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It is easy to fall into a religion of “dos” and “don’ts” but that is not the gospel

Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Mark 7:18-19

Don’t eat that, don’t drink that, don’t say that, don’t do that, don’t buy that, don’t go there, don’t…, don’t…, don’t.

This is religion and not the gospel.

There is nothing you can “do” or “not do” to make yourself holy. Jesus has done it for you. We don’t simply go on sinning, but following Jesus isn’t about follow a special set of rules or obligations. Do not let anyone tell you you’re wicked or outside of God’s grace because of anything you do, say, consume, or anything else… If you know Jesus, you’re “in”!

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism (refraining from the things they don’t like)

Col 2:18

What surprised Jesus…

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

-Mark 6:5-6

Jesus was surprised by the unbelief of those who knew Him, the people from His home town, those who knew Him best and had grown comfortable with Him. What about you… are you too comfortable with Jesus? Have you known Him for a long time? Be careful you don’t get so comfortable with Him that you become complacent. Our lack of faith can hinder what God wants to do among us, and that’s astounding because it doesn’t take a lot of faith for God to move mountains. Believe, no matter how long you think you’ve waited for Him to do something, the faith of a mustard seed can turn this world upside down. Go to church and get a “recharge” from your brothers and sisters… your faith is important!

We usually think of Jesus touching us, but in this case, she touched Him!

Who touched my garments?

-Mark 5:30

Have you reached-out to Jesus? Jesus has reached out to you, He is calling you, He does not desire anyone to perish… but have you touched Him? This woman knew Jesus would heal her. All she had to do was reach out, and it was so. She stretched out her hand, through the clutter hustle-and-bustle of the crowd, and she touched Him. Have you done this? Through your crowded life, do you reach up to God for healing and help? Have you prayed today, read the Bible, asked for forgiveness? Are you His child? Just reach out, He’s within reach.

Jesus taught them in parables

To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

-Mark 4:11

These were common stories that had uncommon significance.

In this story, the “Parable of the Sower” we learn that the seed is always the same, the gospel, but the people are different. Some receive it and it grows deep and thrives… most, however, cannot fully receive it. BUT the sower, us, still distributes the gospel everywhere.

Are you spreading the seed? Do you give a word, or a card, an invitation, or something to everyone you come in contact with? There is no soil unseeded in this parable, what about in your life? What field have you neglected to seed? Go to it today!

In Acts 11 we learn that the “disciples” began to be known by a new name “Christian,” which means, if you claim the name “Christian” you are actually a disciple…

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Mark 3:13-14

When Jesus called the disciples, He went to a specific place.

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