RAMBLINGS: CAT ON THE BIBLE

RAMBLING:CAT ON THE BIBLE
More often than not when I decide to sit down and do paper work guess who comes and lays right on top of the papers? My cats or at least one of them will. This little ceremony is also carried out when I am reading. Dare I without thinking lay down my book, be it a story book or the Bible, one of my "boys" is sure to make himself comfortable on whatever I a reading and its not that easy to dislodge them either. Now this is a sign of love and affection on their part and I am honoured that they love being near me. There is a lesson here on presistence and demanding total attention, . Note the two passages of scripture below, both taken from Mark's Gospel.

1 And when he came into Capernaum again after some days, the news went about that he was in the house.

2 And a great number had come together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he gave them teaching.

3 And four men came to him with one on a bed who had no power of moving.

4 And when they were unable to get near him because of all the people, they got the roof uncovered where he was: and when it was broken up, they let down the bed on which the man was.

5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to him, Son, you have forgiveness for your sins.

6 But there were certain of the scribes seated there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why does this man say such things? he has no respect for God: from whom does forgiveness come but from God only?

8 And Jesus, having knowledge in his spirit of their thoughts, said to them, Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?

9 Which is the simpler, to say to a man who is ill, You have forgiveness for your sins, or, Get up, take up your bed, and go?

10 But so that you may see that the Son of man has authority for the forgiveness of sins on earth, (he said to the man,)

11 I say to you, Get up, take up your bed, and go to your house.

12 And he got up, and straight away took up the bed and went out before them all, so that they were all full of wonder, and gave glory to God, saying, We have never seen anything like this.
Mark 2:1-12 (BBE)

The friends of the paralytic were determined to have their friend healed by Jesus. They couldn't get through the crowds so they tore a hole in the roof and lowered their sick friend down right in front of Jesus who was impressed with their faith that He healed this man in both body and soul.Presistent faith healed his body, joy grew into love.

24 And he went away from there to the country of Tyre and Sidon. And he went into a house, desiring that no man might have knowledge of it: and he was not able to keep it secret.

25 But a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having had news of him, came straight away and went down at his feet.

26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syro-phoenician by birth: and she made a request to him that he would send the evil spirit out of her daughter.

27 And he said to her, Let the children first have their food: for it is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs.

28 But she said to him in answer, Yes, Lord: even the dogs under the table take the bits dropped by the children.

29 And he said to her, For this saying go your way; the evil spirit has gone out of your daughter.

30 And she went away to her house, and saw the child on the bed, and the evil spirit gone out.
Mark 7:24-30 (BBE)

I love this account. Here is a gentile woman who is determined to seek Jesus help for her demon possessed daughter. Jesus begins with a test which does not deter her one bit. Her love for her daughter and her faith in Christ make her so determined to seek help for her loved one she stands her ground, her faith unwavering and Jesus knowing her heart reaches out and grants her request - her daughter is free from the chains of demon possession.
In both stories, the friends of the paralytic and the mother of a demon possessed daughter sought nothing for themselves but for their loved ones. They demonstrated a strong faith in spite of all the odds against them. They sought Jesus and they were determined to seek Him, to get His help and they refused to leave until they got the help they needed. I was listening to Charles Price, of the Peoples Church, this morning and his message was the fourth in a serise of studies on prayer. Mr. Price gave four causes that hinder our prayers from being answered.
(1) Attitudes towards self
(2) Attitude towards sin (esp. PET SINS we won't let go of)
(3) Attitude towards our submission to God
(4) Attitudes towards to others 1 Peter 3:7 (husbands please note carefully) 1 John 4:20
So, learn a lesson from the cat on the Bible
skypilot.