Bible Study - Class meets on Thursday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST.

[LadyLionness]

If we were pastors, we would try to memorize those, since pastors must recite them accurately to their groups. But we practice Einsteinian  tactics: just learn the ideas and know where to find their citations as needed. lol

Doesn't matter if we are pastors or not... it's for our own good.

[LadyLionness]

OK. I've read up on your posts. It seems we are not all on the same page. We aren't all discussing the same chapters at the same time. People just jump back and forth as they like.

I'll catch up to whatever I can and you all can discuss your chapters and I do mine, too. lol

No, we are discussing chapter 1... Please contribute...

[cali_lady]

Great rhetorical question! 

To add to this:

When we read Mark 1:9-11, it speaks of Jesus being baptized with water and the Holy Spirit descending on him.  His ministry didn't exactly start after that.  If we continue to read on in Mark 1:12,13 it indicates afterwards that the Spirit (not the devil), immediately sent him into the wilderness.  Jesus was tempted 40 days and 40 nights.  Jesus ministry started after he survived for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness tempted by the devil. 

Christians please be aware that after you have been baptized that the devil is going to tempt you in the wilderness.  And truthfully, some are still in the wilderness wandering in the dark.  The devil will tempt the lust/desire of the flesh, the lust/desire of the eyes, and the pride of life.

agree on the bolded...

[cali_lady]

How you know, Cali?

because i've gotten baptized...had to face alot of decisions afterwards whether or not I should proceed w/ certain rituals or not... i needed and yearn for spiritual guidance 

[LadyLionness]

How did John earn the power to baptize?

Water baptism was a common Jewish practice used to "symbolically wash" gentiles who converts to Judaism.  So, when John started to  baptize people with water, it was not something strange, the Jews understood... but John's baptism is also different.  John's baptism was to call Israel to repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. 

I don't think it was a matter of John EARNING the power to baptize... he was born specifically for this reason.  In the book of Luke, Chapter 1, vv 11 through 25 talks about the Angel of the Lord announces John' conception, birth, lifestyle and ministry. 

Luke 1:15  states that...

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord... He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 

So, John's purpose was clear and well establish before he was even conceived... the angel also said that he will be "filled with the Holy Spirit."  Throughout the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, these words usually meant that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, was with John the Baptist... talking to him, teaching him, and most of all, gave him the power to baptize.  In Luke, 1:41-46, It is written that "when Elizabeth (John's mom) heard the greetings of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb." 

[LadyLionness]

John was an awesome leader.  He knew that in order to help the Jews understand the repentance of their sins and turn towards God, he would have to use an analogy that they understand... John's baptism was the "transition" between what the Jews do for someone wanting to convert to Judaism and what Jesus will be doing, baptizing ALL people, Jews and Gentiles with the Holy Ghost.


This is similar to something that I have stated a few times on here already.  Our Hmong shaman practice is to sacrifice an animal for the lost soul of the person that is sick. 

Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate - one time only for all of eternity - sacrifice for the lost souls of all people that would have been separated from God forever, headed for Hell.

Same concept...

[WindComeWindBlow]

Christians please be aware that after you have been baptized that the devil is going to tempt you in the wilderness.  And truthfully, some are still in the wilderness wandering in the dark.  The devil will tempt the lust/desire of the flesh, the lust/desire of the eyes, and the pride of life.

I grew up a non-Christian and when I got to know Jesus in High School, I had a lot of unanswered questions.  One of them was that why did many Hmong folks fail to become Christians after they converted.  I found my answer when I was in college that Christian people are more tempted by satan because he doesn't want them to be saved.  Thus it is important for us to read the word of God to stay in the light.

I really enjoy reading about the story of the Sower because we get to choose if we want to be the seeds that fell along the path, the seeds that fell in the rocky places, the seeds that fell amongst thorns, or the seeds that fell on good soil. 

[BoyRescue]

How did John earn the power to baptize?

Some good points LL made.

There wasn't anything that John did by works to "earn" the power to baptize.  John simply received the power to baptize for free.  God enables people with power according to the God's calling in their life.  Now, we can see why so many Christians are powerless...be cause they aren't fulfilling their God calling in life.  Some have been called to be teachers, but instead wants to be a doctor.  Some called to be elders, but wants to be a pastor.

[LadyLionness]

    Reporter, I like your questions.  They are refreshing and honest.

[BoyRescue]

because i've gotten baptized...had to face alot of decisions afterwards whether or not I should proceed w/ certain rituals or not... i needed and yearn for spiritual guidance 

Before any plant can grow it needs to be planted in good soil.  Soil is important because it en roots a plant to have a strong and deep foundation.  Every plant needs rain and sun in order for it to continue to grow and blossom into full maturity.  Every plant must endure during certain seasons.  If a flood comes by every plant that was planted in good soil will withstand it and others plants in bad soil will surely be washed away.

We, Christians are the plants and the soil is the church.  If Christians plant themselves in a bad church the strength and depth of their roots will most likely be weak.  So when the flood - trials and tribulations come they will not be able to withstand it till the end.  The rain is the Word of God it gives strength to the church and the believers to grow and mature in their faith.  The sun is every believers relationship with God.  God shines on everyone not favoring one more than the other.

Be sure your implanted in a good church.  That will help you grow.

Cali_Lady, I want to encourage you with some words:

As much as you yearn for spiritual guidance from God, He yearns for you as well.  And believe it or not He yearns for you so much more than you'll ever know or anyone will every know.  God's thought of you are like the sands of the sea.  Imagine counting every single sand on this earth.  That's how much God thinks of you!  God has invited all believers that if you draw near to Him, he will draw near to you.  It's a promise!  God loves you and that's why he sacrificed his Son, Jesus on the cross.  For a bigger purpose.  For you and I.  For a family.

God bless and may the Lord be your strength! 

[LadyLionness]

BoyRescue,

I like that analogy... and it gave me an idea... that 40 day of fasting... it's like drying the seeds after harvasting... you can't plant wet, fresh of the plant seeds... you have to dry them first... and then put them in the ground...

[cali_lady]

Boyrescue, thanks for the insights...enj oyed reading  i do have some decisions to make from now till then...

[aboo]

The book of Mark is one of my favs.  I won't be able to join you all in class as I have business to attend to so I thought I would post a few comments ahead.  My apologies if I'm not making sense or behind or ahead of the discussion posts.

I'm glad to read that some of you talking about the parable of the sower.  There are several parables in the book of Mark, but the parable of the sower really spoke to me as a Christian.  I really had to think about myself and what kind of seed I am.  What kind of seed so I want to be for Christ? How fortunate we all are to be in a country where we can choose to be what kind of seed in this parable.  If you are still unsure, pray and read Mark 4:1-20 again.

Jesus Calms the Storm - Mark 4:35-41.  I wanted to share a quick story about a collegue of mine from work.  Some say it's exhaustion, others may say it's the meds/chemo while many Christians believe that the last hours of her life was so quiet and calm because she had faith in the Lord.  I visited her with tears welled up in my eyes, thinking how life can be so cruel to be laying there as cancer consumes your very being awaiting for your last breath.  She has made peace with God and accepted the decision that she will die and leave her autistic son behind.  She really showed me that her faith is in Him and that through this faith, He will make everything possible.  When I last saw her, she was so calm, gazing at the nearby photo of her son....she was smiling, and I bet God was holding her hand. 

Whenever my life gets chaotic, I am reminded by this parable of where to place my faith....thing s happen for a reason for God always has a plan for me, I just need to trust Him to lead.

[aboo]

Before any plant can grow it needs to be planted in good soil.  Soil is important because it en roots a plant to have a strong and deep foundation.  Every plant needs rain and sun in order for it to continue to grow and blossom into full maturity.  Every plant must endure during certain seasons.  If a flood comes by every plant that was planted in good soil will withstand it and others plants in bad soil will surely be washed away.

We, Christians are the plants and the soil is the church.  If Christians plant themselves in a bad church the strength and depth of their roots will most likely be weak.  So when the flood - trials and tribulations come they will not be able to withstand it till the end.  The rain is the Word of God it gives strength to the church and the believers to grow and mature in their faith.  The sun is every believers relationship with God.  God shines on everyone not favoring one more than the other.

Be sure your implanted in a good church.  

I really like your analogy here.  It represents my view as well.  I just want to add that sometimes as new Christians, we may not have a grasp of what is a "good" church.  What are some ideas or suggestions do you folks have in determining if you are in a "good" church?  For me, a church must help me grow spiritually and faithfully closer to God.  I do not deem a church 'good' simply because half my relatives are members or that my friends are there every Sunday....thos e are just bonus points.

I stopped attending this one particular church because I felt my faith and spirit were diminishing slowly.  There were too many clics and of course the two face lovely niam tsev who would look down on divorcees.  I did not see myself growing with this church as I once was....in addition there was many other issues behind the scenes that made me question the purpose of this church and have seen how satan has invaded and challenge the children of God of their faith.

[WindComeWindBlow]

Awesome reads!