Hear Him 09.16.08

Hello My Friends/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Mark, please read Chapters 8-9 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy & paste this one to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208-9&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jesus feeding 4,000; Jesus healing a blind man; Peter confessiing his faith; Jesus fortelling of His death and resurrection; and His transfiguraton. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter who surrounds us all who call on the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. No religion, person, or object can keep Him away from us. He is calling, do you hear Him?

Jesus and His disciples entered the famous idol worshipping town of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked them who these people think He is. "And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him." (Mark 8:27-30). How amazing it must have been to hear about people who turned to idols repenting and turning to Jesus. This is proof that no matter where you are Christ can come to you and save you.

A short time later, Jesus invited the people to follow Him, but with certain qualifications, "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. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (8:34-38). What this means is that whoever accepts Jesus into their lives will lose the life that they once knew. This in turn saves us as we lose the desire to obtain the lusts of the world. The truth is that it does not matter how much money, fame, or possessions a person has they will never be satisfied.

Six days later, Jesus withdrew from the crowd and takes three disciples, Peter, James, and John with Him to a mountaintop, "And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus." (9:2-4). Elias and Moses were now in the presence of their Messiah, what a monumental event. Moses, who represented God's law, and Elias, who represented His prophets, appeared for the soul purpose of honoring Jesus prior to His suffering, death on the cross, and His physical resurrection (will learn more on this in the book of Luke).

Then Peter spoke, "Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (9:5-7). Peter thought that he was doing a marvelous thing by offering to build three tabernacles, but had his deisre been granted the worship which was due to Christ alone would have been divided between Himself, and two of His saints. Since Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, He alone is worthy of our worship and that is why God Himself spoke, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him".

Today, many Christians are content to worship other things, waiting on that one voice from the cloud telling them, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him". Jesus, needs to be the center of our lives, unlike us as being equal with God, He has no equal. Many have come short of the Savior's best because they never chose to read God's Word, leaving their decision based on other books or speakers and waiting on the one sign from God. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As You formed us in the womb, You set us apart to honor and glorify You. It is a choice each of us must make to listen to Your voice and respond to Your leading. Align our hearts with Your will for our lives so that we will live productive godly lives that make a difference in the world around us and in our own hearts. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Have a wonderful day!
God bless you,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net