A Prophetic Walk Through the Gospels
Bishop Greg Nies Sr.
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Greg Nies Sr.
ISBN 978-1-935621-80-5
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
To my wife, Terri, for her support, prayers and encouragement.
Acknowledgements
My appreciation to the Lord Jesus. Without His Mighty Blessings, this book would never have been written. A special thank you to Barbara Rios for her help in editing this book.
Preface
This is another step in the spiritual walk of Greg Nies Sr. God has been leading him into the spiritual realm and has given him spiritual insights. He has written over thirty books relaying his time in Heaven and Hell, his personal testimony in My Journey Through Time and numerous devotionals including From My Heart to Yours, as well as a children’s book entitled, Johns Travels. Today, we walk with Greg as he takes us into the world of the Christian life.
Introduction
There is a constant battle for every person alive. It rages between Satan and Jesus and it will lead them into victory in the Spiritual Realm or the Natural Realm. ONLY by the victory in the Spiritual realm will we get to heaven for eternity. In the meantime, we are to live a life that is holy and separated unto Jesus. Our enemy, Satan, knows that and seeks to mislead, divert, discourage and lie to us to get us off track. He knows that the only way he can hurt God, is to get us to give up on God and heaven. Here we will observe the results of an average life, starting with the end and going back to see what really happened, and the results of the decisions that were made.
Gospel of Mathew
Matt 15:8 (KJV)
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
We are in a world of lip service and empty words. The hearts of the people today are far from the Lord and their words are empty and hollow. There is no meaning in those words spoken to the Lord. For they have chosen to only put empty words before God that have no real meaning to them. Rather they chose to use all their words on the flesh and on man in the natural way. To speak to God, we must have our hearts and whole being focused on Him. It is not a casual encounter or an easy matter to come before the Almighty Lord. Many come before Him with repetitive chanting. Jesus has already warned us about doing this very thing and that it won’t be honored by Him. So we have a decision to make, and that is one of obedience to the Word of God. We must decide if we are going to walk in obedience or not.
Thank you Jesus for reminding us to be obedient
Matt 16:24 (KJV)
“Then said, Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Self is so important to everyone today. People are living for themselves and are focused on self-edification. Many people have lost their perspective and they are looking to build themselves up. God has told us that we are to let go of self and focus on Him. It is important to look to God for a different direction in life. If we humble ourselves and take self off of the throne of our hearts, we will live eternally. To come to God and to deny self is the most important decision that we can ever make.
Thank you Jesus for eternal direction
Matt 18:18 (KJV)
“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
This is a significant word from the Lord and it clearly states that we have a part in the whole process. It is not something that just happens by itself. Rather, we have to make a decision on what we want to happen. If we decide that we are binding something on earth, then it will also be bound in heaven. When we decide that we want so have something loosed on earth, then it will also be loosed in heaven. God has given us a method of power, connected to heaven and released with faith filled words through binding and loosing. Our decisions to bind and loose will have eternal ramifications and significant effects on our direction and destiny. We are significantly deciding the direction of things by our decisions for they will have eternal result.
Thank you Jesus for your gift and guidance
Matt 19:24 (KJV)
“And again I say unto you. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
In today’s society people are more concerned about material possessions then their eternal destiny. Scripturally, in order to go through the eye of the needle, one would have bow low and strip themselves of all they were carrying. A camel would have to get down on its knees and take off his load to get through the eye of the needle. Once they were able to get through, then they could pick it up again. Man has to bow low in submission and get rid of all the natural things that they are carrying if they ever expect to get into the kingdom of God. This is a change in attitude from what is taught to many today. We now have to change our life style to go ahead in humbleness and surrender to the Lord
Thank you Jesus for this opportunity
Matt 19:29 (KJV)
“And every one that hath forsaken house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Jesus calls us to come to Him fully and completely. We are to surrender all of ourselves and to give up everything earthly. This can seem like an extreme demand from Him in the natural. When we answer His call and do what He has asked us to do, we are going to find changes happening to us that are not too extreme in the spirit. Especially when you consider the promises He gives to us in response to our obedience. The blessings we get are far greater than the cost is to us. These are eternal blessings for eternal and everlasting life.
If we do all of this with the right heart and purpose to the Lord, then Jesus’ response is exceedingly above anything we could ever expect.
Thank you Jesus for your blessings!
Matt 20:16 (KJV)
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
The Lord is speaking to all people and telling us that He has called us to serve. Everyone should walk in a true sense of humility and submission to the Lord. It is essential that all of God’s people gather together in the Name of the Lord in unity. If we were to go back to the original language, we would find that the correct interpretation really reads, “Many are called, but few choose.”
In other words, the Lord calls all people, but out of all the called, there are but a few that choose to answer the call of God. Many are walking around with the name of God on their lips, but have the devil in their heart and the world on their minds. It is time to change our direction to follow the Lord faithfully.
Thank You Jesus for calling us!
Matt 20:27 (KJV)
“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
There is a trend within the church where many people want to be served by others. They have decided that they want a system where ‘self’ is the most important thing to them. The world has established itself strongly in the church and the real question is, “Who is leading the people?”
Many give lip service to God while really living for the world. They sing songs, have drama and share worldly ideas without any Word.
Many people want to lead, but the Lord tells us that we are to be servants first before we can ever consider being chief. It is critical that we look to the truth of the Word, and the words of Jesus and walk in them. We have to balance our priorities to the Spirit of God and not the satisfaction of the flesh.
Thank you Jesus for opening our eyes!
Matt 21:13 (KJV)
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
The time is here to make an eternal decision. The house of God has to be a house of prayer. In today’s world, the house of God has become everything else except the house of prayer. There are dramas, concerts, shows, meetings, and lastly God’s house of prayer. The time is here to turn it all around and back to where it started; prayer. The call of God to all His people is that we are to come back to Him in prayer. Then there will be the victories that we are all looking for in life. This is to be our place and our time to answer Him in prayer and give glory to God. Amen!
Thank you Jesus
Matt 21:21 (KJV)
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this, which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”
There has been a spirit of doubt sent across the land by the devil. It is meant to destroy the believer’s focus and faith. The devil is trying to keep us from going ahead in Jesus. That is how subtle our enemy is in his methods. He will lead people into thinking that there is no hope and that everything is lost, but we have to refuse to accept those lies. We must determine and decide that we are not going to fail and have faith that God is with us and for us every day. We have and are walking in the victory that Jesus won for us 2,000 years ago. Standing in faith and knowing that we can walk like Jesus did, will give us the opportunity to rise up and walk in victory every day.
Thank you Jesus
Matt 21:22 (KJV)
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
All things include everything that is possible. There is nothing left out of order. We are to take and release all things to God in prayer. Our prayers are to be prayers of agreement. We are to be in agreement with our Lord and Savior, who has already declared His Victory in our lives. Our lives are an open book to Jesus and He is instructing us to give Him everything in prayer. The condition is that we have to believe. We can always pray for all things and still not believe that we are going to get an answer. But if we give Him anything in prayer believing, then we will receive the answer. Belief is a condition of prayer and faith is the ingredient.
Thank you Jesus for guidance
Matt 23:12 (KJV)
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Pride has taken over the world and the church. Many who were humble have become very prideful in what they know. They Lord it over others and use it to take advantage of them and to control them. This is not the way God intended it to go. We are to fill ourselves with the Word and become humble in this life. Then through that humility, we can become examples to others and that is what will lead them to Jesus. God will not let the prideful into heaven. He will humble them and bring them into proper order in this life. If they submit and surrender to God, then He can lift them up.
Thank you Jesus for showing us the way
Matt 24:4 (KJV)
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take Heed that no man deceive you.”
Today there is a strong spirit of deception that has been sent upon America. It is as though people are saying “Oh, my deception, give me as much as I can get!” That attitude just shows how people can be deceived! They are looking for ways to justify themselves in the world without any consequences. They think that they can ignore the truth, deceive others and go on their merry way. It is taking over the world and many are being lost, dying and going to hell. Then they are angry and say God did it to them. God NEVER sent anyone to hell! We choose to go their when we ignore truth and are disobedient to Him. People are willingly deceived when they believe the lies of the devil and are lying to themselves. God has done all he can do for us and now it is our choice whether we go to heaven or hell. It is our choice if we are deceived and ignore the truth.
Thank you Jesus for preparing us!
Matt 24:12 (KJV)
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Jesus is talking about the end times when He refers to iniquity abounding. All restraint has been removed and full scale rebellion is rampant. It is able to begin because there is an attitude or potential to sin that is already present. We have a choice to make for our world and our lives. For us to respond in the proper way, we have to be prepared to resist the temptation and pursuit of sin. It is critically important that we wake up before our love grows totally cold and frigid to the warmth of love. The release of truth in our lives will awaken a seed of God within many. That is one potential. The other potential is that the Spirit of Rebellion is stirred with in an equal number of people. This shifting and stirring is about to clash and possibly cause conflict in our lives. We must stand strong in Jesus and His Word!
Thank you Jesus for protection!
Matt 24:13 (KJV)
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
It has been said by many that this is the way it started. As good as that is, I ask you, what have you done since that time and day? How have you lived your life in Christ each and every day? Have you put Him who is first or last? The key point is that it’s more important how we have finished our walk in Christ than how we started. Where will we be at on that final moment when we are called homeward? As Paul asked, will we be found in faith, strong in the Lord? Are we prepared and ready to meet Jesus, right now at this very moment? None of us know when we will be called. Therefore, it is up to us to stay ready every waking moment. So many I have met are thinking that if they do all the right things, then they are guaranteed to go to heaven. NOT SO! The only way is to endure to the end.
Thank you Jesus for reminding us of our responsibility in you
Matt 26:41 (KJV)
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Here is another warning from the Lord that we are to watch and take care that we don’t get into temptation. We might declare that we are strong and willing to do what we are told and not to do what the Lord warned us about. This is a key point for us to keep in mind, the warning of the flesh, because the flesh has to come under control and be strong against temptation. To be strong in the Spirit as well as willing, is a decision that each one of us must make. We are encouraged to watch and pray. In other words, we play a significant part in this process. We are to be strongly aware and watching always everything that is around us. This is so that we are not caught unaware, and the enemy cannot get close to us in our daily life.
Thank you Jesus for the warning!
Gospel of Mark
Mark 1:10-11 (KJV)
“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This is the most dramatic and significant declaration of the Trinity in the Bible. The heavens open and the spiritual realm is visible to the natural. The power of authority and from on High is being displayed on earth. The Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove initializes the change in the spiritual realm with His arrival. All of the earthly powers of Satan are now trembling. There is the declaration from the Father about His pleasure in His Son. The voice of the Father was heard by all of creation and it sounded like thunder to their ears. All of creation has been waiting for this time to come. Mankind will now have the opportunity for deliverance from demonic oppression.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 1:15 (KJV)
“And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
All of creation has been waiting for the fullness of time to come. It has been a long time and a long walk to come to this point. Everything had to be lined up and prepared for Jesus to come to earth to restore all that had been lost. The prophets throughout the centuries were sent to give notice to mankind of the Lord’s coming. They were telling the people to prepare themselves and stop living the lives of destruction that they were living. God sent the prophets to speak His words but the people were not listening to them. Even the royalty that the prophets spoke to were putting them in prison because they did not want to hear what they had to say. Things have not changed much over the years and we see leaders not willing to hear the truth today either. The truth is that Jesus is returning whether we want Him to or not.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 1:17 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”
Hearing the call of Jesus is something a person will never forget. Jesus did not repeat Himself to any individual, but He is faithful to His Word. We are all called to come, but not everyone will choose to answer. Being called by Jesus is life transforming. When Jesus does call us to come to Him, we are given an opportunity of a life time and we have a choice to come and follow Him or to reject Him. Responding to the call of Jesus will give us the opportunity to affect lives for eternity. There is much joy in responding to Jesus and reaching out to the lost and lonely. Seeing lives totally transformed before your very eyes will give you a greater understanding of what Jesus died for. There are far more people than we realize who are crying out to Jesus to send someone to them. You can be the answer to their prayers by being a fisher of men and fulfilling the purpose that you were sent to earth to do. This is a daily opportunity where we can deliver Jesus’ love to everyone around us. Rejecting the call of Jesus can affect where we spend eternity. Eternity is longer than we understand and when you reject Jesus, you will continually think about what you let go of and refused.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 2:5 (KJV)
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Jesus is trying to open the eyes of our understanding to a realm that we are not aware of. The spiritual realm is far reaching and deeper than any of us realize. If a person has accepted Jesus and is walking in the spirit, then they can expect many things to open up to them. We can actually see where a person’s faith is and what their faith is in. It is true that you can see a person’s faith by their works, but there is another level of seeing in the spirit that will reveal our faith. Here Jesus was seeing to the heart of the matter and He knew that they had the faith to be healed. There are physical manifestations of our inner condition that will affect our lives. In other words, we can be physically sick because of unforgiveness in our hearts. Many times a person has arthritis because of bitterness and unforgiveness. This is not true in every case but it is definitely a reason to go before the Lord and repent. Unforgiveness will send you to hell. It is a major reason that Jesus came to earth. We try to get healing from the outside in without dealing with the inside situation. As we determine and decide to walk in forgiveness, our lives will be more complete and peaceful.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 2:17 (KJV)
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous, to repentance because they need to be made whole. Our purpose and our goal is to call sinners to repentance. He did not say that He came to beg them, plead with them or convince them to come to repentance. To call means to speak loudly to all who are around and to continue calling to as many as possible. This is to be a continual presentation on an active moving basis to the multitudes. To call is an active action with words sent out to as many as possible. We have to follow Jesus’ way and He went from place to place to reach as many as possible. He was clear in His call and very direct in everything that He did in life. There are so many people who are lost and have never heard about Jesus. We must be about the Lord’s work reaching as many as possible. It is too easy to get caught up with the whiners and the complainers. Jesus gave us the example to follow and we need to follow what He taught us to do.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 2:19 (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”
Once again, the religious had to attack believers because they were not following the traditions. That is still happening in the church today and it is meant to discourage believers from getting too free in the Lord. The religious still fight with the move of the Holy Spirit. Traditions die hard and are ingrained in the lives of people. When asked why people do certain traditions they usually cannot even explain why they do them. Back in Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were insisting that people do what they said, even when they themselves did not do it. Today there are many things done for show and applause within the church. Jesus was letting them know that His people were not going to follow the traditions as long as He was with them.
Thank you Jesus for setting us free
Mark 2:22 (KJV)
“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”
The new life in Jesus Christ must not be put into our old lives. Our old lives, ways, and ideas are no match for the truth of Jesus. This new understanding in Jesus does not want to grasp or hold onto the old ways. Religious ideas and old traditions cannot enter the new life that Jesus brings. Mixing the new wine into an old vessel will cause it to literally explode. Jesus cannot be contained and will therefore expand beyond the old vessel. The traditions of man will try to contain and control the truth of Jesus. It will try to apply the truth in the old ways putting it into a controlled environment of the flesh. You cannot mix the spiritual and the flesh and expect a good result. We have to be willing to change ourselves so that we can be effective in Jesus
Thank you Jesus
Mark 2:27(KJV)
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”
Bringing things back into order, Jesus is reminding us that the Sabbath was made for man. This was the way that the Lord provided a day and a time where all men could worship Him. Man was shown the proper way to have an established time to gather in God’s house with others. This answered all questions that man would bring to God. Then there would be an order and a process to our lives to bring all things together. We have an opportunity to step forward in the Lord. Every day it is another step into His presence or back into the world. The path that we take and how we respond to the Lord is our own choice. It is very important that we are reminded of our direction in the Lord. God prepared the Sabbath so that man would be able to refocus on Him. We need to remember and not forget what we have been called to…Him.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 3:24 (KJV)
“And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”
We are living in a society that has had a problem with focus. It has taken our purpose and direction from the Lord and attempted to scatter it. The devil knows that if he can divide the kingdom of God he can win many battles. Therefore, he has taken the same old ideas and used them over and over again. They worked in the garden and they are still working today. He seeks to get people to doubt God and to question what He has told us to do. He seeks to keep people from the victories of Jesus on the cross. He wants to keep emotions ruling in the hearts and minds of everyone. That way the devil is able to keep us fighting against ourselves and our hearts and minds in a state of turmoil. With Jesus and the Word in our hearts, we can walk free and be delivered from bondage.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 3:28-29 (KJV)
“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”
The Lord will forgive the many sins of mankind, even blaspheme. Individuals have taken a stand against God and they have such anger and rage against him that their words speak their heart. The intensity of people’s words against God knows no time or boundaries. They are willingly berating Him on a regular basis as the devil leads them to do. Unfortunately, many do not even get it or understand what they are doing. The deception runs deep in society and the separation between the natural and the spiritual is growing greater and greater. There are few who are aware of the eternal or of God. Blasphemy means nothing to them and to blaspheme the Holy Spirit fits right into their hard and callous heart. If a person does not fear God, then why would they be concerned about eternity and being eternally lost?
Thank you Jesus
Mark 3:35 (KJV)
“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
The understanding that we are to do the will of God in our daily lives is very important. Many do not think doing the will of God is very important at all. Some don’t even understand what the Will of God is. When walking through life, we have many opportunities to make Godly decisions and responses. Following through on a word from the Lord can completely change your life, just as denying a word from God can. Doing the will of God in life can help us develop a closer relationship with Him than we have ever realized. Doing the will of God takes us from the outer circle in our relationship with Him to a more intimate one. There are many decisions that we make on a regular basis that will keep us in the will of God or draw us very far away from His will.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:9 (KJV)
“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Jesus’ call for us to listen to Him shows how much people were not listening. It is very important to have a hearing ear for the voice of the Lord. Listening to God will put a person in a new place with Him. God draws near to those who are listening to Him and especially those who are obedient to His words. It is an awesome opportunity for the God of the universe to speak to His people. God is not in the business of repeating Himself. When we take the time to listen to the words of God, it will transform our lives. The word, let, is a permissive verb that says the power to do what is being said is with the individual. We have a choice and can choose to use our God given ears for the purpose they were given to us. Listening to God and following His directions has been a problem for many over the years. It is time that we change and choose to listen to an ever speaking and hearing God.
Thank you Jesus! We Choose to Hear!
Mark 4:11 (KJV)
“And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:”
What an awesome blessing it is to be given this opportunity by the Lord. We are His chosen people and we have been given the ability to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. This revelation is something that is not opened to everyone and the rest of the people will only hear parables. Only those who accept the Lord as Savior and seek His presence daily will see and understand what He is saying. By doing so, we will be given understanding about God and His activity in our daily lives. The mysteries of the Kingdom of God are on higher spiritual plain than basic word level understanding. Where those who don’t seek the Lord and see, we have the light of the spirit to open up the depths of the word to us. This enlightenment gives us the strength that we need for daily living. It will show us the true way and will guide us away from trouble if we listen to what it says.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:21 (KJV)
“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?”
The people of God have to come out with the light that the Lord gives to them. They are supposed to let that light shine everywhere they go. The light of God will overtake the darkness. There is fear in the earth and many people are choosing to hide their light in fear of others. We are not to be intimidated by the enemy and hide our light. In the scripture, Jesus says specifically not to put away our light or to hide it. The light of the Lord has been sent to brighten the world. It is time that we listen to the Lord and live like He has told us to live. We are to represent Jesus in the light of day and our light is supposed to overtake the darkness of the night. Jesus has said that we are given the light to transform the world and to affect the lives of others for the kingdom.
Thank you Jesus for being our light
Mark 4:22 (KJV)
“For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad.”
People have to realize and accept the fact that you cannot hide anything from the Lord. Even when it is night in the natural, God sees everything that happens. Everything in life is going to be revealed some day and both the truth and lies will be exposed. Taking a step forward in the Lord requires that everything be exposed and revealed in our lives. God already knows everything, so why not admit what we have done or didn’t do in rebellion. By doing this, we will be in a better place and the coming judgments will not be so severe if we judge ourselves first. Today deceit is running rampant among society and we have to keep ourselves separate from that way of life. Purity and holiness should be the way of a believer and it will keep them.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:23 (KJV)
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Creator of all knows that He has given His own creation ears and the ability to hear. Many do not have their ears or hearts open to the words of the Lord. The Lord is always speaking, but people must believe and choose to listen every day. Their listening or lack of it will determine their eventual place in eternity. They will determine their eventual place in eternity by their own actions on earth. It is a battle of the will that many are engaged in daily. The word, let, says that we all have a decision to make determining what we will listen to from the Lord. Even though we have the physical ear, it does not mean that we are willing to use that ability to hear the Lord speaking to us. It is an opportunity of a life time that each person can take advantage of or refuse. In today’s society everyone is walking on a tightrope, and their actions and words will either keep them on the right path or cause them to fall.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:24 (KJV)
“And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”
In a world where communication is very high, we have to discipline ourselves. This scripture warns us to be careful about what we listen to and hear. Not everything that comes our way is worth listening to, especially that which invades and destroys our peace. The vulgar, disgusting, and negative words are unworthy to allow into our minds and hearts. At the same time, it is critically important that we listen to the words of the Lord. Judging our thoughts, our words, and what we listen to will determine our well-being. How attentive we are to others will determine how attentive they are to us. If we want to share the Lord with others, we have to tune into them so that we speak words that edify them and build them up, and not tear them down.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:29 (KJV)
“But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
As Jesus prepares the kingdom and the world for His return, there is a process that is followed. It is not left to chance nor is it left to be destroyed by the devil. There is a defined reason and purpose that He has placed into each and every one of us. Jesus used farming to relay His directions so that people could understand what He was saying. Their livelihoods and lives were based in the natural ways of life and these words caught their attention. Today, we have to share Jesus in a way that the society around us can relate to and understand. He is showing us that we are to build and develop those around us in the kingdom ways. Jesus does not want any to be lost but for people to be prepared for His return. If we are doing our job and fulfilling our purpose, people will be ready for Jesus’ return.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:31 (KJV)
“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:”
When we came into the world, we were small and dependent upon our parents for everything. When the mustard seed is sown in the earth, it is dependent upon its surroundings for its very life. It is very hard at the beginning for the mustard seed, yet it has great potential. In the same way, it is difficult for us in starting out but with great care, we have great potential. With the mustard seed, it is hardly noticeable in the great scheme of things. Just as with mankind, we are not very noticeable in the great scheme of things. Like the mustard seed, we are not that significant in the beginning but if we have the proper surroundings, we can grow into our potential. The mustard seed needs water to take root and grow. We also need to be watered with the word to grow spiritually strong. Just like a mustard seed has the potential to grow into a tree that can hold and feed the birds. We also have the potential to grow into a mighty force bearing much fruit and able to touch others for God.
May we grow in Christ and do great things in Him
Mark 4:32 (KJV)
“But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”
When the seed of God is planted in our hearts, it is put there to grow. That is the first step in the process and as it develops strong roots, it shall be established. As it breaks through the barrier of the soil that is attempting to hold it back, it provides a great example of the devil trying to keep our lives in bondage. We are to become free in Jesus by shooting forth and spreading our branches wide. As we expand our outreach into the world around us, we are an example of the kingdom of God reaching out to many. The shadow of the mustard seed expands as it grows with great power and flows into the land that it penetrates. When watered, the seed of God planted in our hearts will develop roots and start to grow. As it breaks through the barrier of the soil that surrounds it, that is a transformation. Form the natural barriers of the soil to the spiritual barriers of life.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 4:39 (KJV)
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Jesus rebuked the adverse winds that were against them that day and brought peace into the situation. The words of Jesus that brought calm into this situation can also bring peace and calm today. The words of Jesus are powerful all the time and in every place. As we apply the Word to our lives today, we will find a peace that will transform everything. Jesus showed He had the authority over the physical world and its manifestations. Jesus had authority over the prince of the air who was attacking them physically that day, and He spoke against those forces. As we are waking in faith today and speaking the Words of Jesus against the prince of the power of the air, we can see the same results. Jesus did not leave us alone and at the will of the enemy. Jesus is in heaven, but He is also in our hearts when we know Him as our Lord and Savior.
Thank You Jesus
Mark 5:34 (KJV)
“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
What many people have been searching for is right within their grasp. Jesus was acknowledging that her direction was right and her faith had made her whole. Jesus could see her faith through her actions and dedication. As she stepped forward and refused to give into the legalism that surrounded her, she broke through the barrier of the flesh. Man no longer held her bondage, and she was set free from the past. She was now made whole, complete, and peaceful. Our faith is the substance of things hoped for, and as we reach out and receive the fullness of the results of our faith, we are made whole. This is a great example for us today. Especially since she could have been killed by religion but refused to surrender to it and receive it as her lot. She stepped forward into the realm of belief and received the light of the revelation given her.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 5:36 (KJV)
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”
We are called to be confronted with the reality of our faith. What is our faith centered in? Is it fear or faith? Do we believe Jesus or not? Today the enemy is spreading fear like a contagious disease. It is infecting people in far too many ways. There are individuals who are carriers of fear, and will stop at nothing to get others to believe in fear like they do. We are given a command from the Lord that we are not to fear, but instead, to only believe. It is simple and we have a choice to make. We will either choose fear or to believe. We can go with the crowd and choose fear, or we can stand with Jesus and choose to believe. Fear is infected faith that has been perverted. As the scripture says, when words of fear are spoken in our presence, we are to say that we choose not to believe in fear. We are to speak against those words of fear and to stand strong in Jesus.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 6:4 (KJV)
“But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”
Jesus made this remark as He was traveling in His home country. As he entered the area, He was confronted by large numbers of people. This type of attack against Jesus was typical back then just as His disciples are attacked today. There were many touched by Jesus and believed in Him. Just as there were many religious who were doing all they could to discredit Him because of their unbelief. Jesus was not only speaking to the people then, but He is also speaking to people today. He was letting everyone know that they can expect to be attacked as they follow Him. We will find those closest to us, as well as acquaintances, not willing to believe that God is using us. They will say things like, “Why is God using you and not me?”
The answer to this question is, “because of your unbelief.”
Thank you Jesus for preparing us
Mark 6:11 (KJV)
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Shaking the dust from your feet is not only a physical action, but a significantly spiritual one. Jesus was telling the disciples that they were not to carry the past with them as they walked ahead spreading the gospel. The reason was because of the unbelief that they were encountering. The unbelief would try to infect their own belief and distract them from their purpose. Also, to shake the dust from your feet signified that people were rejecting the gospel. Jesus was reminding us to be careful in our relationship with Him and to refocus our lives on the truth. The words of Jesus explained what would happen then and in the future, just as they have many times before. Today’s society is at the same place of unbelief as they were back then.
Thank you Jesus for the reminder
Mark 7:6 (KJV)
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
Today’s society is very hypocritical, and unwilling to really seek the Lord diligently. Many people don’t see any problems with their relationship with God and think everything is fine. It is surely hypocritical when you say that your relationship with God is right, and you hardly spend time with Him. How can someone whose life is totally self-centered say that they are following God? It is because supposed believers are following society’s thinking and life style. It is really all about the world infecting the church and the church greatly failing in their world mission. The whole emotional attitude has overtaken sensibility and reason. Today unless you are walking in sloppy agape, you are not caring or understanding.
We pray that people will change their ways and get a grip on the deception they are walking in.
Mark 7:7 (KJV)
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
People today have taken steps beyond the truth of the Word of God. Their worship is empty and their words are based in man’s doctrine. They find themselves walking in the lies they believe, and they do not know or even care that they are wrong. Leaving the truth of the word, and basing your life in things that satisfy the flesh, is going down a very dangerous slope directly towards hell. The time to play games is over, and mankind has to get serious about following God.
The Lord is saying, “Far too many individuals are blinded from the truth of God and walking in the light of their own salvation. Their worship is joyful and happy in their own minds. Yet they are far from me and are wasting all of their efforts in pursuit of the flesh. Drama, fleshly dancing and a casual attitude is not the way to come into My presence. I am crying out to My people to change their ways, yet they do not listen because of their hard hearts.”
We look to you Jesus
Mark 7:8 (KJV)
“For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”
People are laying aside the commandment of God as unnecessary and cumbersome in their lives. It is something that has held the fabric of society together and has been an essential part of daily life for so long. There has been a breaking down of the essential part of the character of individuals. Gradually, the deceptions of the devil have been working on people and getting them to believe in themselves more than God. People have lost their holy purposes in God, and picked up selfishness and rebellion instead. The traditions of men started small, and have increased in importance until they were the overriding source for many people. Keeping busy with unnecessary activities will not get a person saved or into heaven. Doing what you think is right in your eyes is not the right way to live.
Thank you Jesus for opening our eyes
Mark 7:9 (KJV)
“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
This is a clear description of a person in total rebellion by completely putting God in a box and locking it up with man’s traditions. If a person does this, it will completely separate them from God. Here the flesh is reigning very strong in the hearts and minds of individuals. They are denying the truth that is all around them and are blinded by the lies of the devil. Their emotions are leading them in the wrong direction and they do not even see it happening. All the time, they are doing it to keep their traditions and the lust of their flesh alive and active. Many refuse to even consider that they could spend eternity in hell as a result of what they have done. Putting all else aside and refusing to acknowledge what you know is wrong, will not solve the problem of self-destruction. Then, when they are in hell forever, all the lust will torment them.
Thank you Jesus for waking us up
Mark 7:13 (KJV)
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”
Society has changed greatly and people no longer have the respect they used to have for the Word of God. People in general are very self-focused, and have a different sense of priorities. They are looking at themselves first and last, while putting God on the back burner. What God says and commands us to do is no longer of any importance. Where the Word of God used to lead and guide people, it is being ignored today. Individuals now look at everything through the eyes of their traditions, and then decide what is good and what is bad. We have to take a fresh and different look at what we are doing in life, and where we are going. When we pursue life only through our traditions, we are really looking at everything through blinders. Then, as we go forward, we refuse to see anything that does not line up with what we want.
Thank you Jesus for helping us
Mark 7:15 (KJV)
“There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”
People have to start getting a greater understanding of the spiritual perspective of life. The spiritual reality is not psychology which is the way of men. We tend to try to change things from the outside in when it is what is inside and comes out of us that will determine the final solution. It is the corruption within the heart that will destroy a man. If we do not see that we have corruption in us then we are lying to ourselves. We have let the devil blind us from the light of God’s truth around our lives. God is trying to open our spiritual eyes to see much of what is around us. Self-deception is the greatest deception and it is within us pouring out onto those around us. Unfortunately, today’s society has convinced us that we need all this outside help to live right. Many people are very proud that they see a psychiatrist and refuse to see Dr. Jesus for help.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 7:18 (KJV)
“And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him”
Today we stand at a very critical place and we have to get a grip on this very scripture. We need to stop doing things backwards and using band aids to cover up our problems. We’ve been deceived and looking in the wrong direction for our solutions. The sin that besets us comes from within us where the real darkness abides. We have bought the deception that others are our excuse and our problem. Society is running with the idea that we have to find the problem around us so that we can get better. The real issue is that our hearts are corrupt and leading us into destruction. We’ve believed the lies of the devil, and playing the blame game. This attitude is putting the real problems under a basket and hiding them from ourselves. As we continue on in life, we bury the real issues deeper and deeper while we are searching all over to find what is wrong.
Thank you Jesus for new understanding
Mark 7:21 (KJV)
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”
Jesus opened our eyes and hearts to a spiritual truth within us that can change our lives if we let it. Yet mankind is determined to approach this problem from the outside in a physical manner. All evil is within the heart of man. It all comes from the Adam and the original fall of mankind. We are born with built in sin that has to be dealt with in a truly spiritual manner. We cannot and we will not accomplish anything as long as we are rebellious and refuse to listen to the Lord. All the attempts to heal ourselves from the outside by using natural man made ways will fail. We have to get to the point where we recognize that this is a spiritual matter that has to be dealt with spiritually. It all starts with repentance and surrender of our will to the Lord. Acceptance of the Lord will heal the land [our temple], and lift us up from the depths of sin that we are used to walking in every day.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 7:27 (KJV)
“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”
Jesus came to earth first for the Jewish people. His goal was to bring the truth to them first and to free them from religious bondage. As He walked among them, they denied Him and attacked everything that He said and did. Those who should have known Him through His Word used the very same word to get people to look to them. The religious spirit is very strong and keeps people in darkness. Jesus, the light, came to show all people that He was fulfilling the word. He came to bring understanding to the lost, and open the eyes of the blind. Those closest to Him and His chosen people were the very ones that the Father had to repeatedly correct and discipline. When Jesus showed them that He was the living word, the religious stepped forward and killed Him because they did not want to lose their position and authority. Jesus came to destroy all sin and as the second Adam, restore the relationship between man and God.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 8:15 (KJV)
“And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.”
This is another warning from Jesus to all people. We have to always be alert to the lies that attempt to control our spiritual lives. The warning call, “to take heed and beware,” has been declared throughout the ages. It is just as strong of a warning today due to the extremes that the religious and the world go to keep God’s people in bondage to the past. Unless they continue to achieve and keep their control, the religious are afraid of what would happen. Fear is a great controller and it will stop the freedom of revival quickly in its steps. We are reminded about the results of the dark ages. The word from Jesus was not just a request, but a strong command to people throughout the ages. This strong reminder serves its purpose only if people listen to it and follow it. It reminds us of the purpose destructive ways of the Pharisees and the world against God’s people.
Thank you Jesus
Mark 8:18 (KJV)
“Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?”
This scripture outlines the life condition of many people today, and they are totally unaware of it. Having eyes they are not seeing and having ears they are not hearing. We have been wonderfully made by our creator with greater capabilities than any other creation. We are made in His image and likeness. We are made to be just like Him and to have Him living within our hearts. We have been given the abilities to see and to hear in the spiritual realm. No other creation has that ability or talent within them. It is true that we have been given great minds, yet we are only using five-percent of them. To have all this ability and not to use it is truly a sin. After the fall, our emotions were lifted up to rule. Then after Jesus came, this was put back into proper order. Man has refused to accept Jesus and return to the original way we were made. This rebellion has caused the blindness and deafness of today. We pray that people will see the true light and choose to walk like Jesus in the spirit instead of like man in the flesh.