As part of preparation to saturate deeply in Mark, I have been doing overview studies of the Gospel. In my studies I have identified a common set-up for Mark’s accounts of events in the life of Jesus. First, Mark introduces his readers to an impossible situation – circumstances in which human effort is of no avail in bringing peace, restoration or happiness. Second, Mark describes the helpless people who are oppressed and burdened by the impossible situation that surrounds them. Finally, Mark introduces into these scenarios the Person of Jesus, and allows his readers to observe how Jesus, His Person and His Work, answers every need.

For example, in Mark 6:35-44, there are multitudes of people with no food, and the disciples are helpless to meet their needs… Jesus supplies! In Mark 6:45-52, the wind is against the straining disciples as they attempt to cross the sea – Jesus not only calms the storm, he also walks on the raging sea! In Mark 9:17-28, a boy is possessed by an evil spirit, and the disciples are unable to drive it out – Jesus announces to the evil spirit that He HIMSELF has come against it, and the spirit is expelled immediately! In Mark 10:17-27, a man approaches Jesus wondering how he can achieve life after death, and it is revealed to the man and the disciples that eternal life is impossible for man to achieve – but Jesus announces that ALL THINGS are possible with God!

Of course, the implications of this pattern are clear for my life. My world is entirely full of impossible situations in which I am helpless to overcome the forces of sin, nature, and ungodliness. I am trapped in a cycle of death and defeat which I have no special powers or abilities to combat. Mark’s Gospel has been speaking for 1,950 years that the answer to my problem is found in Jesus, the one whom God has sent. He has walked my streets, felt my pain, and known my struggle. He has within Himself the Spirit of the Father who will fill all that I lack.

As we celebrate this April a day of special remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus, I am reminded that Mark reverses his story pattern at the end of Mark. In Mark 15:33-39, we see Jesus as the helpless person in the middle of an impossible situation – the Son of God has been forsaken by the Father and left to die alone. Amazingly, the moment that Jesus experiences death, the veil (60’ wide, 30’ tall and 4” thick) separating the Holiest of Holies from the rest of the temple is torn in two from top-to-bottom. I see a clear communication from God that in the death of Jesus the life of God has been offered to everyone, no matter who they are, where they’ve been or what they have done. Even if I feel separated from God and lost without any idea where He is… the Son of God has now been there, too.

But, amazingly, heartbreakingly, the story is not over! The impossible situation in which Jesus finds Himself helpless in Mark is solved by the power of the Father who raises His beloved Son from the dead! What would the power of the Father do in my life were I to respond to Him in Jesus? What impossibilities would He turn on their heads? What curtains of separation would He rend? What dead ends of despair would He flood with His glorious light, hope and joy!

Bring me Yourself, Jesus! We need you now, more than ever!

10 large flour tortillas

1 lb ground chuck

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

1 can refried beans

1 small chopped onion

1 can Enchilada sauce

1 small jar Salsa

8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese

Brown chuck & onion. Drain. Mix in taco seasoning (do not add water)

Add beans & mix together. Set aside.

Lightly brush each side of tortilla with oil.

Place meat mixture in middle & roll up.

Put in 13 X 9 pan with seam down.

Mix sauce & salsa together and pour over the filled tortillas.

Top with cheese.

Dot with black olives if desired.

Bake @ 350 until bubbly – 30-40 mins

One of the most exciting changes I witnessed during the storm happened in the life of one of our residents, Troy Jackson. Troy crushed his ankle in a fall a few short weeks ago. He was told by two separate physicians he would need surgery on his ankle and possibly his shoulder as well. He has no insurance and finding an orthopedic doctor to treat him was quite difficult. Yet, once again, we were reminded we report to a higher power when just one short week after his fall, a third doctor reported that his ankle was healing without surgery. Immediately, Troy was walking, ALMOST leapingand praising God. It was, beyond a shadow of doubt, a miracle.

Yet, even that wasn’t the most exciting change. The real excitement came a few days ago when a few believers encircled a lady to pray for much needed healing in her body. Troy heard us and without hesitation embraced the little group, put his faith God and prayed earnestly for her health, fully believing God would take care of her. You see, we became vessels of God’s mercy, giving Troy truth from the word of God, encouragement, a place to live, food to eat, a new family and friends, but God made a believer out of him with a movement in His life. It’s the kind of movement we can’t possibly take credit for; it happens only when God touches flesh and Troy will never forget it. You can count Troy in…or should I say “en”. (…in, on, at, by any place or thing, with the primary idea of rest.)

Training Camp starts June 11 and I encourage all of you to come to Lebanon. Hear what God has to say through our teachers, see what God is doing in the lives of the students and be a vessel in whatever way He leads. If you would like to serve with us, there are many needs: financial support for the Practical Ministry School and The Lazarus Project, prayer and encouragement for each student, helping hands, more smiling faces…

Denise Mistich
www.lazarus-project.com

Sanctified

At least in Nazarene circles, there seems to be much debate these days over this one word.  Am I sanctified?  If I am, what does that mean?  Can I “lose it,” become un-sanctified.  Are there outward signs of a person who is sanctified?  If I’m a girl, do I have to grow my hair long and then put it in a bun?  If I’m a guy, do I throw out all my shorts and tank tops?  These are the kinds of comments I hear when the word sanctified comes up for discussion.

If you were to search the word “Sanctify” in a NIV translation of the Bible, you would find it used twice in John 17:17-19, once in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and once in Hebrews 9:13.  If you were to dig a little deeper, you would find that all four uses of this word are translated from the same Greek word, hagiazo, and that it means to consecrate, set apart (for sacred use), or to make holy.

Most times, the dispute surrounding this word arises when a person or group seeks to define what being consecrated, set apart, or to be made holy actually looks like in day to day living.  Of course, I believe there are physical displays of sanctification, but who can actually nail them down and who would be the person or group to do that.

As is the case with every question I have, I return to the Bible to find my answer.  I found it intriguing that Jesus used the word twice in John 17 in his lengthy discourse to his disciples and yet did not use the word in any of his teachings up to that point.  It’s not found in any of his teachings during his multiple visits to the temple.  It’s not found in his monumental conversation with Nicodemus.  It’s not even found in his thorough explanation of being a disciple to the crowd of 5,000 in John chapter 6.

This might seem to lessen the weight of Jesus’ sanctification teaching in chapter 17, but if you have followed closely Jesus’ message as a whole over the prior 16 chapters, you would see that the word “sanctification” culminates in this chapter and does not make its first appearance.  In other words, though the word has not been used up to this point, the concept has been clearly defined.

 Sanctified or Sinful

The last 12 verses of this chapter contain the decisive moment where many who have followed Jesus as disciples turn back and no longer follow Him.  Jesus’ response in verse 61 is very important, for it reveals the spiritual condition of sin (in the context of our discussion; not being sanctified) that has captured the 5,000 crowd.

Aware

Jesus is aware of the crowd’s spiritual condition.  The word aware is the Greek word oida and conveys a knowledge that comes from facts or information.  In Matthew 6:8, Jesus teaches that in prayer, the Father already knows what we need before we ask.  This is our word.  Just as the Father already has the information that we bring to Him in our prayers, so Jesus already knew of the 5,000 crowds spiritual condition before they began to argue among themselves.

There is much we could say about this spiritual condition and how Jesus knew about it, but it is enough to say, considering the conversation from verses 25-59, that the spiritual condition of a person bears fruit that is easily seen by a disciple.  Jesus’ awareness in this passage is not a supernatural phenomenon as much as it is a common supernatural result of one who is sourced by the Spirit.

Grumbling

Jesus compares the 5,000′s spiritual condition to that of their forefather’s by referring to both groups as grumblers.  As their forefathers grumbled and did not trust, so they also are grumbling and not trusting.  The Greek word translated “grumbling” describes an inward condition that breaks forth out of the mouth.  In this crowd’s case, it is a deep discontent with Jesus and His teaching about the disciple lifestyle.

Jesus uses phrases like “the work of God is this: to trust in the One He has sent” (v29), “…I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of Him who sent me” (v38), and “…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (v53), to convey to this crowd what the lifestyle of a true disciple looks like.  As Jesus lived trusting the Father, His disciples will live trusting in Him.

Offend

There are two extremely important aspects to Jesus’ statement, “Does this offend you.”  The first is the word Jesus uses that we translate “offend” and the second is that it is a question.

The word translated “offend” literally means to cause to sin.  The spiritual condition of the 5,000 crowd is sinful.  This is important and alarming, for the result of resisting the lifestyle Jesus called and demonstrated to us, is rebellion against God.

And the way in which Jesus states this is also important.  It is a question that reveals an awareness of the Truth.  In our cultural language today, we would say, “Really?”  Jesus is saying in shock and horror, “this is what is causing you to sin?” or “You are resisting me because you are not willing to be impartial to my heart and will?”  The question of their sin reveals Jesus stunned response to the basics of discipleship.

Sanctification: 

An Inward Work of the Holy Spirit

To be sanctified is to be set-apart by the Holy Spirit to Jesus.  It is to be enabled by the Holy Spirit to trust Jesus unequivocally.  To be sanctified is to belong to Jesus so completely, that our mind, our heart, and even our will is so intimately sewn together with His, that it is impossible to tell where Jesus ends and the disciple begins.  This is not super or next-level Christianity, but ordinary, average, everyday, don’t-get-into-heaven-without-it Christianity.  What we learn from Jesus is that sanctification is the natural progression of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple.

In regard to the physical displays of sanctification, it is not surprising that Jesus does not bring up anywhere in John’s Gospel outward aspects of the disciple (sanctified one). He does not give details concerning clothing, hair, makeup, or jewelry.  In fact, you are under the conclusion after readying John’s Gospel, that these issues are non-issues for those who are disciples.

My aim and hope for you is the same for myself.  I pray that Jesus would so capture us that the outward displays of our life would testify to His inward work.  I pray that as we live in continual trust in Jesus, our outward physical life would bend and flex to the demands of a heart and will that is saturated with the Person of Jesus.  I pray that it may it be so in our lives. •

First Layer

1 large or 2 small pkgs. lime Jello (I use sugar free.)

2 Cups boiling water

10 ice Cubes

1 Can Crushed Pineapple (drain and reserve juice for third layer.)

Dissolve Jello in boiling water.

Add ice cubes and stir until dissolved.

Stir in drained pineapple and pour into 9×13 dish and refrigerate until set.

Second Layer

1 pkg. Dream Whip prepared according to directions.

8 ounces cream cheese (softened)

Whip prepared Dream Whip and softened cream cheese.

Spread over first layer.

Third Layer

3 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 Cup reserved pineapple juice

1/3 Cup sugar

3 eggs

Mix these ingredients together.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick.

Cover mixture with plastic wrap to prevent film.

When completely cool, spread over second layer.

Fourth Layer

6 ounces finely grated Colby Cheese

Sprinkle over third layer.

– Weston, Malawi, Central Africa –

This is just one of many comments we receive on the training materials that we send out around the world.

In the month of January, we had 3 new contacts to which we sent materials. From our experience, we found that it is best to start small and see what happens. We usually send out one course “Being What You’ve Become.” If they’re interested, we hear from them again wanting more. If they’re not interested, we haven’t wasted the resources of sending a full package. One of the contacts is from India. We have been very impressed with the emails that we receive from him

The second contact is from Ensenada, Mexico. This is very exciting for us as we have never had a Spanish speaking Training Center before. We have sent materials to Honduras, but don’t know if there is any training at this point so we have not included that country in our numbers at this time.

The third contact is from Opuwo, Namibia. He is the very first to contact us from his country. We are anxious to see if this transpires into a training center. Namibia is in central Africa and even though we have many centers in Malawi which is a bordering country, it is too far to travel there for training.

With the large donation we received last year, we opened 7 new training centers. All were in different regions of Malawi and Uganda and under direction of seasoned Directors. All 7 of these centers were started by graduates of existing training centers.  Once many students graduate, they have a desire to start a Training Center in their area. Due to limited travel, it is impossible for some to get this training if they don’t have a Center convenient. Many students still have to travel by foot or bicycle for more than 10 miles each way. This is why we have so many people waiting to receive training packages. The list is getting longer and longer.

Just in the month of December, we printed and mailed over 400 Graduation Certificates to locations in Africa alone. We have not idea of the exact number of students that graduated, as many of the centers do their own certificates in other countries. Our estimate is somewhere over 1,000 graduates. Imagine the impact this is having in the world around us. There is no limit to the possibility to spread of the message via these training packages.

Right now there have been 175 Training Centers established in 24 countries.

In the last 2 weeks, we have completed mounds of paperwork for our Homeland Security as we are inviting 6 international students to come for one year training in Lebanon at the Cross Style Practical Ministry School. Please be much in prayer for favor for the H3 visas which we have applied for on behalf of these who have been invited.  We were blessed to receive the $1,950 needed to make these applications, but please pray for the funds needed to provide travel.  It will take about $10,000.

Also please pray for each of the students to be open and receptive to what Jesus wants to accomplish in all this. •

I am strongly attracted to Jesus.  There is something about Him alluring me into His presence.  I am drawn like metal to a magnet, a fly to honey, or hunger to food.  I cannot stay away from Him.  It is so strong you might call it an addiction, only with positive results.  I cannot conceive of living one moment without His presence.  Why would I want to?  Let me attempt to explain:

In Genesis 15 God announces His covenant to Abram, to give him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. God has Abram kill and divide the carcasses of several animals and place the halves of the carcasses opposite each other, with a path in between. Then, God has His very presence pass – in the form of a smoking fire-pot with a blazing torch – between the carcass halves, as Abram lies in a deep sleep. This procedure communicated in Abram’s day that the party passing between the carcasses is asking that it would be to him as it is to the slaughtered and torn apart animals if he does not come through on His promise. Abram has no ability to enact this covenant; unthinkably, God has called down a curse upon Himself if He does not fulfill His Word.

We hope you can see how clearly this brief passage is pointing us to the need for Jesus. When we were unable and unwilling to desire God, God came and was torn apart, His Heart exposed and bleeding on us with incomprehensible love! Jesus fulfills the promise of God by the power of the Spirit. We are those on whom “the fulfillment of the ages has come” (1 Cor. 10:11); every promise of God has been made available to us in the Person, Presence and Power of Jesus. Won’t you respond to this Radical Love with us?

Quincy Wheeler & NRJohnson
CSConnection Editors

Background information

Paul had heard about the Gentiles’ faith in Rome for quite some time, and had wanted to visit them for several years. He had not been able to get over there to see them until the Lord had timed it out for him to pass through on his way to Spain. The whole point of Paul visiting the church in Rome was not to lecture them about turning from their sins, but to help bring about encouragement in their faith. The interesting aspect of Paul’s letter to the Romans is how he presents the encouragement. He encourages them through the understanding of facts, which is mainly telling them the truth of who they are in Christ. He believes in the church and what they are doing there in Rome, and he wants to help direct them in leading more people to Christ. Paul is not only going to Rome to encourage the people, but he is also going so that the people may bring some encouragement to him. He is writing the entire book of Romans based on this idea of faith, and what faith looks like. He wants to encourage the people to remain strong in their faith because the people’s belief in Jesus is paying off.

“Through him and by His name sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” (Romans 1:5)

Word Study

Name (Greek: “onoma”)

4 definitions -

1. Identification- who you are identified as. Examples- (1) someone takes a fingerprint of you, (2) even though you have the same name as someone else you are a different person because of your gene makeup.
2. Covering- what makes up your name and who you are, meaning your behavior, your mindset, your body, how you act, and your personality.
3. Reckoning- the way people perceive you. Example- People may see you as a joyful person or someone of worth.
4. Reputation- reputation for which your name holds. Example- What kind of reputation do you have with others? Do people see you as kind and loving or angry and bitter?

Context Information

Old Testament

• Reputation was huge in the OT, because it had an indication of memory or fame.
• When you hold a good name, it presents a way of saying that a person has a reputation of integrity. (Proverbs 22:1)
• God named Abraham and David with greatness in Genesis 12:2 and 2 Samuel 7:9. This means that their names will hold legacies and be honored by their descendants.
• When a person died in the OT, their name would be remembered by their children, this is why it was so tragic to die without having any sons or children.
• Names represented people the same way that idols were thought to represent the false gods.
• A name was a point of access, and naming or having knowledge of a name was thought to give one person’s power over another.
• Hebrew names were sometimes considered as a reflection of character or destiny. Example- Abraham and Sarah’s names were changed by God as well as Jacob’s name being changed to Israel. God changed their names to either reflect a transformation in their relationships with Him or a prophetic notion of his plans for them.
• In the Hebrew days, people’s names were literally based on their character. Example- Esua was a hairy man and his name literally meant hairy beast.

Applying Context to our lives

When we become Christians we take on Christ’s name as well as everything His name upholds. We take on His covering, meaning that we take on His person, what His behavior is like, what His personality is like, what His character is like. We also take on his reckoning of how people perceive Him such as His power, His worth, His faithfulness, His prevenient grace. When we carry all this, which is not only the name of Christ, we also must remember that we carry His person as well. We must remember that we are held responsible for Christ’s name and that we must uphold His reputation to a high degree. When we take on His name we are taking on His person as well. There are several “Christians” who will consider themselves as taking on Christ’s name, but then they do not reflect His person. We must uphold Christ’s name, meaning that we do not diminish it to any degree. We are responsible for keeping Christ’s name sacred and allowing people to see the covering that takes hold of our lives in His name. 

“Saturation” is a fundamental, foundation, and vital part of my spiritual life.  It has been from my formative teen years.  The simplicity of the idea has often startled and sometimes embarrassed me.  One would like to propose some deep, profound secret to spiritual victory.  Saturation in the Written Word is the simple process of soaking, absorbing, and being permeated by a passage.  There is no skillful technique, knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, or academic status.  The Word, sharper than a two-edged sword, will do its work.

In contrast to this simplicity of “saturation” are the profound, deep, and unexplainable affects.  It leaves one with his mouth open in astonishment; how do I know this truth?  How did I discover this revelation?  Every Christian wants this kind of involvement in the Word of God; but saturation seems too easy to be true.

If one does venture into “saturation,” there is immediate danger.  It seems there is a pull to the extreme left or right.  One extreme view sees “saturation” as reading the passage repeatedly.  If one simply quotes the passage, memorizes its content, the deep revelation of its truth will become known.  Thoughts come to mind and are quickly written down.  Did God speak these thoughts?  Did I simply conjure them from my own experience?

On the other side is the danger of limiting my understanding to academic studies.  For some “saturation” may mean being a student.  One may saturate in the passage by studying commentaries, the Greek words, and the context.  There are massive amounts of material available for the serious Bible student.  But again the same questions need to be answered.  Did God speak these thoughts?  Did I simply conjure them from my own experience?

“Saturation” is properly understood between these two extremes.  Simply reading the passage again and again is not enough.  There is great value in this process; but this does not contain the whole.   Concentrated study must take place during the saturation process.  The context of the passage must be understood.  It is not wrong to apply all the academic skills available to the individual.  But there is a plus factor, which must not be discounted.  It is the Living Word!  The Author must be at the heart of the saturation.  He knows the intent of the passage; He understands the depth of the truth.  When I read the passage are the lips of the Author parting to speak His truth directly to my life?  Isn’t this the secret to “saturation?

I am convinced the Author will not let me miss the truth of the passage.  He is more desirous for me to know truth than I am to know it.  If I give Him time by saturating in the passage, both by reading and by study, He will reveal Himself; He is the Truth! •