kj52's Podcast

Here is the book of mark mixtape in individual mp3 format in a compressed zip file format.. (each containing a firestarter bible study w/ notes) 

READ: Mark 1:1-20 

THINK: Before Jesus began His public ministry, John the baptist prepared the way and previewed the message. That message was simple: turn from your own way and turn toward God and His way. On your own, that transformation would be impossible. But the good news is that Jesus, God’s son, made the way for you to have a personal relationship with God by giving His own life to pay the price for every wrong you’ve ever done. If you confess your wrongdoing and surrender your old life to Jesus, He will give you new and eternal life through the power of the Holy Spirit who wants to live in and through you. 

READ: Mark 1:21-45 

THINK: Have you ever known of someone who had a position of authority but seemed to lack compassion or concern for people? Then again, you may know a person who is kind and compassionate, but who lacks the opportunity and resources to do everything he or she would like to do for others. Jesus is someone you can know personally who has ultimate power and authority over everything. Yet not only does He have the ability to help and heal, He also has the desire to show compassion and do what’s best for you in every situation. Even more, He has the ability and the desire to demonstrate His power and compassion through you. 

READ: Mark 2:1-22 

THINK: There are a lot of people in the world who don’t think they need God. Some simply want to live life on their own terms. Others may not totally disregard God, but they think that their own efforts are good enough to assure them favor with Him. As a result, they fail to entrust their lives and spiritual salvation to God’s Son, Jesus, who provided the only true way to eternal life with God. Sadly, many people not only reject Jesus themselves, they make it difficult for others to find hope and fulfillment through Him. Then again, there are people who not only follow Jesus, they do what they can to help others find forgiveness, hope and new life through Him. Which of these descriptions fits you? 

READ: Mark 2:23—3:12 

THINK: How often do you find yourself getting angry, and what kinds of things make you angry? Do you usually feel right in getting angry, or do you frequently regret it? And what kinds of consequences often result from your anger? Like any emotion, anger can arise for a variety of reasons and lead to any number of outcomes—some good and some bad. Anger itself is not often the issue. Something deeper usually triggers it. While you cannot always control the circumstances, you can control your emotions so that you respond appropriately to people and situations. 

READ: Mark 3:13-35 

THINK: There is a difference between religion and following Jesus. Religion has to do with rules and routines aimed at reaching God. But following Jesus is not about religion; it’s about a relationship in which God made His way to people and opened the way for us to come freely to Him. Rules and routines have their place, but they do not help us earn God’s favor. As a follower of Jesus, your primary concern should be to fulfill His ultimate desire, which is for you to be with Him. Everything else you do for God must flow out of your relationship with Him. 

READ: Mark 4:1-20 

THINK: God never intended for it to be hard to receive His message. When people hear an inspiring challenge from God’s Word it’s not extremely difficult to sense the Holy Spirit’s leading and make an initial response to Christ. But when it comes to following through on that commitment and actually growing in a relationship with Him, God’s Word never promises that it will be easy. In fact, the Bible warns of many obstacles and forms of opposition that will try to deter and destroy your devotion to Jesus. But it also promises that if you rely on God and remain deeply devoted to Christ, you will grow spiritually and be fruitful in serving God. 

READ: Mark 4:21-41 

THINK: Have you ever asked God to take you deeper spiritually or to help you understand more about Him and His purposes? Then ask yourself this question: What am I doing with what He has already shown me? Many times, Christians ask God to reveal more to them about His Word, yet they are not necessarily doing anything with what they already know. Most Christians know far more about God and His Word than they ever put into practice. So why should God keep showing us more if we are not fully utilizing what He has shown us already? Certainly, God will keep taking us deeper spiritually if we keep depending on Him and are determined to apply His Word to our lives in specific and practical ways. 

READ: Mark 5:1-20 

THINK: Few people question the fact that evil exists. Its effects are evident in the suffering and distress that impact all of us in some way. Thankfully, God is all-powerful and He will help us overcome evil if we rely on Him. That doesn’t mean our lives will be free from pain and hardship, which will always be a part of life in a world that defies God. But Jesus came to free us from being trapped and enslaved by evil. Oddly, people often choose to remain under evil influences, because God’s plans and purposes seem to disrupt their way of life. When God works in powerful ways, it will not always be convenient for us. But God knows what’s best. If we let Him have His way in our lives, we’ll experience the fulfillment He intends, regardless of the difficulties we face. 

READ: Mark 5:21-43 

THINK: It’s probably safe to assume that all of those who believe in God would like to witness more miracles. But we may not even recognize most of the supernatural ways in which He guides, protects and works in our lives every day. The fact is, we may miss the most extraordinary things God wants to do through us because we give up hope or because we do not patiently wait for Him to work in His own time and way. But when people humbly approach God and dare to press on in their faith regardless of the circumstances, God will eventually honor himself through them in undeniably powerful ways. 

READ: Mark 6:1-29 

THINK: Do you ever find yourself taking God for granted? Perhaps it’s even easy to consider Jesus’ to be so familiar that you no longer rely on Him for anything extraordinary. But there are few things God values more than the faith of those who claim to love and follow Jesus. The fact is that God wants to do powerful works through His people—things so extraordinary that few could deny that God is responsible for these things. But Jesus’ followers must trust Him completely if He is to use them in this way. They must obey the instructions in His Word and not worry what others think. Then, God will do things that will be difficult for anyone to take for granted. 

READ: Mark 6:30-56 

THINK: The Biblical account of Jesus’ words and works makes it obvious that crowds of people from nearly every walk of life were desperate to see Jesus and to witness His miraculous power. But are people in most societies today this anxious to encounter Jesus and to experience His power? Consider the impression that many people have of Jesus and where they get that impression. Could it be that people are not seeing Jesus for who He really is because those who claim to follow Him are not letting His personality and power show in their lives? Might this have something to do with why we don’t often see the miracles described in the Bible? Remember, Jesus hasn’t changed. He still has compassion for people and still wants to help and heal in miraculous ways. 

READ: Mark 7:1-23 

THINK: Serious problems arise when rules, rituals and routines get in the way of a person’s relationship with God. In the case of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, physical cleanliness was not the problem. It was the fact that traditions took priority over true worship. Rules and routines have a place, and Christians should still live by the moral and ethical principles of God’s law. But following these will not help anyone gain God’s favor or attain spiritual salvation, which is not possible apart from faith in Christ. Following God’s commands and living by His standards is something we should do out of love and gratitude to Him. But we can only do this with His help. 

READ: Mark 7:24—8:13 

THINK: Throughout the Gospel accounts of Jesus life, two things are typically evident when Jesus performs miracles for people: His compassion and their faith. Jesus does not do miracles simply to prove himself, or to show off His power, or as a sign for those who otherwise refuse to believe. He does these extraordinary works because He feels sincere empathy for people who are hurting, suffering or in need. But He does expect something from us when we come to Him with our needs. Jesus expects us to entrust our lives and situations completely to Him. And He wants us to demonstrate persistent dependence on Him, even when we do not understand everything or see immediate results. 

READ: Mark 8:14-26 

THINK: Why is it that some people would not believe in God or accept Christ no matter how much evidence they had of His existence, love and power? Yet, there are others who would never give up their faith in God or love for Jesus despite a lack of visible signs or no apparent answers to their prayers. The difference comes down to an attitude of the heart and an openness to God that is willing to trust His Word and rely on what they know is true, no matter what they see. That is the essence of genuine faith, and it is the difference between those to whom God ultimately reveals himself and those who never experience the joy and fulfillment He offers.

READ: Mark 8:27—9:13 THINK: Have you ever given up something of little value in exchange for something of tremendous value? Did you consider that a big sacrifice? Not likely. If you’ve followed Jesus for any length of time, you’ve likely discovered that His plans don’t always seem to make sense. But unless you’re prepared to put aside your own ideals and perceptions, you could find yourself opposing His purposes without even realizing it. Even Jesus closest followers failed to comprehend God’s plan. Jesus knew He would suffer, be rejected, and ultimately face death at the hand of His opponents, but that was not acceptable to some of His followers. They didn’t realize that Jesus had to give His life in order to give us life. And nothing would deter Him from that mission. Today, if you’re willing to give up your own way of life for Jesus and let your identity get wrapped up in His, you can take part in His ongoing mission to bring forgiveness, hope and new life to spiritually lost people around the world. 

READ: Mark 9:14-32 

THINK: The Bible talks a lot about faith—how much God values it, how much we need it, and how much it can accomplish if directed properly. Yet, as frail humans, we often struggle with doubts about what God wants to do in and through us. Thankfully, the Lord is patient and willing to help us grow in faith and to work through issues and questions that could keep us from experiencing all that God intends. But as we wrestle with our own inadequacies, reservations and limitations, we must separate these issues from our confidence in God’s capability. Though we may sometimes wonder if God will do certain things, we should not question the fact that He can do whatever He desires and whatever is needed in any situation. 

READ: Mark 9:33-50 

THINK: Who is watching you and what kind of influence are you having on them? You may not feel that anyone is looking to you for anything. But someone, somewhere, will be impacted by your example, especially if they know you follow Christ. If nothing else, some may get their impression of what Jesus is like based on what they see in you. Your greatest potential influence may be on kids younger than you, perhaps your siblings or other kids in your church or neighborhood. Whether you realize it or not, you have a responsibility to lead people to Jesus by your example. Will you make it easier or more difficult for those around you to find Jesus? 

READ: Mark 10:1-31 

THINK: Have you ever been accused of being childish? Typically, that’s not a compliment. But in a very distinct way, God wants His people to be like little children in their humility and openness toward Him and in their simple approach to faith. As you get older, you may already notice the tendency to become weighed down and distracted by the problems, issues and concerns of life. These things will definitely test your devotion to God. And if your priorities begin to get out of line, God will work to expose the problems and to rid your life of anything that could keep you from following His purposes and experiencing the life He intends for you. 

READ: Mark 10:32-52 

THINK: From the time He walked the earth, Jesus inspired a range of reactions unlike anyone else who has ever lived. From unreserved love to unwarranted hatred, from unbridled joy to unparalleled sorrow, from profound faith to intense fear, people responded to Jesus with a wide array emotions. But this was consistent with His life’s mission, which was a paradox—a seeming contradiction—as He would be wounded for our healing and die to give us life. And His teaching was also a paradox to most people as they could not comprehend how one could find life by losing it, be first by being last, and exercise authority by being a servant. But those who accept Jesus’ life and live by His teaching will find fulfilment beyond anything they could comprehend. 

READ: Mark 11:1-26 

THINK: People have a lot of misconceptions about Jesus. Some people “accept” Him based on these assump- tions. But when they find that He does not fit their misguided perceptions, they are offended by Him and it becomes apparent that their faith was insincere and self-serving. But we do not have to speculate about Jesus or wonder what He’s really like. He has revealed himself clearly through His written Word—the Bible. Within its pages we get an accurate and uncensored look at His passions and purposes. We see Him respond with both gentleness and severity. We witness His matchless mercy, but we also get a glimpse of His righteous judgment. Through it all, we see what matters most to Jesus and what should matter most to His followers. 

READ: Mark 11:27—12:17 

THINK: It’s long been popular, even expected, among younger people—particularly during the teen years—to test boundaries and to question authority. Wise youth recognize when this is appropriate and when it’s not. And wise leaders do not fall into the trap of unproductive argument and combative conversation in an effort to assert their authority. Instead, they gauge their responses, ask informed questions and lead by example. They don’t demand respect because of their position; they inspire respect by persuasive passion. No one better demonstrated this than Jesus. Many religious leaders of Jesus’ time questioned His authority and opposed His teaching because it exposed their hypocrisy. But Jesus saw through their veiled attempts to trap Him with words. He responded with thought-provoking insight that silenced His critics, amazed the crowds and inspired confidence in those who followed Him. 

READ: Mark 12:18-44 

THINK: The Bible is packed with practical instruction, guidelines and direct commands from God. All of these principles are aimed at revealing His character and principles, helping us to experience productive and fulfilling lives, and pointing us to our need for God. Taken individually, the vast number of guidelines in God’s Word—though all for our good—might seem completely overwhelming. But Jesus summed up all of God’s life instructions in two basic commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” By following these two prime directives, God’s people—with His help—will fulfill the requirements of God’s perfect law. 

READ: Mark 13:1-37 

THINK: Have you ever noticed that whenever world events or catastrophes resemble descriptions given in the Bible of end-time events, people suddenly become interested in spiritual issues and what God says in His Word? That’s a natural response from people who know they are missing something in life. But don’t wait for a sign or event to point you to God’s Word or inspire you to trust Him. Learn the Word now. Be prepared, be alert and be ready at all times for Jesus’ return. 

READ: Mark 14:1-26 

THINK: Did Jesus lack concern for the poor? Certainly not! No one will ever care more for the poor—or for any of us—than Jesus. He proved His ultimate compassion by laying down His life to provide all of us with what we really need: the opportunity for forgiveness, hope, new life and a personal relationship with Him. His whole time on earth was aimed at fulfilling that purpose. Along the way He continually gave of himself to comfort, heal, enrich and restore countless lives. But knowing that His time on earth was short, Jesus infinitely valued the isolated moments when individuals disregarded the peer pressure and did something extra-special just for Him. These individuals seized opportunities that few others recognized, and Jesus would not deny them the privilege of ministering directly to Him. 

READ: Mark 15:1-20 

THINK: Have you ever noticed how fickle people can be—how quickly their moods, opinions and behaviors can be swayed depending on the situation or how others respond to them? Have you also noticed how people will do things when they are with a group or in a crowd—things they would never do, or even consider, on their own? Call it peer pressure, a group dynamic, a herd mentality—call it whatever you want—but it’s a sad reality that unrestrained crowds tend to throw aside inhibitions and bring out the worst in people. And when a few lose control, others often follow, all for the sake of two extremes—getting attention or trying to blend in. Christ’s followers, however, must dare to be different, resisting the inclination to imitate destructive behaviors. Instead, they must lead by example and seek to influence others for good. 

READ: Mark 15:21-47 

THINK: Why did Jesus endure all the rejection and pain He encountered during His life and ministry—particularly as His death approached? He certainly didn’t deserve the abuse, and He didn’t pursue this path of opposition for His own sake, other than the fact that He wanted to relate to us in a personal way. But that was not possible without God’s intervention. He could not have a relationship with people who have all chosen to go their own way and defy Him. That’s what sin is, and it separates us all from God. Ultimately, our sin warrants death and eternal separation from Him. The only way to restore that relationship was for God himself to provide the perfect payment for sin’s penalty, which He did by sending His Son, Jesus, to suffer sin’s ultimate consequences in our place. Jesus died to provide forgiveness and new life for those who entrust themselves to Him. That’s the message of hope His followers have the privilege of sharing with everyone else, even those who continue to reject Him. 

READ: Mark 16:1-20 

THINK: Since we have full access to God’s written Word, we may sometimes find it difficult to relate to the emotions and experiences of people we read about in the Bible. After all, it’s always easier in retrospect to over- dramatize situations, to excessively glorify people’s faith, and to criticize their failures. But certainly we would have emerged with different perspectives had we actually been there and lived through events described in the Bible.