TRANSFORMED
Today’s Reading: Mark 9
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This photo of Mount Hermon was taken from about 45 kilometres south of the mountain and nine kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee. I (Reynold Mainse) was standing at an elevated point in Meshushim Stream Nature Reserve. A peak in this area rises to 2,236 m (7,336 ft) and is the highest elevation in Israeli-controlled territory. The Hermon range covers an area of about 1,000 square km, of which about 70 are under Israeli control. This mountain range is shared by Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. The Jordan River’s main source of water comes from the melted snow off of Mount Hermon. Mt. Hermon may have been the “High Mountain” referred to in today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Mark 9:7
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Why Peter, James and John? Did Jesus show favouritism? God always responds according to our level of commitment. Do we want to see Jesus in new ways? Then ask God for a greater desire for Him. Why Moses and Elijah? Jesus had tried again and again to share His coming death with His disciples, but they didn’t get it. Moses and Elijah were two servants of the Lord who, at one point in their lives, had become so discouraged that they asked God that they would die (Numbers 11:15 and 1 Kings 19:4). Perhaps they were the only human beings who could begin to understand Jesus’ feelings as He faced death. Yes, Jesus was 100% Human, and this record establishes that Jesus is also 100% God. The voice of God the Father burned its way into the memories of the three disciples. Later in the chapter we learn that “fasting and prayer” is another evidence of our level of fervency. Why be fervent? One reason is because of the reality of “hell fire” (9:43,47). There’s a lost world that needs Jesus before it’s too late.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, like Peter, James and John, I’m sticking close to You. May I, too, hear the voice of the Father, and may I fast and pray so that I may see Your mighty works. Amen and Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It was at the altar during August I952 at a Camp Meeting. I had just turned 16 when God made it crystal clear to me that I was called by Him into the full-time ministry of His Church. I had been praying for some time that God would do me the great honour of giving me such a call. I wanted with all my heart to spend my life working as an ordained minister of Christ. That summer I had spent weekends helping Bob Johnson plant a new congregation in the village of Madoc, Ontario. Bob’s picture was on our High School wall as having qualified for several scholarships, yet here he was, sleeping on the floor of a little apartment, because he did not have the money to buy a bed. That example of sacrifice increased my desire to make the same commitment as Bob. If I had been offered a comfortable salary, a nice house and an established pulpit for some future time, I don’t think that I would’ve been interested.
Yours for a high level of fervency in hearing from God and in serving Him,
David
A great lesson. I would like more info on how to fast. Being diabetic for 45 years, I have to be careful. Even before reading this blog, I need to eat something after the long night fast. Today I ate a small banana & glass of water. I’ve “heard” of giving up something other than food but I’m not aware of it being acceptable. Do any of you Blog Buddies have experiences of how to deal with diabetes & fasting? If my sugar level drops to 4 or lower, my thinking is affected. Thanks
It would depend on how stable your condition is, if you are considering fasting, check with your doctor to see how it can be done safely.
You can fast from other things than food. St. Paul recognized that husbands and wives could fast(abstain) from sex for a season, and devote that time to God.
So whatever you choose to fast from as long as it is meaningful to you, denies yourself something, and you give the time you would have spent on it, to God, it would be acceptable
The only thing you can’t fast from is sin, Sinful activities require repentance not fasting. ie. You cannot fast from gossiping, only repent from it.
In the past I have fasted from my favorite television shows, and use the time for intercessory prayer or worship. I have fasted from not all foods, but something I would have daily that I enjoyed, like my mid morning cookie.
I have fasted from contacting my dearest friend, but told them in advance, so they knew why and were okay with it.
Just remember whatever type of fast you do, God looks at the heart, so as long as the why you are fasting is acceptable, the how you do it will be too.
I hope that was helpful.
I will try to find something to fast with. Not sure what it could be just now but will be thinking about that. I didn’t remember about the “husband” thing but I’m a widow! Anyway, I will think of something. I have lost a lot of weight and try to keep eating! But I do like to watch some funny TV programs like “I LOVE LUCY”! Maybe that will be a good one. Thanks Donna.
Sorry should have given the Scripture reference. It was in 1st Corinthians Chapter 7 Verse 5 in Paul’s instructions to married people
“Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan, may not tempt you because of you lack self-control”
I know whatever you find to do, it will be a blessing to you and to others.
Thanks Donna and Doreen for the tips on how to fast. Very informative. I too have lost a lot of weight and try to get calories into my body. I sure can think of something to fast from.
Have a blessed weekend all. Looking forward to the rain that we are supposed to get. Our crops sure could use the moisture.
Pray for Beverlee regarding her health issues.Pastor,Gerry M. lives in Madok.He told me a few years agothat back in the 60’s,when he had a church in Hamilton,he and David used to kid each other about the church attendance numbers.Please pray for him and his wife (my best friend’s sister-in-law) as they have serious health issues under investigation.(God will know his last name.)
“‘ 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me….”’
This shows us that there were others unknown to them who were spreading the gospel and doing God’s work even while Jesus was still with them.hallelujah!
Yall be blessed
PS: pass the salt…
This is Your world, Lord, so take this small corner that I live in and be glorified in it. In Jesus’s name, amen
1Corinthians: 13:12 “For now we see through a glass , darkly; but then face to face: Now I know in part ; but then shall I know even as also I am known”
beautiful sunny day here in Alberta: be blessed in the Lord saints of God