Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
No matter how persuasive the Christian might be, it can sometimes seem as if their hearer is deaf in just not getting it. It was always so. As Jesus performs another miraculous feeding, he is incredulous at his disicples' inability to grasp it's significance: "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear" (8v18). Repeating feeding 5000 Jews, this miracle in a Gentile area shows the overflow of God's life on offer even to them, as seen with the Phoenecian woman (7v24-30). But the disciples are in danger of the "yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod" (8v15) who refuse to accept what the miracles point to, wanting more signs when signs have already been given, sceptical because their hearts are hardened towards God. It is significant then that Mark includes the healing of the deaf and blind man, top and tailing this section. The point is that the healing Jesus works physically he can also work spiritually. He is the one to open people's ears and eyes so that they can hear and see the truth. He opens ears so that people might then speak it to others, and eyes so that they might see not just partially but clearly. As you read consider whether and how you have experienced this - and give thanks.
Mark 7:31-8:26
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.