King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Thursday, October 07, 2021
Chapters: Matthew 8, Mark 2, Luke 5
Message: As You Believed
Hello My Friend,
This morning I spent twenty minutes, which I did not realize, trying to schedule in times for fasting for a week. I have some health issues that I am trying to find out what I am eating that is causing them and fasting is the best way to do that. Then all of a sudden I realized what I was doing and asked God to forgive me for using up those minutes on myself when they were supposed to be for Him. I actually had a hard time praying, I could not stay focused and kept jumping from one subject to another. I kept asking God to forgive me for not giving Him all my heart in my prayer. Then God reminded me of something, [Matthew 17:20-21 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.]
No, it is not the prayer and fasting that God reminded me of, although anything we do for our own bodies ought to be done for His glory and not our own. It is this part, [Because of your unbelief:] We talk a lot about faith, after all, without faith we cannot please God because He only responds to us by our faith. Even though we do have great faith in God that does not mean that we always pray that way. As we continue reading through the Gospels, it only took a small amount of time for the news of Jesus turning water into wine, and healing people for him to draw a crowd, as he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, He decided to get into one of the ships that were coming in from their catch, which did not go so well, and speak from it so everyone could see Him. After He spoke He tells Simon, who is Peter to take their nets and go our a little further.
[Luke 5:4-11 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.]
[they forsook all, and followed him.] [Forsake; To send. To cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put away, remit, suffer, yield up.] The key to seeing God even answer our prayers is to literally give up our dependence in everything else and follow Him. Of course, God sends us people in our lives that we trust and depend on to see us through this life that He has given us, but it is not to be solely depended on them or even our own abilities. As much as we like to think that we are capable of making things possible, there are some things that only our faith in God makes them possible. It really is not enough to believe in the Gospel of Christ and ask Him to save us, if we want to believe that all things are possible with God, then it is important to forsake everything else that we come to depend on to make them possible and follow Him. And let me tell you, it was not only Jews that were believing in Jesus, even a Roman commander came to Jesus asking Him to heal one of his soldiers who had palsy, which is a disease that was paralyzing him.
[Matthew 8:5-8,10-13 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.]
[and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.] Do you see what Jesus said, this man did not need to see Jesus heal his soldier, he had faith that He could do it without even touching him. Right there, Jesus let it be known to him that because he believed in Him, the man will be healed. Jesus also pointed out something else, He did not see one of these Jews that were following Him have that much faith in Him. The news must have gotten out that Jesus had healed someone with palsy because we learn of another man with palsy. His four friends found out that Jesus was near by, put him on a stretcher, and literally carried him up to the roof of the house and lowered him down in front of Jesus and the crowd.
[Mark 2:2-8 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?]
[Why reason ye these things in your hearts?] You see, Jesus knew each and every one of their hearts, there was nothing that He would ever do to show them that they too needed to believe in Him in order to be forgiven of their sins. In fact, a short time later, after He healed the man and sent him away carrying the stretcher, He tells them why it is the sinners that get saved, [Luke 5:27-32 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.]
[I came not to call the righteous,] There are two forms of righteous, which is, [the quality of being right morally] and [The righteousness of their persons, as in Christ, His righteousness being imputed on them, and their being accepted by God on the account their faith alone in Him.] So, we who admit that we are sinners and need Jesus to save us from our sin sick disease are made righteous through our faith in Him alone. Those who think they have no sin and refuse Christ will find out the hard way that they are, in fact sinners. Everything we receive from God is dependent upon our faith in Him. In some cases though, God will let our infirmities remain so that they can be used for His glory, [2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.]
You know, the biggest deterrent that keeps people from coming to Jesus is religion, every move that Jesus made was questioned by the religious Pharisees. This time they asked Him why His disciples do not fast.
[Mark 2:19-22 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.]
[but new wine must be put into new bottles.] Jesus always had the right answer to put the religious who think they are all righteous in their place. What Jesus is saying here is that the second we get receive Him as our Saviour we are made brand new, just like some brand new clothes or fresh squeezed juice, none of our own righteousness can save us, it would be like putting that fresh juice in a dirty bottle and expecting it to stay fresh. In fact, did you know that if there is one piece of bad fruit sitting in a basket of fresh fruit, that it will spread to the rest of the fruit and ruin it as well. This is what Jesus is talking about, and why the Bible says, [Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.] We cannot do enough moral good on our own to save our soul, we need Jesus Christ or every good thing that we ever did for God will burnst and be as though we did nothing at all, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
We have a choice, do what we need to do by faith and let God handle the rest, or do everything on our own and dig ourselves into a hole that we cannot get out of. There is a song that has caught my attention, by Mercy Me, “Even If”, this is the chorus, [I know You’re able and I know You can. Save through the fire with Your mighty hand, But even if You don’t, My hope is You alone.] We have to accept that whether we allow Christ in our lives or not, we are still going to suffer from time to time. That does not mean that God is not with us or that we did not believe that He was not able to end the suffering. It means that He is our hope, even when He does not answer us as we wish Him to answer us. Christ suffered as well, in fact, no one suffered more than He did for us, but He got through it, in fact, He died, and arose to prove that even death is not final for all who believe upon Him. As Jesus continues to travel from town to town, people were coming to Him from all around, and He did heal them and cast out demons, just as it was written in Isaiah.
[Matthew 8:16-22 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. 18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.]
[and let the dead bury their dead.] The dead meaning, those who are not received Christ as their Saviour. You know, Jesus has the knack for being direct, He does not sugar coat everything so that everyone would like Him and receive Him. He flat out tells them that if they are going to follow Him to literally leave everything else behind. There is an honest reason why Jesus also says, [Matthew 10:35-38 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.]
If we truly want Christ in our lives, He will have nothing before Him, a parent, a child, a spouse, a job, a life, it must all be given over to Christ in order for us to be able to live the best life through Him. And that is when we can come to Him with our requests, and He will grant them, according to His will, that is, [Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.]
Just because God often answers our prayers in ways that we do not expect, that does not mean that we do not receive what we are truly asking Him for. If we allow Christ to live in and through us, He will give us the strength to endure all the infirmities and affliction that comes with it. You see, all affliction that is not self inflicted comes from the devil, and while the devil does tent to think he is God, even he is under His authority and only allowed to afflict us with so much. When God tells him tells him to back off he must obey. As Jesus was sailing by boat to Gergesenes he was confronted by two men possessed by spirits.
[Matthew 8:28-34 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.]
[And he said unto them, Go.] Satan has to get permission from God to do anything, he knows his time is coming to an end and will do everything possible to get those whom have already received Christ to doubt their faith. Once a person accepts Christ as their Saviour it is for eternity, and nothing or no one can take away our salvation, [John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.]
[they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.] Do you see how the people did not want Jesus there? Let me tell you, the reason why so many people suffer in their infirmities is because they fear if Jesus has all that power to control what Satan can do that He can use that same power on them. Jesus really does not work that way, and He will not come to anyone either unless He is invited in, [Revelation 3:20-21 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I know that You reward those who not only receive You as their Saviour, but are faithful to You. As I walk with You by faith, I face so many infirmities, and even know that You may not remove them all. You have gone before me and cleared the way so that I might follow in Your footsteps and do what it is that You call me to do. Lord, please hear and answer my prayers as I have believed, and even if you do not, my hope is still in You. I am comforted in knowing that I do not walk alone, but walk hand in hand with You as my Guide. May I endure, and see the purpose of all my infirmities with the full assurance that my faith and hope is in You alone. In Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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