Category: Bible Studies

Mark 7:31-37
31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

We are so attached to what we see and hear and speak that we fail to see the true miracle of Jesus Christ. He removed our sins. We will no longer suffer for eternity because of Jesus. We are forgiven because of what He did for us. For you and I and the whole world.

Jesus tells those He heals and those who witness the miracle not to tell. Why? I would imagine it is because, to Jesus, the temporary fixes of this world are not what He came for. He came for our hearts. He knew exactly who to heal and how to heal them. Those He healed would become witnesses to Him for all Jews and Gentiles. It was not random, but rather it was determined prior to every action He took according to what the Father wanted.

We can stand in amazement, but truth be told, all we need to do is thank Him daily. The miracles are promises. So promised that once baptized with the Holy Spirit, you will heal all you touch as well. It is the gift that He left us. You just need to be ACTIVATED. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

This woman saw herself as lowly as a crumb…

Mark 7:24-30
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Blessed are the meek. This verse typifies that precious sermon Jesus gives us on the Mount. This woman said, literally, that even a small crumb, even the waste from the Creator, is enough to do anything. Yes…anything. God will provide. It is our want that drives us crazy and causes man to see only what is lacking and not the cup that is full.

Through this, we see that Jesus, although not wanting anyone to know what He is doing quite yet, allows this heathen Greek woman’s daughter to be healed. It is by His stripes that we are healed. In Jesus’ name.

Through Him all captives are released. He brings the dead to life, heals the sick, all for the glory of God. All for the Glory of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray for your continued blessings from your table, as we know that it is more than enough.

We love you.

Amen
DK

The most amazing teacher to ever walk the Earth didn’t have to teach. He chose to teach because He loves us and always will…

Mark 7:1-23
1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

It is not what goes in but what comes out of our bodies that defiles. In this way, Jesus tells us that who we really are will come through in our actions, both in public and in private. It is so refreshing to hear our Creator tell us how to love and live. It’s a handbook for life. He says not to fret the small stuff. Our little rules are just that, little. Let them go. The ceremony didn’t please Jesus then, and it does not please Him today.

What will please Jesus is love for Him and making sure that He is a part of your day and a part of your life. He is first, and we are second. Don’t mix that order up. All belongs to Him. Pray to Him and thank Him every day. If you are walking, talking, and healthy, it is time to get off the sideline and enter the game. This game has eternal implications, as those who wait until it’s too late will be left with nothing. Make a choice today.

Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior today. Contact me and I can show what He has shown me. It will blow your mind, and it’s all free. The most valuable and precious gift ever given belongs to us. It’s time to RECEIVE it NOW! #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Mark 6:45-56
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

What amazing faith the people had in the ability of Jesus to heal with just a touch of His cloak. That’s strong faith. Even stronger faith is in you as you walk believing in Him every day. Worry not, He knows you love Him.

So why the doubting of His disciples? I would suggest that they were so comfortable with Jesus that they were not afraid to show their dis- or un-belief. They truly believed that when Jesus said to seek Him and ask questions, He would never go back on His promises. He has never, and continues to be consistent and compassionate every day of our God-given lives. Jesus believes in us and loves us. Always. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

I’m sure Jesus loves our questions. I know I love to sit and listen to my son ask me questions. It brings me joy…

Mark 6:35-44
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[e]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Yes! A miracle. Jesus fed 5000 men, not to mention the women and children that were present with them at the time. He fed them all. Yes! With five loaves of bread and two fish. He fed them all!

Do you believe it? Of course you do. Have you doubted it? Of course you have. Why do you and I doubt? Because it doesn’t fit. It doesn’t fit our world. To be able to do that would rob our understanding of how this place works. It is simply not possible! Or is it?

This is Jesus, everyone. Jesus Christ, the Creator and savior of this world and our lives. That’s it. That’s all you need. It is HIM!

Now ask your question… How are we to feed all of these people? Then ask Jesus. Really. Ask Him now. And then go feed them today. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

The love for Jesus prompts our souls to run to Him. It is an irresistible force that keeps us needing to seek Him in all our days…

Mark 6:30-34
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

To be able to learn from Jesus through reading His word is much the same as it must’ve been as these people ran to see Jesus. It was irresistible, and love prompted them to do it. It is the lost sheep that gets the attention. The sheep that is reliant upon God for direction through His Word.

We are the sheep, and He is our Shepherd. Jesus is the perfect Shepherd. The Shepherd who gave His life for the life of His sheep. For you and I. Unconditionally, He gave us freedom from death, freedom from sin, freedom from the chains of this world. Choose to love Him today and find time to be intimate with Him today. He loves you. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

John the Baptist, as the final Old Covenant Prophet, had left quite an impression on those who heard him. He was sent to prepare the way for Jesus…

Mark 6:14-29
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[b] “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[c]; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of[d] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

John and Jesus knew of each other. Jesus was actually baptized by John, and through this John knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Herod had been touched by John’s teachings as he spoke truth. When Herod heard of Jesus, he actually thought John had returned to life.

The execution of John the Baptist is horrible, considering that it came at the hands of one who knew of John personally. Herod respected John as a “Man of God.” But as many of us have and will be in the future, he was stuck with his humanity, and it got in his way of seeing. What Herod did is horrendous and insane, yet there is a man in that body. A man that Jesus died for, as He hung on that cross. On it were our worst, most hideous sins imaginable. Jesus took those for us to the grave, and as He did this…He forgave us. All of us. But a step is required. Pray this prayer now and let Jesus into your life:

Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. Through faith in You, I have eternal life. Thank You also for hearing my prayers and loving me unconditionally. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and determination to walk in the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now you can begin to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Amen.
DK

We should not worry or concern ourselves with this world…

Mark 6:6-13
6 Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Shake the dust from your feet. Yes. Do not let even one speck of dust weigh you down or cause you to stray from your efforts in His name. How many times can you remember that you allowed the response of another to distract from doing the “right” thing? I know I can remember many.

The instructions from our Creator are to shake the dust from your feet and move on. Keep throwing the seed. Keep sowing. Fear not what they will do or say. Move on. Share anyway. Share His love for you. It is through relentless, sheer, and dogged determination that you will spread His word to the masses. Just the way that Jesus did.

It will not be easy. Many will not understand. But if we push. If we press. If we persevere, He will win. The world will change. One spoken word at a time. You are the 12 now. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

This is truly Faith vs. Sight…

Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life, yet it is the blinding effects of this world that did not allow even those from His hometown to see who He truly was. Perhaps if they acknowledged that He was truly the Messiah, they would feel ashamed for not having known sooner. Whatever the reason, an opportunity for redemption stared them in the face, and they did not have the faith to change their own sight.

This earth is blinding. Similar to the way a deer can be caught in headlights and not move, we are stuck in the enemy’s realm if we rely only on what we see and feel. We must give all to Him who created us. Once we do, He will reveal the way, the truth, and the life. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

Jesus will heal and bring you to life even if you do not know how to ask…

Mark 5:35-43
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[c] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Amen! There was a revelation in the middle of this passage shown to me. Jesus was not even asked to raise the dead girl. He did it without being prompted. Those who told the father of the girl to go away lacked the faith and ability of Jesus, or they assumed that Jesus was too “busy” for that now.

We should never limit the ability and love of God shown through Jesus Christ here on Earth. Jesus was able to teach many with this one act, this one miracle. He taught those who told the man to go away that we should not limit His power. He taught the parents of the girl that faith and hope and love are the most powerful abilities in the world. And lastly, He teaches us that even if we do not feel that Jesus can heal us, if we only believe and have faith, hope, and love, Jesus will work in our lives where He knows we need it most.

Today I ask for your prayers for my son Gavin. He is 9 years old and is going in for surgery this morning at Renaissance Hospital. Please pray for him all day long. He is a sweet boy with a beautiful heart for God.

Amen.
DK