Bartimaeus A Man Who Took Steps To Change His Life That We Can Use To Chang

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL---------------The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be." "One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand." "Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil." "Three: I will be able to correct mistakes you might make." "Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside." "Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now remember the pencil is like you. Always remember it and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person. Three: God will be able to forgive mistakes you might make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties. By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

Bartimaeus a man who took steps to change his life that we can use to change our lives. Mark 10:42-52

Mark 10:42-52

Jesus called the apostles and said, "You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. [43] But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. [44] Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone. [45] It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people."[46] Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus, his disciples, and many people were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. [47] When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth {was passing by}, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

[48] The people told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

[49] Jesus stopped and said, "Call him!" They called the blind man and told him, "Cheer up! Get up! He’s calling you." [50] The blind man threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

[51] Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"

The blind man said, "Teacher, I want to see again."

[52] Jesus told him, "Go, your faith has made you well."

At once he could see again, and he followed Jesus on the road.

In this scripture, we see a demonstration of the steps one man took to change his life. We find here the basic steps we need to change our lives – 7 basic steps to get out of hopelessness. Jesus had been preaching and teaching in the area around the Sea of Galilee. It was on his way to Jerusalem, he passed through Jericho and there he encounters a blind man named Bartimaeus. What steps do we find here to help us?

1 – YOU NEED TO Assume responsibility For Your Life! : “When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out.” One needs to own up to your responsibility. Many people talk about their problems and they say that it’s always someone else’s fault? So we have teenagers who place blame on their parents. We have parents who place the blame on their children. We have workers who place the blame on their co-workers or their boss. There are things that will happen to you that you cannot control, but you can be in command of your reaction. Let’s repeat that. There are things that will happen to you that you cannot control, but you can be in command of your reaction. Have you not heard people say “He makes me so mad” or “She makes me so mad”? Who has control over you to make you mad? The person who can make you mad is the one you see in the mirror. True people do things that upset you, things you do not like, things that hurt you. You make the decision how to respond. Look at what Bartimaeus did. He didn’t blame someone else. He didn’t think that God or anyone else owed him something. He went go to Jesus. He knew his help was in a power higher than himself. He cried out to Jesus for help. He humbled himself and sought help and deliverance. He was not the one who made himself blind but instead of blaming others he cried out for help from the One who made sight.