a blog for Ashfield Baptist Church
The Bible readings for Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June are -- Lev 27:1-34; Ps 31:9-18; Pro 7:9-12; Mk 9:2-29.
posted by Ps John @ 10:05 PM
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Hi and welcome. Ashfield Baptist Church is a "caring community church sharing God's love". We are very diverse in our nationalities, backgrounds and ages, but united in our desire to grow spiritually and to reach out and help others. Our vision is "to be a body of Christ-like people living out the great commandment and the great commission in the Holy Spirit's power". This blog is mainly for people connected with Ashfield Baptist Church. It has been set up as an "info & chat space" as we start the "THRU IN 2" challenge. This is our program for reading the Bible right through during 2007 & 2008. Many are using the Every Day With Jesus Bible which also has daily devotions from Selwyn Hughes. As we read through the Bible together over these two years, we can use this blog to share insights, stories, reflections, questions etc. The goal is to grow spiritually together. So leave your comments. Together we can help each other grow. Blessings. Ps John. To leave a comment about the readings for a particular day, or to view the comments of others, just click on "comments" at the bottom of the post.
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In the Mark 9 passage, Jesus calls the disciples faithless because they couldn't cast out the demon, but then at the end says "This kind can come out only through prayer." So what method were the disciples using?
Perhaps they were trying to do it in their own strength? Remember at the beginning of Mark we were talking about the disciples being given authority to cast out demons and what that meant with Judas. (The discussion is here.)
As a Christian, I have been given authority too. I've been justified by Christ's death, and his Spirit sanctifies and empowers me. But sometimes (often?) I don't use what I've been given and I try to live life on my own. It doesn't have to be just "spiritual things" like casting out a demon or performing miracles or serving in ministry. Even just living normal life, going to work, or whatever should be lived in God's power.
Peter's declaration "You are the Messiah" (Mk 8:29) is now closely followed by God's affirmation "This is my Beloved Son" (9;7). These were the same words God proclaimed after Jesus' baptism (1:11). Even the demons had acknowledged that Jesus was God's Son (1:24; 3:11; 5:7). Mark is certain and he writes to make it clear to all his readers -- "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God." (1:1)
As Callum says, "Even just living normal life, going to work, or whatever should be lived in God's power." Jesus, the very Son of God, is with us and within us through his Spirit. It doesn't make sense to try and do it all in our own strength.
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