In Chapter 5 Jesus heals the demon-possessed man, we have talked about the story before in a previous post, but for some reason it really stood out this time round. The demons are scared of Jesus and know that he has complete control over them. They beg him to send them into the heard of pigs, and Jesus gives them permission.

In the very next chapter Jesus sends out the 12 disciples and gives them authority over evil spirits.

We have the same authority and I think often we don�t really live as though we do.

I was watching Super Nanny last week; a small girl was in complete control of her mother who was a complete wretch. It�s amazing how kids can do that to adults but it happens all the time. In a house though, surely it�s the parents that should have the authority?

I think me eyes were opened this week and had a real realisation that in the Kingdom of God, we as followers of Jesus have real authority and not just over evil spirits. Knowing and believing this can really change the way that we live and should give us a confidence to live life to the full as it was intended.

Week 5:

We�ve not had many questions or thoughts so far, could be I�m reading on my own in which case you will have to continue to put up with my thoughts. If I�m not on my own though it would be great to hear any thing that stood out for you.

Until next week, have fun.

I don�t know about you but there is something really satisfying about reading God�s word daily. It could be because obviously the bible is alive and it speaks to you, but I think for me I just feel like a much better friend to God. I know so often I feel bad that I ignore and neglect spending time with Him so to actually be consistent in setting time aside is refreshing and it feels pretty good.

We have just finished the book of Matthew.

Jesus continues to transform lives, healing people and forgiving their sins. There is a lot of teaching, which along with the way Jesus lives is completely radical for the times and if often quite hard for the people to understand. He talks about the Kingdom of God coming and it being a place where the first are last and the last are first. Crazy, up-side down thinking.

It�s difficult to sum up the last 10 chapters because so much has happened. Jesus has gone from being cheered and worshipped in Jerusalem to being murdered on the cross. So I�m not going to, you�ve read it so you know what happens.

One of the things that challenged me last week was one the subject of fruit. There are two different stories, one about the fig tree that doesn�t produce anything so Jesus makes it wither and die and also the well know parable of the talents. I think it�s clear that as followers of Jesus he wants us to be people that produce fruit.

When I read the parable of the talents I always feel a bit sorry for the guy who put it in the ground. It�s not as if he went to the Dogs and blew it or spent it on women and beer. He could have done a lot worse; he gave it back to his master just as he has received it. I think this really shows that Jesus is not a fan of laziness, something I�m often guilty of. He has given us all different gifts and abilities and I was really challenged this week, am I just sitting on them?

Week 4 readings:

Any questions or thoughts from last week, post them here.

One more week and we will be in Mark, this week we have got through the bulk of Jesus� ministry and it is building to his death and resurrection; sorry to ruin the ending.

Chapter 11 starts with John the Baptist in prison, he wants to find out if Jesus is the real thing or if there will be someone after him. Jesus replyââ?¬â?¢s by saying ââ?¬Å?go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy and cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor.ââ?¬Â

This sums up nicely what the next few chapters are all about, firstly Jesus starts having a real impact on the people. Some amazing miracles happen, including healing people, claming storms and feeding thousands of people. This would have been a clear sign to John the Jesus was the Messiah spoken of by the profits before.

Jesus starts to reveal that he is the Son of God, firstly by his actions and incredible works but also in Chapter 16 he asks Peter who he thinks he is? ââ?¬Å?Christ, son of the living God.ââ?¬Â

The Pharisees start to challenge and test Jesus and He responds with some radical teaching, in chapter 15 He talks about what makes us clean and unclean, it�s exciting stuff but not what the Pharisees want to hear so they start to plot ways to kill Jesus.

There is so much you could talk about from the readings last week so as normal feel free to post some of your thoughts and questions. On with week 3�

(Think I have been putting the chapters down incorrectly, 21-22 means read 21 and 22, have fun)