Bible Study 1/11/2018

Where do I start? Is there a beginning that is proper or is just starting enough? I often ask myself this question when I begin a project. Do I have all I need, is there a better angle, a glue that will work, a template that will make it easier? We like to get a good start on what we are attempting to ensure success and to make ourselves look good. Admit it- we don’t want to fail. Starting means we have taken a step. We really do want to finish stepping in the same direction not high tailing it and running away. It’s the same with studying the Bible. Where do I start? Well, the beginning is not actually the best part. Genesis can be a bit intense and that doesn’t even bring the emotions that pronouncing the names and going through the laws in Leviticus. So, the beginning is out, where so I start?

Let’s take a simple approach and use your birthdate number. Mine is 1-27. So, Matthew 1:27. Well, of course Matthew 1 only has 25 verses. So, Mark 1:27, The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Let’s look at this verse.  The people were all so amazed they asked each other. First, you see people talking. We do better when we are with others. We are a community. We are better in community. We laugh better together, we think better together, we make decisions better together- God knew that. He made us to walk through life with each other. That, walking, includes asking questions of each other.  So, the people were amazed and asked each other. they wanted to know what their friend though. We learn when we listen to others perspective. We grow when we surround ourselves with others wiser than ourselves.

“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”  I am amazed at a lot of things. When something goes above and beyond what makes my normal day, I am wowed.  They saw a new teaching and authority. People seem to be impressed when others know what to do. When an old-fashioned cook takes over the kitchen, it just runs better than someone who only heats up pizza and hot pockets in the microwave. They felt God’s authority through Jesus. Wow- to sense the hand of God must have been amazing. And they were amazing with his authority and then with his actions. I love it when people come up and compliment me on how I handled a situation. The situation was secondary- how I handled it was primary. That’s what the people are saying. He is awesome, and then, did you see what he did? In that day, impure spirits took over people’s lives and wrecked them. No Sunday dinners at the farm when Uncle Paul has an impure spirit. No one can be around him. Can you imagine the joy of the person who had a loved one restored? It’s the same today. God will take the things in our life, handle them with authority and wow our hearts by simply loving on us and showing us how the demons in life respect and are in awe of God… and obey him. How much more we need to obey the living God as believers. How much more important for us to listen to the one who is giving us love and grace. How much more important to serve, worship and daily give up our hearts to the one who handles the demons of this world.  So, an uncomplicated way to start really opening the Bible and reading… take one verse. Read it and simply think about it. Give God a few minutes to walk into your heart and give you a unique message from His Memo board.