Category: Bible Studies

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to teach us. As He taught the disciples, He dealt with all of our human emotions and shortcomings. Yet He loves us…

Mark 9:30-37
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

As Jesus is telling them what will happen to Him in the coming days, they are arguing about who would be the greatest after He is gone. How Human is that? How shortsighted. How just like me.

It is through these very verses that we see the heart of Jesus. His patience, His love, His wisdom, His skill, His undying devotion to a people that would eventually torture and kill Him. As many do on a daily basis still.

Yet the Sun rises on another day. The birds still sing. I get to hear the lively voices of my children. I get to see my beautiful wife again today. How is it that we are blessed with such a wonderful God. We did nothing for Him. He did everything for us, and His love is still eternal. ETERNAL! A word that I am sure we will only grasp when we see His face.

When Jesus taught His disciples, He needed to be far away from the hordes of crowds. He needed to be intimate with them and to be able to engage their hearts. This could only be done in a personal setting. Jesus wants to do that with you today. He wants you to pull out some time for Him and read His words. He has a message for you. A message that will save your life and the lives of thousands of others when you share it. Go to Him today. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

Jesus will always heal us, it’s just a matter of faith…

Mark 9:14-29
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]”

What a gem of a verse. I don’t mean to say that any other verse is not amazing or welcome. However, there is a treasure in here that I had no idea about. What a perfect instance for this to show up in.

The quote is from the father of the possessed boy as he is asked by Jesus if he believes. The response from the father is, “I do believe; help me with my unbelief.” When Jesus heard this, His heart must have been so full. It is an incredibly hope-filled statement, and whether or not it comes at a desperate point in his life or not makes no difference. He was full of Faith. That is all Jesus wants from us.

It is through our imperfect faith. Through our lack of tradition and lack of ritual, Jesus finds our hearts on display. Our true selves. He does not want us to pretend. If we hurt to understand Him, then He will show us. It is not necessary for us to pretend to know Him. It is simply necessary to want to know Him. That is enough. And our God is a God of Enough. He will then provide the surplus in our lives.

So tonight, Jesus I ask you, “I believe in You Jesus, help me with my unbelief!” #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Peter, James, and John are first-hand witnesses to this amazing event…

Mark 9:5-13
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

The most obvious miracle in these verses is the Transfiguration itself. Jesus glowing, and Elijah and Moses appearing before the apostles. An amazing miracle indeed. Jesus is still teaching though. We must receive the lesson.

Peter asks if he should put up three tents for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. He also says that it is good that they are there. Peter is eager to please. The issue here perhaps, is that Peter seems to be running ahead before instruction is given.

Many times I have tried to do what I think should be done without praying and placing the plans before the Lord. I will probably do it again soon. My intentions are good, but all that I plan to do must be placed at the feet of God for approval. To act on my own feelings will only bring either utter failure, or only a very small measure of temporary success.

Today we must not run ahead or fall behind where Jesus wants us to be. We must not assume we know what God wants us to do before asking Him. In prayer, we must place all of our well-intentioned plans before the Lord for His approval. If our plans are acted upon with the approval of God, we can never fail.

One of the most powerful, if not the most powerful lines in these verses is, “This is my son, whom I have sent. LISTEN to Him!” It ends with an exclamation point. This is our instruction. We must listen to Him in all we do. In order to listen, you must first be able to hear. To hear Him, you must pray to Him.

Amen.
DK

Truth…

Mark 9:1-4
1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

What a scene. Jesus is transfigured and transformed into something amazing. Proof of who He was was right before them. Not only did He change, but Elijah and Moses appear before them. It was a sign.

This sign was meant to be seen. Not for proof, but rather for confirmation in front of man. I love the responses to come from Peter, James, and John. You will see their hearts, as Jesus did. This was truly a miracle. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

Jesus is speaking to all of us…

Mark 8:34-38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 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.”

It is our turn. Our turn to do His will in our lives, and cast aside our own. It is time to listen to Him and heed His words of instruction. For the day will come, when we will stand in front of the Father and Creator of this Universe and answer to Him for what our lives have stood for.

Do not let another day pass by without calling out to Him. There is no formal way of doing it. There is no right or wrong way to call for Him. Try this…go find a room by yourself, close the door, lift up your arms to the sky and simply ask God to come into your life. That’s it. He will come into any area that you ask Him to. From there, it is now His responsibility to ensure your success and significance as a Christian.

Amen
DK

This was the only way. Jesus knew it…

Mark 8:31-33
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Just the other day, I had this amazing confirmation of getting to know Jesus better. I was waiting to coach in the tournament in Houston and suddenly the veil seemed to be lifted off of my eyes, and I felt like I knew Jesus more than ever before. It’s hard to explain, but I know that it is coming from the fact that I seek Him daily and every night. He is my Shepherd.

When I read the above verses, and I read of Peter rebuking Jesus, I can really understand Peter’s reaction. As we know, Peter is of this world, as are we. What I like most, though, is the response from Jesus. He rebukes Peter. Rebuke means a sharp disapproval of a particular act or something said.

The understanding that He has given is one of a true teacher. The best teacher. A teacher who had to learn the Law that He passed down as a man, not as God. He learned the Law perfectly so that He could clarify it for us.  That is what He came to do. So, Peter is looking through the eyes of this world, while Jesus looks through the eyes of eternity and of salvation. I love to be rebuked. The direction that it sends you and the valuable lessons learned from Him are amazing. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Tonight. The topic is love. I was watching a documentary on the 1 Percent in America, and I have to quote this man that was driving a van talking to the grandson of Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals. The man said:

“My family is one of the richest families in the world, but not with money. With love, kindness, calmness, and patience. Qualities that are worth more than money, and you can’t buy that.”

The doc is called the 1 Percent. I am not a Socialist, by any means. I am a lover of Christ Jesus and His teachings.
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

Mark 8:27-30
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

We are Him
He resides in us.
He will never leave us.
He has set up a permanent camp in you.
He died for you.
He is waiting, with arms wide open for you.
He loves you.
Tonight, or just before you gobble down that turkey tomorrow, raise your hands to Him. Thank Him. Love on Him. It will be the best-tasting turkey you ever had.

God Bless you all. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. Eat, drink, and be Merry. But…bring Jesus to the table. Prepare a place for Him, as He has prepared a place for you.

Jesus is the Messiah. The Savior. The Redeemer. The Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Raise Him high in your house. Place Him at the Head of Your table. Give Him thanks, because every heart that beats, beats for His glory.

Amen.
DK

Jesus must know our hearts….

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

I love my commentary on the Bible by Warren Wiersbe. This verse required study.

Upon reading this, you would think it deals with Jesus just healing another blind man. There is more. Healing is not just healing, it’s teaching how to heal. They are lessons on the supernatural method of healing an injury.

As I have read through the Gospels in Matthew, Luke, and now Mark, I have found tools to help me through this life in His name. I have found a way to heal. I didn’t even know this existed prior to last year. I had heard of it, but I was always skeptical. However, the more I get to know Jesus, the more I realize that the restrictions of this world are not meant for me. As a believer in Jesus, my instructions come from Him and Him alone. He is my Way, Truth, and Life.

In these verses, Jesus is showing us how to use the tools He left us. How to activate. It’s awesome. Let me share the methods used:

1. Don’t seek after signs, but live by Faith in His Word.

2. Trust in Jesus to meet needs.

3. Avoid false doctrine.

4. Let Jesus work as He wills, and experience the variety.

With these four rules to guide us, we can learn to remove the limitations of sight. It is our eyes that fool us, and at many times our false understanding of this world. Hand it over. Give Him the keys to the castle. After all, it’s His anyway. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

How quickly we forget in times of trouble. Remind you of anyone?

Mark 8:14
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Down to the very last detail, Jesus is teaching. He has them remember and compare the baskets of leftover bread after feeding the 5000 and then the 4000. He has them remember. This goes to show just how deliberate and well-planned all the miracles were. Every single angle and every detail taken into consideration. This is the lesson that we must learn. The product of that is faith.

The focus of this verse is on the inability of even those closest to Him to see that they will always be taken care of. The lack of trust and understanding that plagues our walk on this earth, and the need for His teaching to make our way towards the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Towards Jesus.

The questions Jesus asks are incredibly thought-provoking and should serve as a reminder to us that Jesus elicits change in our lives. That He expects it, and He will forever know our hearts.

Love your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind first. Then love yourself the same way. Then you will be able to love all others. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

Jesus sees the strong faith of these people that love Him. And as promised, He takes care of them…

Mark 8:1-13
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

The miracle of the feeding was not meant to be seen as a spectacle. After all, He is God in human form. This miracle was something that is promised, and Jesus explains in the Gospels that as believers we will be taken care of. Still an amazing event.

Once all had eaten, there was still food left over, miracle #2 in this scene, which goes to show us that God not only provides enough, but He provides more than enough. Remember this scenario this Thanksgiving when you are stocking away leftovers.

Lastly, the Pharisees ask for a sign from Jesus. A timed event that would “justify” Him in front of others so that they can believe. Jesus just doesn’t answer, He sighs. A deep sigh of sadness, I am sure. He knows us. He knows all of us.

Remember that time you prayed and asked for a sign? Well, the signs are all around us. Every morning when you get up is a sign that you are forgiven. Every heartbeat a miracle. Every breath a gift. Even if you are in the valley right now, in a rough patch, in a dry season, He is with you. Helping you through. There’s your sign. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK