Mark 8

In my last post I mentioned that I use Professor Grant Horner's system (ish)- only doing a chapter at a time instead of 10.  Since I have been using it for a little while now I don't have the desire to start over so I am going to start where I have personally left off- I am jumping right in to Mark chapter 8.  This chapter is VERY meaty.  I don't know how I will get through the whole chapter but let's see what happens....

Right now I use the NIV Women's Devotional Bible- nothing special and I am not in the mood to discuss versions or translations- this one is readable but I would prefer a good ESV.  But moving right along- my Bible has Mark 8 split into 5 sections.  Jesus feeds the 4,000, the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida, Peter's confession of Christ, and Jesus predicting His death.

My initial thoughts- as stated before, there is so much going on here.  I love verse 12- He [Jesus] sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign?  I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it."  I feel as if this could be speaking to a number of generations.  When I look it up in the Greek I wonder if it should be translated as "peoples or race" only because generation implies that there have been or will be a generation that will not ask for a miraculous sign or there will be a generation that will get a sign (END TIMES?)- *shrugs.

Any way, I love that Jesus loves the people so much that He does not dismiss their need for food.  Sometimes it is really hard for me as a person who suffers from food worries (will there be enough? do I need to bring food with me?) and a person in this day when we are pretty much surrounded by food to believe that these people didn't bring enough food.  Why didn't they plan?  Jesus had to have been pretty amazing if you were willing to go hungry.  Also why did the disciples ask where Jesus was going to get food when they had already witnessed Jesus multiple food before?  Maybe they were being sarcastic?  I like to think that.

This is a good example for us to bless our food before we eat.  I have the sudden urge to search for Jewish blessings for food.  I wish I had more knowledge on this subject.  I wish I had over flowing time in which to memorize a blessing or prayer for Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful reminder for us all.  This video is probably the most simple I could find on the Jewish tradition of blessing bread.

I think the English translation is very similar to a prayer I was taught as a child- "Blessed art thou Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe Who brings forth bread from the earth."  I love referring to God as my king especially in this time of age when we know that no political leader or system will be perfect- only the King of the Universe will reign.

This is all I have time to reflect on this time around but I am so thankful for Jesus and food.  I am on my guard against false teachings aka "yeast of the Pharisees and Herod".  And I am still going to wonder, today, why Jesus healed the blind man with spit?!?  Yuck!  Please, let me be like Peter, and have the ability to recognize the Messiah and continually praise Jesus for dying for me.

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels."  Mark 8:35-38

Today

I will tell you my plan.  I will read one chapter from the Bible per post.  I will write my observations and applications in the post.  I might include a prayer but I feel those may be too personal to post right now.  I loosely follow Professor Grant Horner's system but at a much slower pace (one chapter a day vs. 10 chapters a day).  I like variety so I enjoy jumping from the New Testament to the Old Testament to poetry books etc.  I can understand if that is too sporadic or down grading the Scriptures to a few people but God never said HOW to study the Scriptures.  I believe this is where I can use my Christian liberties.

Once I am done with 10 chapters I will highlight a Christian hero or an important moment in church history.  This is going to be a learning process because I actually don't know many heroes of the faith because...well I don't think they are taught about in church.  I know why they aren't- we are to keep our eyes on Jesus.  But I feel in this stage of my life I want to learn about those who have gone before me.  It is also because I feel like I have been struggling a lot lately and I need to put it into perspective.

I am no one special.  I am a sinner who has repented and by the grace of God is here at this moment obeying the command to study the Scriptures.  I don't usually know what I am talking about half the time, but I love God.  I love Jesus.  I want to understand His Words.  I needed a place to write while I sort through doubts, questions, and a variety of feelings about being a Christian.  That is why I am here.  That is why I started this blog.  Hopeful I don't let God down.

Greetings!

Today I am starting a Bible Study journal.  It is just a coincidence that it is the day after the 2016 election (I promise, it really is just a coincidence).  I have been studying the Bible since I was child and honestly I never liked it all that much.but as I have been getting older and the burdens of this life are weighing me down.  I am turning to a sustaining reliable source that God has promised to keep His Word.  

This blog isn't going to be all that special- just a place for me to write my thoughts and prayers from time to time.  I haven't been very consistent about anything in my life so this could very well fizzle into nothing.  I would appreciate any encouragement along this journey and feel free to start your own journey as well.