10th week 7th day: were you there?

In less than two weeks’ time will be the time of the calendar year when Jesus would be hung on the cross (historically). Today’s New Testament reading is ahead of 2016’s Calendar for the commemorative crucifixion date. In our Calendar, next Sunday will be Palm Sunday celebrated by many Christian churches. Many Christian churches hold special services on Palm Sunday where congregation members receive blessed palm leaves, which symbolize victory and joy. After Palm Sunday, when it comes to the subsequent week of watching, suffering, and victorious celebration of our Lord Jesus’ passion, Christians have three more holy days: Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Today’s reading from Mark chapter 15 is the chapter before the last chapter of Mark. I post the whole chapter here. I pray each of us who reads this receives form our Lord His own message for each of us as a believer and follower of Jesus. My own prompting in my spirit is “Watch the number of people participated and recorded in this chapter. See how each responded.” Yes, there are plenty of people from all walks of lives who have heard about Jesus and even witnessed what He has done, the preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the miraculous healing, the signs and wonders. I highlighted these people by bolding the letters in the verses. His religious enemies, the political and military head, military officer and soldiers, ordinary people (the crowd, the mob, the passerby), His disciples and followers. Women (specially mentioned and recorded here).

(I enclose at the end of this post the lyrics of a hymn “Were you there” which deeply touched y heart many years ago when I first heard it sung. )

Mark 15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

15 Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council[a]—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

2 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

3 Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 4 and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 5 But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

6 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 8 The crowdwent to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[b] was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice[c] to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries[d] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.[e]

29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.

The Death of Jesus

33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[f]

35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39 When the Roman officer[g] who stood facing him[h] saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph[i]), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus

42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation,[j] the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Footnotes:

1. 15:1 Greek the Sanhedrin; also in 15:43.
2. 15:21 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
3. 15:24 Greek cast lots. See Ps 22:18.
4. 15:27a Or Two criminals.
5. 15:27b Some manuscripts add verse 28, And the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among those who were rebels.” See Isa 53:12; also compareLuke 22:37.
6. 15:34 Ps 22:1.
7. 15:39a Greek the centurion; similarly in 15:44, 45.
8. 15:39b Some manuscripts add heard his cry and.
9. 15:40 Greek Joses; also in 15:47. See Matt 27:56.
10. 15:42 Greek It was the day of preparation.

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Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Today’s Holy Bible reading: Psalms 37:30-40; numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Proverbs 11:5-6

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end times witnessing: a doctor’s attitude－be a bringer of light

“We write so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” This is the writer’s attitude of Dr. Luke. He writes with a specific focused goal in his mind. He wants to communicate the facts he has personally observed and carefully researched and investigated, in an orderly manner, clearly and accurately. This is how we write too when we talk about the matters of God. I have observed and researched healthcare prevention and treatment and have worked with friends who are in the medical line and my perception of the dedicated ones is that they are serious and very cautious about what they have learned and practiced in their line of profession. A doctor has told me that it is because they have to deal with life and death issue. Life and death issue is the line where we cannot afford to be casual and/or untruthful. This is the issue that our Lord Jesus has dealt with while on earth and taught His disciples to do the same. Luke has followed closely the disciples of Jesus. This is the tenth year of my personal blogging, from an individual Christian viewpoint, learning to communicate what I have personally observed, encountered, researched and investigated. Last night I was led to read the introductions of Luke in Luke 1:1-4, and Acts 1:1-5. How relevant this guide and goal for me is. The Lord has spoken again to me and I know I still have a long way to go. I pray that I shall be faithful and focused.

Luke 1:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.[a] 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Footnotes:

1:2 Greek from those who from the beginning were servants of the word.

Acts 1:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In my first book[a] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Footnotes:

1:1 The reference is to the Gospel of Luke.
1:5 Or in; also in 1:5b.

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The Biblical baby name Luke is Hebrew in origin and its meaning is bringer of light, morning.

Luke is pronounced loo-k.

Luke was a physician in Rome and an early convert to Christianity. He befriended Paul, and was his companion during his many evangelical journeys and even imprisonment. Luke wrote one of the four gospels describing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Luke is also called Lucas in the Bible.

Biblical reference for the name Luke:
2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24; Book of Luke; Acts of Apostles
Strong’s Bible Concordance G3065

Watchman's adventure: end and begin

A brief summary of a watchman's journal of the last few days of 2015 and the beginning of 2016.

Journey for the people of God. On 2015 12/28 Prompted to read Numbers 33, 34, 35. Theme: stages of journey—leaving and camping, repeatedly many times. finally, moving on according to God's plan and instructions.

(Fasted modified combined Esther's and Daniel's fast for seven days—12/31/15-1/6/16)

2015/12/31 Habakkuk's conversation with God. he asked God 'how long' and lots of 'whys'. However he changed his tone to this statement in chapter 3:1 "Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of  Your deeds, Lord. REPEAT THEM IN OUR DAY, IN OUR TIME MAKE THEM KNOWN; IN WRATH REMEMBER MERCY." God then showed the prophet His glory, praise, splendor, and power (3:3).  3:10-17 described the scene of a terrible Tsunami.  3:10 "the mountains saw you and writhed, Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high...15 You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters..." Zephaniah 1:3 "I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea..." 18 "neither their silver or their gold will be able to save them on the day..."

2016 1/1 Proverbs 29. Theme: State of the nations. "The good, the bad, the ugly." Key words: 'snared by their own sins' —stiff-necked, greedy for bribes, evildoers, mockers, fools, bloodthirsty, rages and scoffs, flatter neighbors and spreading nets and snares, oppressor, undisciplined child, no revelation–cast off restraint, insolent servants unresponsive to corrections, speak in haste, angry person, pride, accomplice of thieves, fear of man. 27 "The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright."

2016 1/2 Matthew whole chapter 24. Theme: The Day of Jesus' return will come. 2 "Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you..." 10-14 "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,  and then the end will come."

2016/1/3 State of the nations continued in Jeremiah 42, 43. Jesus teaches 'that which defiles' (. Theme: Be prepared. Watch the mouth which reflects the heart. The battle is in in the words (the Sword of the Spirit). Matthew 15:1-20, 23:25, 38 "Look, your house is left to you desolate." Mark 7:14-15, 18-22, 23 "All these evils come from inside and defile a person." Luke 6:45 "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

2016 1/4-6 Jesus teaches by questions and answers (mainly from the book of Luke). Theme: salvation and healing come by believing in Jesus. Know God's good plan and purpose, and the power of the Living God in His words (Life and Spirit) for each individual believer. "What is written in the Law? How do you read it? You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?" (Luke 10:26, 40, 56) Interpretation of God's Word by the Holy Spirit and not by man's ways.

2016 1/7 Numbers 14:29, 34, 38. v29 "Everyone of you twenty years old or more", v34 "for forty years". v38 "Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived."

v24 "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

Discourse with Jesus :purpose and power

God has revealed His purpose and power for us in this New Year’s journey to see God. Three questions are posted here today with answers from Jesus Himself. I have grouped some questions together for the same theme. Please read the passage or chapter for the context of each of the questions. I have taken them from the Gospel recorded by Luke (in NIV unless specifically denoted separately).

Question 6: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? To what, then, shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? (Luke 7:24, 31-32) (Read from Luke 7:24-35)

Jesus focuses on the key word ‘seeing’ again. You can only see what you want to see. Seeing takes growing up and maturity. In the Kingdom of God seeing requires a heart for God. Seeing what God sees. What does God see in this context of John the Baptist? Jesus has shown us what God sees: A true prophet, a messenger from God, accomplishing God’s plan faithfully. “’This is the one about whom it is written: “’I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’…
There are three types for seeing: (1) seeing the physical nature as it is, such as, the reed blown and swayed by the wind; (2) seeing man’s impressive worldly accomplishment, such as, display of wealth, social status, and political power (What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:15); or (3) seeing what God sees in the spiritual realm: His will being carried out just as planned for the salvation of mankind. How do we see what God see? We have two most reliable spiritual guides: the Bible, the Holy Spirit.
Seeing God through the preaching, hearing and reading of His words requires positive response and faith in action on our part. The positive response to God comes after a genuine conversion: “All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:29; Matthew 3:5-6)
But another group responded negatively, the Pharisees and the experts of the law. They “rejected God’s purpose for themselves because they were not baptized by John.”(Luke 7:30) Jesus described them like children in the marketplace, mimicking their adults’ mocking, scorning, with contempt for matters they did not understand. Many Pharisees and Sadducees went to where John was baptizing but he saw through their real motive, rebuked them and exposed their unrepentant hearts which disqualified them from being

Question 7: Do you see this woman? Where is your faith? Who touched Me? Who do you say I am? However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? (Luke 7:44; 8:25; 8:45; 9:20; 18:8)

Jesus focuses on the key word ‘FAITH’ when He asks the above questions. Do you see faith? Do you have faith? Where is your faith? What does faith look like? One thing that stands out is faith must manifest. It can be seen. God can see. The spiritual beings can see. Human can see.
Faith in Jesus brings salvation and healing. An ostracized woman had faith that Jesus came from God, had the power and authority to forgive sins, and was willing to forgive her many sins. So she took an action of faith to approach Him, showered Him her appreciation and reverential love, even at great cost, perhaps the greatest cost of her lifetime. She was forgiven. (Luke 7:44, 47, 50) Another similarly ostracized woman of faith approached Jesus with the same faith, boldness in action, risking being discovered and punished harshly according to their law. She was healed. (Luke 8:45, 48)
In the final analysis, everyone is confronted with the same question: “Who do you think I am?” Salvation and healing do not come cheap. No amount of lip service can bring a person this twin-benefit. Jesus questioned His disciples. “Where is your faith? Who do you think I am?” These are what He is looking for in everyone who wants to follow Him. Without faith in Jesus being the Son of God, the only way to God, no one can go to God. Without faith no one can please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
When Jesus returns he wants to find one thing on earth: Faith. (Luke 18:8) Why? Because before He comes again His believers are required to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1, 8). During the interval between the time Jesus left earth and His imminent return, His followers will go through storms and squall, boat being swamped, great danger that need faith. That is why Jesus questioned, “Where is your faith?”(Luke 8:22-25) Faith makes things manifest from the unseen realm to the seen realm. (Hebrews 11:3)
Faith is the end time survival key. Faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows from the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16). We need to have the shield of faith as part of the full armor of God on the day of evil. (Ephesians 6:13). Jesus has taught His disciples to put on daily and be prepared for we do not know when it comes. The gospel of Jesus requires faith to receive. The same salvation message was proclaimed but the message some heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who listened to God and obeyed. (Hebrews 4:2)

Question 8: What is written in the Law? How do you read it? You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? (Luke 10:26, 40, 56)

Law is a highly esteemed and favorite study of the Jewish people because it governs every aspect of their lives. In the time of Jesus, There were scholarly experts and specialists in the Law of Moses. They knew all the fine prints and liked to question and challenge Jesus intellectually. But Jesus was more than well prepared for them than they thought. Jesus knew everything they knew. In addition He knew what they did not know because they had no direct link to God in the spirit. Jesus pointed out the flaw in their reasoning.
The Law of Moses had two parts: the written part and the part they read and understood and receive the power of God. The written part is external. People could read, memorize and recite them. The difficulty is in the reading and understanding internally. Jesus questions: "How do you read it?"

There is no real understanding without allowing the words to become life and spirit inside us. (John 6:67)

Jesus pointed out the error of those who tried to interpret God’s truth using the same principle and method they use to interpret physical appearance–natural sciences and philosophy. (Luke 12:56) Reading the Bible is not difficult. But its interpretation requires the Holy Spirit. Jesus said this to the Sadducees who came to challenge Him on the truth of resurrection,

There is no real impact on lives if not accompanied by the power of God. God’s words require interpretation.“Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24)

Summary: Through God's Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit

1. Seeing that God's purpose is to save through Jesus and it is a serious matter of either having eternal life with God or eternal damnation with the devil.

2. Believing and receiving the power of God as real in our lives.

3. Taking the bold step of faith in action: believe in Jesus and receive salvation and healing!

discourse with the King: five pertinent questions -power and intellect

Today we go interactive in a discourse with the King. King Jesus speaks through asking questions. And all His subjects are required to answer.
Why? Questions demand answers. Often He gives us the answers to His tough questions. The questions are often the answers themselves.

Let us read at random five pertinent questions as the watchman opened the Bible and in no particular sequence here below and meditate on them. Jesus puts significance on the interactive requirement of His words, for His audience to think— search our intellect and emotion, expose the real hidden motives and attitudes behind our thought, respond, —and give an account to them, eventually having no choice but to agree with Jesus that He is right about the matter. (Bible verses are quoted from NIV and the boldness/italics of some words/phrases are added.)

Question 1: The following question is for those familiar with the story of the human Jesus. “Why do you still think Jesus is an ordinary good and clever man but continue to ignore or not to believe His true status as the Son of God?”

The twelve years old Jesus questioned Mary and Joseph who thought he was lost like any ordinary boy in a big city on their way home. They returned to Jerusalem and spent three days looking for Him and finally arrived at the temple courts and found Him sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. He was giving answers to His questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers.
Luke 2:49 Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in My Father's house?
The Bible did not record their answer if any to Jesus. They were astonished and stunned. Why do we look for Jesus away from God's place? Where is God's house? Do we know where it is? Is it far from us? Do we turn around from wherever we are going and return to look for Jesus? How shall we answer to Jesus if he asks these questions?

Question 2: This question addresses unbelieving spectators. “Why do you like to see the signs and miracles but do not want to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Jesus said to a paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven and the Pharisees and teachers of the law began to feel offended and questioned in their heart the authority and credibility of Jesus to forgive sins because they knew and believed that only God could forgive sins. Jesus knew their thoughts. So He asked this following seemingly simple question.
Luke 5:22–23 "Why do you think these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'
In this instance too the Bible did not record any reply. Jesus went on to heal the man of his paralysis. Jesus performed the miracle to show and challenge the critics and skeptics this truth: Jesus is God. “Now that you have seen I can do what only God can do, are you not going to acknowledge that I am God?” —an unspoken question knocking on the doors of those hearts harden by religious jealousy and other worldly personal agenda). The same question is knocking on hearts today when we read of Jesus, clear and plain, though unspoken. How shall we respond? The question addresses the priority of a church. What is your real motive when you impose strict observance of your tradition and rules to the extent that you forego the original divine principle and purpose of the goodness of God behind the Law governing His elect people?
Jesus has shown us the supreme and divine-commissioned principle of God: to do Good (including healing, setting free from bondages and sufferings, and restoring the wholeness of a human) and Save Lives (from eternal damnation).

Question 3: In this account, Jesus addresses the heart matter. Why are your hearts so harden that you just do not want to see the goodness of God towards others?

He was teaching in a synagogue on Sabbath day and a man was there with a shriveled right hand. Obviously Jesus was expected to heal him. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were there to look for a reason to accuse Jesus of not following the Law of Moses and disqualify him as a teacher. The real question was they were they sincere in following the law themselves? Do they really care the true purpose of the law? Thus Jesus asked as follows:
Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
The Law of God given through Moses is meant for the good of all people under its governance, and intends to save and preserve lives from destruction. But a person’s obsession with fulfilling self-agenda (often driven by the love of physical pleasure—derived from the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17)— often diverts his attention from looking at the goodness of God to looking for excuses to accuse, manipulate and control other fellow human beings. The ‘religious’ hypocrites could not comply with the Law. They could not practice what they preached. (Matthew 23:3).
Jesus saw through the unholy-ungodly motives of these ‘religious’ hypocrites. No one could answer or challenge His question and they did not bother anyway. They were furious and jealous when Jesus showed that He could not be intimidated to obey mere mortal man. They began to scheme against Jesus because Jesus healed the sick man and demonstrated the goodness and greatness of God’s heart.
Jesus declared that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father (God). (John 14:9) He equated His miraculous healing with doing good and saving people. Jesus is perfect and merciful because God is perfect and merciful. (Luke 6:36; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 5:17-20) The Law is holy, righteous, good and spiritual. Jesus has taught us how to serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:6, 12, 14)

Question 4: Jesus challenges the blindness—the critical and judgmental perspective— of Christian (Pharisees and teachers of the Jewish laws). “Don’t you know you are blind?”

Again the questions are meant to be answered in the hearts. See clearly first. When you cannot see, you see a distorted picture of another Christian. The dust (problem) is not in your brother’s eye. You have a huge hindrance blocking your heart to see accurately and according to how God really see other Christians. Learn to know, obey and apply God’s words on yourself to see the unseen first. Don’t keep focusing on the physical and soul part (the mind, the emotion). You proclaim the wrong words because you have parked yourself in the wrong kingdom, even using the words of God according to the value and interpretation of the flesh (world) and not led by the Spirit of Christ. No one can really see clearly or accurately without being guided by the Holy Spirit. Sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lifts us up to a higher ground and see from the eyes of God. The words of God are the Sword of the Spirit. They cannot be used unless you are walking by the Spirit and not by flesh. (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesian 6:12-18)
Luke 6:41 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to you brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Question 5: After challenging their blindness, Jesus challenges their deafness. “Why do you continue to talk idle words when you cannot hear what I say in the first place?”

Jesus equates hearing with doing. After hearing what Jesus says we need to digest, allow the words to transform us by the renewal of our mind, so that we do not continue to follow the world and its way, but know what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God, then we can act on the words with integrity appropriately and truthfully. (Romans 12:1-2) Our actions include both our words and our deeds. How do we know whether the two synchronize? Jesus has given us the guideline: Look at the fruits. We will do the works of Jesus and even greater things because of the Holy Spirit in us who believe. (John 14:12, 21; 15:4, 7-8; Mark 16:15-20; Matthew 28:18-20)
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Look at the context of this question: Only good trees bear good fruits. Good fruits include what come out through our mouths (the words we speak) from our hearts (the thoughts we harbor). (Luke 6:43-45) Only a solid foundation keeps the building standing. Jesus has told us what makes a foundation solid:

“As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and put them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” (Luke 6:47-48)

Appointment with God: New Year 2016 fasting and praying

Update on 2015-12-30:  Another goal for fasting and prayer is to find purpose in life. A good way to set New Year Resolutions for another year! How many new years does one have over a life time? Not many. God sets chronological demarcations for human beings to rest, recall, review, realign, refresh, rebound, and become real. The goal is to become real. Be real to God and let God be real to us.
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An average person would not be satisfied with living from day to day knowing that one day all men must die and leave this earth without knowing why he had come to this life in the first place. One can find out about others’ life purpose by reading, studying and watching others. We can watch others growing up, being gainfully occupied with career, family, friends and may be hobbies, social work and religions etc. We tend to follow too and do about the same thing. However, is that all? What is our real purpose for living? This is a tough question for Jack.

One way to find out is to fast and pray. By giving up our physical comfort and deliberately focus on a higher level of existence one becomes aware of higher goal and the real reason of one’s existence. Not everyone has the same goals even though there are seemingly limited numbers of the usual goals. To sum up, most people want health, happiness and comfort in life. Security and relationship rank high in the happiness category. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid, once a human being get hold of the lower basic needs (physiological, security, love and belonging), he/she aims for meeting the higher level needs like esteem needs, experience purpose and meaning, and self-actualization.
Whilst the concept is the same, individuals vary in the contents that make up the ideals. Of course, people tend to follow each other (keeping up with the neighbours). But they will soon find the void in their hearts unfilled. For example, we tend to think of others’ kids being so lovely and fun to be with. When we have our own we know life is not all lovely and fun. At times we think the opposite had happened and prevailed. We also tend to admire others’ garden and wish we too have one. When we have our own garden we lament at the compulsory hours of regular hard labours required.  The same imperfect reality happens to owning cars, houses, high earning jobs, prestigious positions and interesting hobbies.
One pertinent question remains, “For what higher purposes are we created?” Fasting and prayer helps a Christian to find out.
The focus of Christian fasting and prayer is God. The more one focuses on the presence of God, the more one is able to receive clear messages about God and His purpose for our life. The content and focus of our prayers change. The mind changes its priority. The spirit (which has been slumbering previously) wakes up and switches to the God channel with clearer reception. This opens a door into a wider sphere of existence, way beyond our tiny little world.
But does God not care about our usual life in our little world? Oh, He does care. The difference is that He will open our eyes to see further sights and dream greater dreams.
There is a greater purpose for your existence and a higher goal for your life. No one can afford to linger on below that purpose. Start and find out now!
Yes, fasting and praying helps you to find the map.
2009-09-30