

If you were on the point of drowning in a river, you would not be interested in a nice polite call for help. This is the quality and type of prayer we read of in Psalm 3 at verse 3, as King David prayed when he was faced with serious opposition.

We need real answers to real prayers. Experience had taught David to cry to the Lord. David knew deep within his breaking heart that God would hear him.

God heard and his fear subsided - the strain eased - the pressure lifted - and there was something His soothing peace.

SELAH - We are told it means Pause - take it all…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 3, we read of a man of God in trouble. These are the words of David the king of Israel. It is a time of personal and national crisis. Not only had some of the people turned against him, but his own son Absalom had turned against him.

David had been chosen and anointed and appointed king in Israel, and he is having to flee from people. He is on the run from his own son, and his heart is breaking.

These experiences can and do appear in the lives of God's people.

The number of people who were against David appears to be increasing. The numbers rising…  ( Click for more )

In Psalm 2 verses 4 to 6, we read of how God reacts to the foolish and folly of rebellious man. We turn our eyes from men to the throne room. God laughs at the puny efforts of man. God is above the malice of man. Man resists feebly only to do himself much harm.

In spite of men God will have His king. In spite of plots and plans and schemes, God will appoint and anoint His man. His King cannot be destroyed because God has set His King and He is established in a solid secure position, and He will reign sovereignly and majestically.

God has set in motion a plan that…  ( Click for more )