Matt 1:17-25
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born.
His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.
But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
19 Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly,
so as not to disgrace her publicly.
20 As he considered this, he fell asleep,
and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
"Joseph, son of David," the angel said,
"do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary.
For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.
21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:
23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and he will be called Immanuel
(meaning, God is with us)."
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded.
He brought Mary home to be his wife, 25 but she remained a virgin until her son was born.
And Joseph named him Jesus.
(NLT)
Joseph did as the Lord commanded him to do.
He did not ask questions but he did as the Lord commanded him to do.
When God asks you to do something, do as the Lord commands you to do.
Jesus is the reason for the season; celebrate His birth as your Savior.
Merry Christmas
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Illustration of the Lamp
22 "Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light.
23 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!
24 And be sure to pay attention to what you hear.
The more you do this, the more you will understand — and even more, besides.
25 To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.
But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them."
(NLT)
Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light, it will be made known.
Are you willing to hear? Are you willing to listen? Jesus says here if you are willing to pay attention, if you are willing to truly listen to Him He will give you understanding. You only understand to the level that you listen and reflect on what you heard. The more you pay attention, the more you listen to Jesus -- the more you will understand. How do you do this? You spend time in the Word of God, you meditate on the Word of God, you spend time in prayer to God and you listen to what God has for you to hear. “To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.” God is ready to give you more understanding, to have a deeper relationship with you but are you ready and willing to do the same? God is not going to do everything for you. You are to be a participant in the relationship. You were not created to sit on the sidelines but to be out in the field playing the game. God is ready. Are you ready? God is ready to bless and prosper your life. Be ready, leave your doubts behind, put your faith in Christ, open your heart to Him and go deep.
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22 "Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light.
23 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!
24 And be sure to pay attention to what you hear.
The more you do this, the more you will understand — and even more, besides.
25 To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.
But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them."
(NLT)
Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light, it will be made known.
Are you willing to hear? Are you willing to listen? Jesus says here if you are willing to pay attention, if you are willing to truly listen to Him He will give you understanding. You only understand to the level that you listen and reflect on what you heard. The more you pay attention, the more you listen to Jesus -- the more you will understand. How do you do this? You spend time in the Word of God, you meditate on the Word of God, you spend time in prayer to God and you listen to what God has for you to hear. “To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.” God is ready to give you more understanding, to have a deeper relationship with you but are you ready and willing to do the same? God is not going to do everything for you. You are to be a participant in the relationship. You were not created to sit on the sidelines but to be out in the field playing the game. God is ready. Are you ready? God is ready to bless and prosper your life. Be ready, leave your doubts behind, put your faith in Christ, open your heart to Him and go deep.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Illustration of the Lamp
21 Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp
and then put it under a basket or under a bed to shut out the light?
Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.
(NLT)
This seems to be what most people do. They receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and He lights up their life, then in time they hide the light and they cover it up so no one knows they have the light. This is sad. Christ has given us salvation and it was costly. More than we will ever know and understand. What kind of love is this that someone gives up their life for us? Who shed His blood and died for us, can we really comprehend this? God’s Word calls our sin an open sewer. But through Jesus He has made us clean, He put His light within us and we are to let that light shine for all to see. Jesus brings hope to everyone and He has chosen us to let His light shine through us to everyone else. Let your light shine for all to see and give Jesus all the glory.
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Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
21 Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp
and then put it under a basket or under a bed to shut out the light?
Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.
(NLT)
This seems to be what most people do. They receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and He lights up their life, then in time they hide the light and they cover it up so no one knows they have the light. This is sad. Christ has given us salvation and it was costly. More than we will ever know and understand. What kind of love is this that someone gives up their life for us? Who shed His blood and died for us, can we really comprehend this? God’s Word calls our sin an open sewer. But through Jesus He has made us clean, He put His light within us and we are to let that light shine for all to see. Jesus brings hope to everyone and He has chosen us to let His light shine through us to everyone else. Let your light shine for all to see and give Jesus all the glory.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed
13 "But if you can't understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell?
14 The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God's message to others.
15 The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message,
but then Satan comes at once and takes it away from them.
16 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
17 But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep.
At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or
are persecuted because they believe the word.
18 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News,
19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life,
the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.
20 But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God's message and produce
a huge harvest — thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted."(NLT)
The main thing we need to realize is that we are to bring God’s message to others. Verses 15–19 tell us that some will have problems but not everyone. We are just to keep sharing our faith and the Word with others. Some seed we sow will produce thirty, sixty or even a hundred times. We may not see what the Holy Spirit does in a person's life we are to just share the gospel. Our part is to sow and the Holy Spirit's part is to use what we have sown to bring the person to Christ. As the new Christian grows the Holy Spirit is the one who causes the growth. Therefore just keep on sharing, keep on sowing the seed and the Holy Spirit will produce the results. Then we can praise God for the saved souls. We honor Christ by sharing Him with others.
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13 "But if you can't understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell?
14 The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God's message to others.
15 The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message,
but then Satan comes at once and takes it away from them.
16 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.
17 But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep.
At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or
are persecuted because they believe the word.
18 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News,
19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life,
the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.
20 But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God's message and produce
a huge harvest — thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted."(NLT)
The main thing we need to realize is that we are to bring God’s message to others. Verses 15–19 tell us that some will have problems but not everyone. We are just to keep sharing our faith and the Word with others. Some seed we sow will produce thirty, sixty or even a hundred times. We may not see what the Holy Spirit does in a person's life we are to just share the gospel. Our part is to sow and the Holy Spirit's part is to use what we have sown to bring the person to Christ. As the new Christian grows the Holy Spirit is the one who causes the growth. Therefore just keep on sharing, keep on sowing the seed and the Holy Spirit will produce the results. Then we can praise God for the saved souls. We honor Christ by sharing Him with others.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Mark 4:3-12
Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.
4 As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath,
and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly,
6 but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times
as much as had been planted." Then he said,
9 "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around,
they asked him, "What do your stories mean?"
11 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret about the Kingdom of God.
But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders,
12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
'They see what I do, but they don't perceive its meaning.
They hear my words, but they don't understand.
So they will not turn from their sins and be forgiven.'
(NLT)
When Christ was here on earth He withheld from some the meaning of the Word until the time was right. Only a few were allowed to understand. When Jesus left this earth and sat down at the right hand of God He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us His Word. As we learn the Word of God the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of the Word when we are ready to understand. Our Christian walk is a walk of progress, one step at a time and as we take each step the Spirit opens our minds to the mean of God’s Word and takes us to a deeper relationship with Him. In our walk we are to sow the gospel of Jesus Christ to others but understand in your share that some seed will fall on deaf ears, some seed will fall on shallow soil and not take good root, some will fall among the thorns and be choked out by the world but some will fall on good soil and reap a harvest thirty, sixty and even a hundred times. Therefore do not be weary of sowing the seed of the gospel for the Holy Spirit will do the work of growth in the seed that you have sown. Therefore just continue to sow the seed of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.
4 As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath,
and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly,
6 but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times
as much as had been planted." Then he said,
9 "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around,
they asked him, "What do your stories mean?"
11 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret about the Kingdom of God.
But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders,
12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
'They see what I do, but they don't perceive its meaning.
They hear my words, but they don't understand.
So they will not turn from their sins and be forgiven.'
(NLT)
When Christ was here on earth He withheld from some the meaning of the Word until the time was right. Only a few were allowed to understand. When Jesus left this earth and sat down at the right hand of God He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us His Word. As we learn the Word of God the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of the Word when we are ready to understand. Our Christian walk is a walk of progress, one step at a time and as we take each step the Spirit opens our minds to the mean of God’s Word and takes us to a deeper relationship with Him. In our walk we are to sow the gospel of Jesus Christ to others but understand in your share that some seed will fall on deaf ears, some seed will fall on shallow soil and not take good root, some will fall among the thorns and be choked out by the world but some will fall on good soil and reap a harvest thirty, sixty and even a hundred times. Therefore do not be weary of sowing the seed of the gospel for the Holy Spirit will do the work of growth in the seed that you have sown. Therefore just continue to sow the seed of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Monday, December 19, 2011
Words of Encouragement Mark 4:1-9
Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed
1 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore.
There was such a large crowd along the shore that he got into a boat and sat down and spoke from there.
2 He began to teach the people by telling many stories such as this one:
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.
4 As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath,
and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly,
6 but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times
as much as had been planted." Then he said,
9 "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
(NLT)
Jesus took every opportunity to teach the people how to follow God and to live life. When we read these parables that Jesus spoke we need to spend some time taking in what Jesus is saying. Jesus was willing not only to teach one person but also to teach the crowds the Word of God. Jesus always put an emphasis on knowing God’s Word and knowing it properly. Sometimes the best way to understand God’s Word is to illustrate the meaning of it in terms or story form so that we can understand it better. I like how Jesus begins this story “Listen!” or LISTEN! Jesus wants your attention. He wants you to stop what you are doing or thinking and listen to Him and Him alone. Focus on Jesus not on what is going on around you and be willing to hear and understand what Jesus is saying to you. Slow down and take the time to listen.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed
1 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore.
There was such a large crowd along the shore that he got into a boat and sat down and spoke from there.
2 He began to teach the people by telling many stories such as this one:
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.
4 As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath,
and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly,
6 but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times
as much as had been planted." Then he said,
9 "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
(NLT)
Jesus took every opportunity to teach the people how to follow God and to live life. When we read these parables that Jesus spoke we need to spend some time taking in what Jesus is saying. Jesus was willing not only to teach one person but also to teach the crowds the Word of God. Jesus always put an emphasis on knowing God’s Word and knowing it properly. Sometimes the best way to understand God’s Word is to illustrate the meaning of it in terms or story form so that we can understand it better. I like how Jesus begins this story “Listen!” or LISTEN! Jesus wants your attention. He wants you to stop what you are doing or thinking and listen to Him and Him alone. Focus on Jesus not on what is going on around you and be willing to hear and understand what Jesus is saying to you. Slow down and take the time to listen.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Friday, December 16, 2011
Words of Encouragement Mark 3:31-35
31 Jesus' mother and brothers arrived at the house where he was teaching.
They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd around Jesus, and someone said,
"Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "These are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
(NLT)
Jesus knew what His earthly family was trying to do. He knew they thought He had gone mad (because of the false report they were given) and that they wanted to get Him away from the crowd so they could take Him home. But Jesus knew what was going on. He looked over the crowd of those who had been saved and healed and said, “These are my mother and brothers.” When we receive Jesus into our hearts and are saved we are now part of the family of God and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Spiritual brothers and sisters are actually more family then our earthly biological family, because as a spiritual family we will all be together forever with Christ. Therefore we should treat our spiritual brothers and sisters better than our earthly biological brothers and sisters. A bonus is where our earthly biological brother(s) and sister(s) receive Christ and also become our spiritual brother(s) and sister(s). God wants us to spend time with our new spiritual brothers and sisters getting to know them, spending time with them and worshiping together.
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31 Jesus' mother and brothers arrived at the house where he was teaching.
They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd around Jesus, and someone said,
"Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "These are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
(NLT)
Jesus knew what His earthly family was trying to do. He knew they thought He had gone mad (because of the false report they were given) and that they wanted to get Him away from the crowd so they could take Him home. But Jesus knew what was going on. He looked over the crowd of those who had been saved and healed and said, “These are my mother and brothers.” When we receive Jesus into our hearts and are saved we are now part of the family of God and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Spiritual brothers and sisters are actually more family then our earthly biological family, because as a spiritual family we will all be together forever with Christ. Therefore we should treat our spiritual brothers and sisters better than our earthly biological brothers and sisters. A bonus is where our earthly biological brother(s) and sister(s) receive Christ and also become our spiritual brother(s) and sister(s). God wants us to spend time with our new spiritual brothers and sisters getting to know them, spending time with them and worshiping together.
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Mark 3:28-30
28 "I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy;
29 but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
It is an eternal sin."
30 He told them this because they were saying he had an evil spirit. (NLT)
Jesus was warning these scribes and Pharisees that they were on dangerous ground by saying he had an evil Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who was indwelling Him and to say this of the Holy Spirit is a sin that will never be forgiven. God will forgive those that use His name in vain and forgive those who use Jesus’ name in vain but not that of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Holy not evil. It is the Holy Spirit who indwells us, teaches us, guides and makes us His. Therefore rejoice that Jesus has marked you as His by the Holy Spirit.
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28 "I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy;
29 but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
It is an eternal sin."
30 He told them this because they were saying he had an evil spirit. (NLT)
Jesus was warning these scribes and Pharisees that they were on dangerous ground by saying he had an evil Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who was indwelling Him and to say this of the Holy Spirit is a sin that will never be forgiven. God will forgive those that use His name in vain and forgive those who use Jesus’ name in vain but not that of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Holy not evil. It is the Holy Spirit who indwells us, teaches us, guides and makes us His. Therefore rejoice that Jesus has marked you as His by the Holy Spirit.
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mark 3:22-27
22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said,
"He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons.
That's where he gets the power to cast out demons."
23 Jesus called them over and said to them by way of illustration,
"How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.
25 A home divided against itself is doomed.
26 And if Satan is fighting against himself, how can he stand?
He would never survive.
27 Let me illustrate this. You can't enter a strong man's house
and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed! (NLT)
There always seems to be someone who is jealous of someone who may have something they don’t. The Pharisees said that Jesus’ power was from Satan because they believed they were the spiritual ones of God, not realizing how sinful and corrupted they were on the inside. But Jesus continued to show them that God’s way was not their way and pointed them back to God’s common sense. Satan can not cast out himself, a kingdom at war with itself will collapse, and a home divided against itself is doomed to fail so Jesus is saying that His power is of God not Satan. But the Pharisees were so focused on themselves that they could not see the forest for the trees. Sometimes we can be like this and when we see that we are, stop, pray, and read what God’s Word says to get you back on track. Ignore the rubbish from the world and focus on the Savior.
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22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said,
"He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons.
That's where he gets the power to cast out demons."
23 Jesus called them over and said to them by way of illustration,
"How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.
25 A home divided against itself is doomed.
26 And if Satan is fighting against himself, how can he stand?
He would never survive.
27 Let me illustrate this. You can't enter a strong man's house
and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed! (NLT)
There always seems to be someone who is jealous of someone who may have something they don’t. The Pharisees said that Jesus’ power was from Satan because they believed they were the spiritual ones of God, not realizing how sinful and corrupted they were on the inside. But Jesus continued to show them that God’s way was not their way and pointed them back to God’s common sense. Satan can not cast out himself, a kingdom at war with itself will collapse, and a home divided against itself is doomed to fail so Jesus is saying that His power is of God not Satan. But the Pharisees were so focused on themselves that they could not see the forest for the trees. Sometimes we can be like this and when we see that we are, stop, pray, and read what God’s Word says to get you back on track. Ignore the rubbish from the world and focus on the Savior.
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Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mark 3:13-19
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called the ones he
wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
14 Then he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions,
calling them apostles. He sent them out to preach,
15 and he gave them authority to cast out demons.
16 These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed him Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder" ),
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot ),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). (NLT)
Jesus chose you the same as He chose the twelve apostles, He called you to come. He did not call you then left you with no abilities. As He gave the apostles authority He gives you authority to preach the word, to share the gospel and even to cast out demons. God has given you power. God has given you His Spirit. You need to accept the fact that God loves you and has given you power and authority. Therefore go and be bold for the Lord your God.
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13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called the ones he
wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
14 Then he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions,
calling them apostles. He sent them out to preach,
15 and he gave them authority to cast out demons.
16 These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed him Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder" ),
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot ),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). (NLT)
Jesus chose you the same as He chose the twelve apostles, He called you to come. He did not call you then left you with no abilities. As He gave the apostles authority He gives you authority to preach the word, to share the gospel and even to cast out demons. God has given you power. God has given you His Spirit. You need to accept the fact that God loves you and has given you power and authority. Therefore go and be bold for the Lord your God.
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Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 3:20-21
20 When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying,
the crowds began to gather again,
and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat.
21 When his family heard what was happening,
they tried to take him home with them.
"He's out of his mind," they said.
(NLT)
The question is who told His family what was going on? What did they say to Jesus’ family that would indicate that “He was out of His mind”? Sometimes our enemy will try to use our family against us. Since usually family is close to you the enemy thinks that he can use them to persuade you to turn from following Christ or at least distract you from serving. Jesus’ family of all people should have known that Jesus was always in control. But sometimes family thinks they know what’s best for you. God always knows what is best for you since He created you. Jesus never took His eyes off of the will of God and neither should we. God is the one to be trusted at all times in every situation even when family means well. Love them but follow Jesus.
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20 When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying,
the crowds began to gather again,
and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat.
21 When his family heard what was happening,
they tried to take him home with them.
"He's out of his mind," they said.
(NLT)
The question is who told His family what was going on? What did they say to Jesus’ family that would indicate that “He was out of His mind”? Sometimes our enemy will try to use our family against us. Since usually family is close to you the enemy thinks that he can use them to persuade you to turn from following Christ or at least distract you from serving. Jesus’ family of all people should have known that Jesus was always in control. But sometimes family thinks they know what’s best for you. God always knows what is best for you since He created you. Jesus never took His eyes off of the will of God and neither should we. God is the one to be trusted at all times in every situation even when family means well. Love them but follow Jesus.
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Mark 3:7-12
7 Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake,
followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea,
8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River,
and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon.
The news about his miracles had spread far and wide,
and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves.
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to bring around a boat
and to have it ready in case he was crowded off the beach.
10 There had been many healings that day.
As a result, many sick people were crowding around him, trying to touch him.
11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him,
they would fall down in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!"
12 But Jesus strictly warned them not to say who he was.
(NLT)
Jesus was compassionate. He loved people and gave of Himself. He healed the multitudes because they were lost sheep without a shepherd. The Pharisees had written them off as hopeless, helpless, destitute and not worth saving. Jesus saw these people as worth saving. Why? Because they were created by Him, for Him and He saw their value and worth. People may be down but not out, hurt but worth healing and Jesus sees them as needing Him. We who are saved are to represent Jesus in reaching out to this hurting world. We need to see as Jesus sees not as the world sees. He saw us as worthy and we need to see others as worthy because Jesus sees them as worthy.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
7 Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake,
followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea,
8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River,
and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon.
The news about his miracles had spread far and wide,
and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves.
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to bring around a boat
and to have it ready in case he was crowded off the beach.
10 There had been many healings that day.
As a result, many sick people were crowding around him, trying to touch him.
11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him,
they would fall down in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!"
12 But Jesus strictly warned them not to say who he was.
(NLT)
Jesus was compassionate. He loved people and gave of Himself. He healed the multitudes because they were lost sheep without a shepherd. The Pharisees had written them off as hopeless, helpless, destitute and not worth saving. Jesus saw these people as worth saving. Why? Because they were created by Him, for Him and He saw their value and worth. People may be down but not out, hurt but worth healing and Jesus sees them as needing Him. We who are saved are to represent Jesus in reaching out to this hurting world. We need to see as Jesus sees not as the world sees. He saw us as worthy and we need to see others as worthy because Jesus sees them as worthy.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Mark 3:1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.
2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely.
Would he heal the man's hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him.
3 Jesus said to the man, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath,
or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?"
But they wouldn't answer him.
5 He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts.
Then he said to the man, "Reach out your hand."
The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!
6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.
(NLT)
Here on the Sabbath Jesus heals a man with a deformed hand. The question Jesus asked is "Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" Jesus knew that it was legal to do good on the Sabbath but the Pharisees had already made up their minds to condemn Him. The Sabbath was made for people, to do good for them and it was not about rules and laws. The Sabbath was not made to do harm to people. Jesus is for us 24 hours a day 7 days a week and He seeks our good not our harm. Trials are made to make us better not worse. Jesus wants to build us up not tear us down. Jesus was angry at these men and He had every right to be because of their hard hearts and their refusal to love. When we allow our selfishness to rule our lives instead of God’s love and grace our heart becomes hard. God wants us to be moldable and flexible so that He can fill us with His Holy Spirit. So then, we have a chose to make, is it self’s way with a life of being critical, blaming, complaining, struggling and disappointment or is it Christ’s way with a life full of love, grace, abundance, joy and peace? You reap what you sow, you get out of it what you put into it and if you believe you shall receive. Christ is the only way.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.
2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely.
Would he heal the man's hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him.
3 Jesus said to the man, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath,
or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?"
But they wouldn't answer him.
5 He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts.
Then he said to the man, "Reach out your hand."
The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!
6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.
(NLT)
Here on the Sabbath Jesus heals a man with a deformed hand. The question Jesus asked is "Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" Jesus knew that it was legal to do good on the Sabbath but the Pharisees had already made up their minds to condemn Him. The Sabbath was made for people, to do good for them and it was not about rules and laws. The Sabbath was not made to do harm to people. Jesus is for us 24 hours a day 7 days a week and He seeks our good not our harm. Trials are made to make us better not worse. Jesus wants to build us up not tear us down. Jesus was angry at these men and He had every right to be because of their hard hearts and their refusal to love. When we allow our selfishness to rule our lives instead of God’s love and grace our heart becomes hard. God wants us to be moldable and flexible so that He can fill us with His Holy Spirit. So then, we have a chose to make, is it self’s way with a life of being critical, blaming, complaining, struggling and disappointment or is it Christ’s way with a life full of love, grace, abundance, joy and peace? You reap what you sow, you get out of it what you put into it and if you believe you shall receive. Christ is the only way.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Friday, December 2, 2011
Mark 2:22-28
A Discussion about the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields,
his disciples began breaking off heads of wheat.
24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "They shouldn't be doing that!
It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."
25 But Jesus replied, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what
King David did when he and his companions were hungry?
26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest),
ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then gave some to his companions.
That was breaking the law, too."
27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made to benefit people,
and not people to benefit the Sabbath.
28 And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!" (NLT)
The sad thing here is that the Pharisees just didn’t get it. All they could see is the rules that governed their lives and that was more important than following God. They got so bad that they even called plucking a head of wheat work or worse against the law. But Jesus as always tries to show them that they have missed the whole point of the Sabbath. “The Sabbath was made to benefit people.” The Sabbath was to be a day of rest from all their work and a day to focus on the God that has supplied all their needs. Not a day of rules and regulations to demoralize people but a day to relax and enjoy their creator. The Pharisees forgot who was in charge of the Sabbath and that was God. And sense Jesus was God that made Him master of the Sabbath. God gave us work to do to keep us busy and to enjoy, He gave us a day to rest and relax and a day to spend with Him. Therefore take that day and relax with your Father and enjoy Him all day.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
A Discussion about the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields,
his disciples began breaking off heads of wheat.
24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "They shouldn't be doing that!
It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."
25 But Jesus replied, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what
King David did when he and his companions were hungry?
26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest),
ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then gave some to his companions.
That was breaking the law, too."
27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made to benefit people,
and not people to benefit the Sabbath.
28 And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!" (NLT)
The sad thing here is that the Pharisees just didn’t get it. All they could see is the rules that governed their lives and that was more important than following God. They got so bad that they even called plucking a head of wheat work or worse against the law. But Jesus as always tries to show them that they have missed the whole point of the Sabbath. “The Sabbath was made to benefit people.” The Sabbath was to be a day of rest from all their work and a day to focus on the God that has supplied all their needs. Not a day of rules and regulations to demoralize people but a day to relax and enjoy their creator. The Pharisees forgot who was in charge of the Sabbath and that was God. And sense Jesus was God that made Him master of the Sabbath. God gave us work to do to keep us busy and to enjoy, He gave us a day to rest and relax and a day to spend with Him. Therefore take that day and relax with your Father and enjoy Him all day.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 2:18-22
A Discussion about Fasting
18 John's disciples and the Pharisees sometimes fasted.
One day some people came to Jesus and asked,
"Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
19 Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not.
They can't fast while they are with the groom.
20 But someday he will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth?
For the new patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth,
leaving an even bigger hole than before.
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The wine would burst the wineskins,
spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine needs new wineskins."
(NLT)
Fasting. One of the most misunderstood functions of the Bible. Should we fast, are we commanded to fast, is fasting good or bad for us, is fasting just an Old Testament thing or is it something to honor God with? Should we fast? Yes. Is fasting good for us? Yes. Is fasting just an Old Testament thing? No. Is fasting something to honor God with? Yes. This is probably the most important part of fasting, to honor God. Fasting is when we give up something for something better. We give up food (which God continually gives us) for a period of time to focus our attention on God. Notice that this is about God not giving up food. It is exchanging something we do in order for us to focus all of our attention on God. It is about building a deeper relationship with God. If you look at the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness it was more about Him communing with His Father than about the test. Yes, He was tested but He was spending time with God. The disciples did not fast because the groom (Jesus) was with them but now He is taken away to heaven and now it is time to fast. God has given up so much for us, basically, He has given 100% to us and all He asks of us is to tithe about 10% and to fast now and then. Not much is it. Where are you in your relationship with God? We should always be moving to a deeper relationship with Him and that does include fasting. Fasting is not always about food, sometimes it is giving up something in our lives to say “God you are more important to me than these things and I am giving them up to spend that time with you.”
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
A Discussion about Fasting
18 John's disciples and the Pharisees sometimes fasted.
One day some people came to Jesus and asked,
"Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
19 Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not.
They can't fast while they are with the groom.
20 But someday he will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth?
For the new patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth,
leaving an even bigger hole than before.
22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The wine would burst the wineskins,
spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine needs new wineskins."
(NLT)
Fasting. One of the most misunderstood functions of the Bible. Should we fast, are we commanded to fast, is fasting good or bad for us, is fasting just an Old Testament thing or is it something to honor God with? Should we fast? Yes. Is fasting good for us? Yes. Is fasting just an Old Testament thing? No. Is fasting something to honor God with? Yes. This is probably the most important part of fasting, to honor God. Fasting is when we give up something for something better. We give up food (which God continually gives us) for a period of time to focus our attention on God. Notice that this is about God not giving up food. It is exchanging something we do in order for us to focus all of our attention on God. It is about building a deeper relationship with God. If you look at the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness it was more about Him communing with His Father than about the test. Yes, He was tested but He was spending time with God. The disciples did not fast because the groom (Jesus) was with them but now He is taken away to heaven and now it is time to fast. God has given up so much for us, basically, He has given 100% to us and all He asks of us is to tithe about 10% and to fast now and then. Not much is it. Where are you in your relationship with God? We should always be moving to a deeper relationship with Him and that does include fasting. Fasting is not always about food, sometimes it is giving up something in our lives to say “God you are more important to me than these things and I am giving them up to spend that time with you.”
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 2:15-17
15 That night Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests,
along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners.
(There were many people of this kind among the crowds that followed Jesus.)
16 But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him
eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do.
I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (NLT)
When Jesus called Levi to follow Him what did Levi do?
The first thing he did was to invite his friends (other fellow tax collectors and note “other notorious sinners”) to a gathering so that they too could hear the message of salvation. Levi wanted other people to be able to experience Jesus the way he did. To truly know that you are forgiven and loved by the creator of this world, Jesus Christ. But there always seems to be those who just can’t help themselves but to complain. “Why does Jesus eat with such scum?” Jesus answered, “I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.” If you think that you are good enough or that you are better than everyone else or that you have already arrived and you sin no more then you have missed the boat. Jesus came to save the notorious sinners not those who think they have arrived. Jesus saved you because you were one of the notorious sinners and you needed a Savior. Thank the Lord and give Him praise that you have been saved by the grace of God and that Jesus wants you too to follow Him as Levi did.
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Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
15 That night Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests,
along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners.
(There were many people of this kind among the crowds that followed Jesus.)
16 But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him
eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do.
I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (NLT)
When Jesus called Levi to follow Him what did Levi do?
The first thing he did was to invite his friends (other fellow tax collectors and note “other notorious sinners”) to a gathering so that they too could hear the message of salvation. Levi wanted other people to be able to experience Jesus the way he did. To truly know that you are forgiven and loved by the creator of this world, Jesus Christ. But there always seems to be those who just can’t help themselves but to complain. “Why does Jesus eat with such scum?” Jesus answered, “I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.” If you think that you are good enough or that you are better than everyone else or that you have already arrived and you sin no more then you have missed the boat. Jesus came to save the notorious sinners not those who think they have arrived. Jesus saved you because you were one of the notorious sinners and you needed a Savior. Thank the Lord and give Him praise that you have been saved by the grace of God and that Jesus wants you too to follow Him as Levi did.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 2:13-14
13 Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and
taught the crowds that gathered around him.
14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus
sitting at his tax-collection booth.
"Come, be my disciple," Jesus said to him.
So Levi got up and followed him. (NLT)
Jesus was always on the move, He always had a task to complete and He was never idle for long. He was continually teaching others by word and by action the Word of God.
What were you doing when Jesus called you? Where was your life heading when Jesus called you? In the days of Jesus tax-collectors were considered the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst sinners or the greediest of the greedy. The only friends you had were other tax-collectors because nobody wanted to be your friend. If you were a tax-collector everyone hated you and the Romans just used you and despised you. Jesus wants you to remember where you were when He called you so that you can see how far He has brought you from when He said to you "Come, be my disciple." Let’s continue our journey the same way Levi did, he got up and followed Jesus.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
13 Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and
taught the crowds that gathered around him.
14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus
sitting at his tax-collection booth.
"Come, be my disciple," Jesus said to him.
So Levi got up and followed him. (NLT)
Jesus was always on the move, He always had a task to complete and He was never idle for long. He was continually teaching others by word and by action the Word of God.
What were you doing when Jesus called you? Where was your life heading when Jesus called you? In the days of Jesus tax-collectors were considered the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst sinners or the greediest of the greedy. The only friends you had were other tax-collectors because nobody wanted to be your friend. If you were a tax-collector everyone hated you and the Romans just used you and despised you. Jesus wants you to remember where you were when He called you so that you can see how far He has brought you from when He said to you "Come, be my disciple." Let’s continue our journey the same way Levi did, he got up and followed Jesus.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Mark 2:3-5
3 Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.
4 They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd,
so they dug through the clay roof above his head.
Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
"My son, your sins are forgiven."
(NLT)
Faith is one of the most important parts of the Christian walk. These four men thought nothing of themselves but only of their friend. They believed that Jesus could and would heal their friend. By faith they did whatever was necessary to bring their friend to Christ. Jesus healed this man not because of his faith but because of the faith of his four friends. This is faith! We are not to think of ourselves but of our friends who are unsaved and doing whatever is necessary to bring them to Christ.
Read Hebrews 11 – 12:4. Live by faith.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
3 Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.
4 They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd,
so they dug through the clay roof above his head.
Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
"My son, your sins are forgiven."
(NLT)
Faith is one of the most important parts of the Christian walk. These four men thought nothing of themselves but only of their friend. They believed that Jesus could and would heal their friend. By faith they did whatever was necessary to bring their friend to Christ. Jesus healed this man not because of his faith but because of the faith of his four friends. This is faith! We are not to think of ourselves but of our friends who are unsaved and doing whatever is necessary to bring them to Christ.
Read Hebrews 11 – 12:4. Live by faith.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 2:1 - 2
1 Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum,
and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town.
2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors
that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door.
And he preached the word to them.
(NLT)
How did the news that Jesus was in Capernaum spread so quickly? By word of mouth and by believers inviting non-believers. Jesus did not come to save those who were healthy but to save those who were sick, alone, ignored, unlovable (by the world’s standard) in other words - those who were cast away from the world. These same types of people are with us today and they need Jesus, they need the Savior and they need us to invite them to hear Jesus. We to were once cast out, unlovable, sick and in need of Jesus and someone invited us to Jesus. We too need a Savior and Jesus invited us to become a part of His family. The wedding day is coming and the father of the bridegroom has sent us out to invite guests to the feast. Go out to the highways and byways and invite those who are there to the wedding for it has been prepared for them to come. All you need to do is invite them to come as Jesus invited you and those who are called will come.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
1 Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum,
and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town.
2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors
that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door.
And he preached the word to them.
(NLT)
How did the news that Jesus was in Capernaum spread so quickly? By word of mouth and by believers inviting non-believers. Jesus did not come to save those who were healthy but to save those who were sick, alone, ignored, unlovable (by the world’s standard) in other words - those who were cast away from the world. These same types of people are with us today and they need Jesus, they need the Savior and they need us to invite them to hear Jesus. We to were once cast out, unlovable, sick and in need of Jesus and someone invited us to Jesus. We too need a Savior and Jesus invited us to become a part of His family. The wedding day is coming and the father of the bridegroom has sent us out to invite guests to the feast. Go out to the highways and byways and invite those who are there to the wedding for it has been prepared for them to come. All you need to do is invite them to come as Jesus invited you and those who are called will come.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Monday, November 21, 2011
Mark 1:45
45 But as the man went on his way, he spread the news,
telling everyone what had happened to him.
As a result, such crowds soon surrounded Jesus
that he couldn't enter a town anywhere publicly.
He had to stay out in the secluded places,
and people from everywhere came to him there.
(NLT)
This man told everybody he ran into about what Jesus did for him. He spread the news so much that Jesus could hardly go anywhere in public. Have you done the same? Do we not fall short of what this man did? This should not be. Jesus has provided everything for us; he healed us and forgave us our sins. Shouldn’t that be something we should be telling everyone we run into about what Jesus has done for us? Yes, we should be telling everyone. What is holding you back? Is it fear? Jesus says He casts out fear. So why should we fear, why are we taking fear back? Don’t hold back. Boldly go forward. Jesus is with you so there is nothing to fear. We have been cleansed by His blood, we have been made full therefore let us not hold back but share the message of Jesus Christ boldly.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
45 But as the man went on his way, he spread the news,
telling everyone what had happened to him.
As a result, such crowds soon surrounded Jesus
that he couldn't enter a town anywhere publicly.
He had to stay out in the secluded places,
and people from everywhere came to him there.
(NLT)
This man told everybody he ran into about what Jesus did for him. He spread the news so much that Jesus could hardly go anywhere in public. Have you done the same? Do we not fall short of what this man did? This should not be. Jesus has provided everything for us; he healed us and forgave us our sins. Shouldn’t that be something we should be telling everyone we run into about what Jesus has done for us? Yes, we should be telling everyone. What is holding you back? Is it fear? Jesus says He casts out fear. So why should we fear, why are we taking fear back? Don’t hold back. Boldly go forward. Jesus is with you so there is nothing to fear. We have been cleansed by His blood, we have been made full therefore let us not hold back but share the message of Jesus Christ boldly.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Friday, November 18, 2011
Mark 1:40 - 44
40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed.
"If you want to, you can make me well again," he said.
41 Moved with pity, Jesus touched him.
"I want to," he said. "Be healed!"
42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared — the man was healed.
43 Then Jesus sent him on his way and told him sternly,
44 "Go right over to the priest and let him examine you. Don't talk to anyone along the way.
Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing." (NLT)
Jesus is the one who holds in His hand whether to heal or not to heal. Does this mean that if He does not heal that He doesn’t care? No, it means that if He chooses not to heal you that He has a different plan for you. He wants to use you in some special way. Jesus never gives us more than we can handle. If He does not heal we are still to praise Him and bring honor and glory to His name no matter what condition we are in. If He chooses to heal you then you are to still praise, honor and to bring glory to His name.
Notice two things here, first Jesus had pity on him, this means that we serve a Savior that loves us and cares for us and knows what is best for us. Second, Jesus wanted to heal him, Jesus did according to His fathers will. Jesus wanted to heal this man because His father wanted Him to. Jesus followed God’s will.
Jesus told this man not to talk to anyone on his way to the priests and to take his offering required in the law of Moses. Jesus wanted this man to be obedient to the Word of God by following the law so everyone will have proof of his healing.
Regardless of where we are we need to be obedient to the will of God for our lives. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing do all to the glory of God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed.
"If you want to, you can make me well again," he said.
41 Moved with pity, Jesus touched him.
"I want to," he said. "Be healed!"
42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared — the man was healed.
43 Then Jesus sent him on his way and told him sternly,
44 "Go right over to the priest and let him examine you. Don't talk to anyone along the way.
Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing." (NLT)
Jesus is the one who holds in His hand whether to heal or not to heal. Does this mean that if He does not heal that He doesn’t care? No, it means that if He chooses not to heal you that He has a different plan for you. He wants to use you in some special way. Jesus never gives us more than we can handle. If He does not heal we are still to praise Him and bring honor and glory to His name no matter what condition we are in. If He chooses to heal you then you are to still praise, honor and to bring glory to His name.
Notice two things here, first Jesus had pity on him, this means that we serve a Savior that loves us and cares for us and knows what is best for us. Second, Jesus wanted to heal him, Jesus did according to His fathers will. Jesus wanted to heal this man because His father wanted Him to. Jesus followed God’s will.
Jesus told this man not to talk to anyone on his way to the priests and to take his offering required in the law of Moses. Jesus wanted this man to be obedient to the Word of God by following the law so everyone will have proof of his healing.
Regardless of where we are we need to be obedient to the will of God for our lives. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing do all to the glory of God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mark 1:36 - 39
36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him.
37 They said, "Everyone is asking for you."
38 But he replied, "We must go on to other towns as well,
and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came."
39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee,
preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people.
(NLT)
Have you gone out looking for Jesus? Sometimes it seems that He can not be found but keep looking for He is there. Sometimes Jesus wants to know we care or that He sees that we are distracted and He goes and wants for us to look for Him. He will always let you find Him because we are never out of His sight. When distractions are gone then it is time to move on and begin a new task. Jesus does not want us to be sitting around doing nothing He wants us to be preaching the gospel to others and loving them. Yes there are times that Jesus wants us to rest, even He took time to rest and then it is time to move forward. Seek you first the kingdom of God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him.
37 They said, "Everyone is asking for you."
38 But he replied, "We must go on to other towns as well,
and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came."
39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee,
preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people.
(NLT)
Have you gone out looking for Jesus? Sometimes it seems that He can not be found but keep looking for He is there. Sometimes Jesus wants to know we care or that He sees that we are distracted and He goes and wants for us to look for Him. He will always let you find Him because we are never out of His sight. When distractions are gone then it is time to move on and begin a new task. Jesus does not want us to be sitting around doing nothing He wants us to be preaching the gospel to others and loving them. Yes there are times that Jesus wants us to rest, even He took time to rest and then it is time to move forward. Seek you first the kingdom of God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Mark 1:35
35 The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.
(NLT)
Jesus went out alone to pray. Jesus sent a lot of time in prayer and in prayer alone. It was extremely important to Him to spend time with His father and so it is with us as well. We need to go and find a quiet place were we can spend time alone with our father. Satan wants us to be so busy in life that we can not spend the needed time with Jesus. We may think that it is up to the pastor but it is up to each one of us. God is to take first place and top priority in our daily life. Not only are we to be in prayer alone, but also with our churches, our spouses, our children and our friends. God is moved by prayer, faith and obedience. We must believe by faith that God is going to answer our prayers through our obedience to Him according to His will. Prayer needs to be the first thing you do in the morning, during your day and before you go to sleep at night. But that’s a lot of prayer. Just as your relationship with your spouse takes time to know him/her so it is the same with God. God wants that relationship with you and He deserves that relationship with you. Start today and make it your daily habit to spend the time God wants you to spend with Him. Do whatever it takes to spend the time with the one who loves you so much that His Son died for that relationship.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
35 The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.
(NLT)
Jesus went out alone to pray. Jesus sent a lot of time in prayer and in prayer alone. It was extremely important to Him to spend time with His father and so it is with us as well. We need to go and find a quiet place were we can spend time alone with our father. Satan wants us to be so busy in life that we can not spend the needed time with Jesus. We may think that it is up to the pastor but it is up to each one of us. God is to take first place and top priority in our daily life. Not only are we to be in prayer alone, but also with our churches, our spouses, our children and our friends. God is moved by prayer, faith and obedience. We must believe by faith that God is going to answer our prayers through our obedience to Him according to His will. Prayer needs to be the first thing you do in the morning, during your day and before you go to sleep at night. But that’s a lot of prayer. Just as your relationship with your spouse takes time to know him/her so it is the same with God. God wants that relationship with you and He deserves that relationship with you. Start today and make it your daily habit to spend the time God wants you to spend with Him. Do whatever it takes to spend the time with the one who loves you so much that His Son died for that relationship.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Mark 1:32 - 34
32 That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus.
33 And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch.
34 So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases,
and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims.
But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak.
(NLT)
The people in this verse came to hear Jesus’ words, to see Him perform and to watch Him heal sick people in great numbers. There are many types of sickness. Scripture does not tell us of every kind but Jesus healed all of them, those who were a little sick and those who were terminal. Jesus was in complete control of His surroundings to the point that the demons obeyed His every word.
Do you run to see and hear Jesus? Do you go to hear and obey the word of Jesus? Are you just there to see the show or just to show off? Is Jesus your all in all? It is so easy for us to answer yes without ever looking deep inside ourselves for the true answer. Jesus looked at people from the inside out. We tend to be shallow and only look to the outside appearance. Jesus healed because He saw their greatest need and that was a savior. Time sometimes makes us forget where we came from, that as a sinner full of sin and filth we were in need of a savior. Jesus says to go and do the same as Him. We are to take Jesus to the lost, the sinful, the filthy and let Jesus use us to reach out to them. Jesus requires a broken and contrite heart not a heart full of self. Pick up your cross, the cross that you should have died on and follow Jesus because your cross is light compared to the one Jesus carried and died on for you. He asks so little of us yet we take great advantage of Him. This should not be so. Begin first by this “ Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (NLT). All means All!
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
32 That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus.
33 And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch.
34 So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases,
and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims.
But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak.
(NLT)
The people in this verse came to hear Jesus’ words, to see Him perform and to watch Him heal sick people in great numbers. There are many types of sickness. Scripture does not tell us of every kind but Jesus healed all of them, those who were a little sick and those who were terminal. Jesus was in complete control of His surroundings to the point that the demons obeyed His every word.
Do you run to see and hear Jesus? Do you go to hear and obey the word of Jesus? Are you just there to see the show or just to show off? Is Jesus your all in all? It is so easy for us to answer yes without ever looking deep inside ourselves for the true answer. Jesus looked at people from the inside out. We tend to be shallow and only look to the outside appearance. Jesus healed because He saw their greatest need and that was a savior. Time sometimes makes us forget where we came from, that as a sinner full of sin and filth we were in need of a savior. Jesus says to go and do the same as Him. We are to take Jesus to the lost, the sinful, the filthy and let Jesus use us to reach out to them. Jesus requires a broken and contrite heart not a heart full of self. Pick up your cross, the cross that you should have died on and follow Jesus because your cross is light compared to the one Jesus carried and died on for you. He asks so little of us yet we take great advantage of Him. This should not be so. Begin first by this “ Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (NLT). All means All!
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Monday, November 14, 2011
Mark 1:29 - 31
29 After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue,
they went over to Simon and Andrew's home,
and James and John were with them.
30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.
They told Jesus about her right away.
31 He went to her bedside, and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up,
the fever suddenly left, and she got up and prepared a meal for them.
(NLT)
Jesus never hesitates to do anything right and to glorify God the Father. Even when He delayed going to see Lazarus His purpose was to glorify God. We can also see that Simon (Peter) and most likely his wife told Jesus about his mother-in-law being sick with a high fever. Even though we hear sermons on how rough and tough Peter was and how often he would stick his foot in his mouth he cared for people. He cared enough not to hesitate and by faith to tell Jesus about how sick his mother-in-law was. Jesus always reacts to those who have faith. Faith moves Jesus to action. Jesus loves to see His children live by faith in Him. And because of their faith He healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Obviously Peter cared a great deal for his mother-in-law, loved his wife and was willing by faith to ask Jesus to heal her. We are not to hesitate to ask Jesus anything, we are to ask in faith and we are to believe by faith that we will receive our request. If we do not ask in faith or we ask with little faith then we will receive little to nothing. We are to live by faith. Without faith you can do nothing. Without Christ you can do nothing. Therefore you must put your faith in Christ in order to accomplish His will. Live by faith in the only one you can put your faith and trust into, Jesus Christ.
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29 After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue,
they went over to Simon and Andrew's home,
and James and John were with them.
30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.
They told Jesus about her right away.
31 He went to her bedside, and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up,
the fever suddenly left, and she got up and prepared a meal for them.
(NLT)
Jesus never hesitates to do anything right and to glorify God the Father. Even when He delayed going to see Lazarus His purpose was to glorify God. We can also see that Simon (Peter) and most likely his wife told Jesus about his mother-in-law being sick with a high fever. Even though we hear sermons on how rough and tough Peter was and how often he would stick his foot in his mouth he cared for people. He cared enough not to hesitate and by faith to tell Jesus about how sick his mother-in-law was. Jesus always reacts to those who have faith. Faith moves Jesus to action. Jesus loves to see His children live by faith in Him. And because of their faith He healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Obviously Peter cared a great deal for his mother-in-law, loved his wife and was willing by faith to ask Jesus to heal her. We are not to hesitate to ask Jesus anything, we are to ask in faith and we are to believe by faith that we will receive our request. If we do not ask in faith or we ask with little faith then we will receive little to nothing. We are to live by faith. Without faith you can do nothing. Without Christ you can do nothing. Therefore you must put your faith in Christ in order to accomplish His will. Live by faith in the only one you can put your faith and trust into, Jesus Christ.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 1:25 - 28
25 Jesus cut him short. "Be silent! Come out of the man."
26 At that, the evil spirit screamed and threw the man into a convulsion,
but then he left him.
27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened.
"What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority!
Even evil spirits obey his orders!"
28 The news of what he had done spread quickly through that entire area of Galilee.
(NLT)
Even the evil spirits obey His orders! Jesus is the authority! Then why is it that we know Jesus but yet we do not immediately obey His orders? Peter, Andrew, James and John left their boats and followed Jesus immediately. Why do we not follow Jesus immediately? Have we become so self-absorbed that we have fallen deaf to the voice of Christ? He has given us everything but we still drag our feet and refuse to move. We refuse to participate in the things Christ has for us that will build us stronger for the Lord. We choose selfish pleasures rather than choosing Christ. We choose selfish pleasure that destroys our life for Christ. Christ has so much for us, are we willing to give it up for self? Jesus said to deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow Him. What part do we not understand? You must put Christ first if you are ever going to have a real and fulfilling life. A life lived for Christ is better than any life that you can imagine for yourself. When we don’t live for Christ then Satan has us right where he wants us, doing nothing. But that is not the life Christ has for you. The life Christ has for you is the abundant life, a life of joy, peace, mercy and grace through the difficulties of this life. But when we do nothing life is hard, frustrating, cruel and lonely. Christ does not want us to be alone that is why He gave us many brothers and sisters to join Him in helping you to live for Him. We are not meant to do this life alone we are meant to do this life together because together we are stronger. Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Christ through the abundant life.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
25 Jesus cut him short. "Be silent! Come out of the man."
26 At that, the evil spirit screamed and threw the man into a convulsion,
but then he left him.
27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened.
"What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority!
Even evil spirits obey his orders!"
28 The news of what he had done spread quickly through that entire area of Galilee.
(NLT)
Even the evil spirits obey His orders! Jesus is the authority! Then why is it that we know Jesus but yet we do not immediately obey His orders? Peter, Andrew, James and John left their boats and followed Jesus immediately. Why do we not follow Jesus immediately? Have we become so self-absorbed that we have fallen deaf to the voice of Christ? He has given us everything but we still drag our feet and refuse to move. We refuse to participate in the things Christ has for us that will build us stronger for the Lord. We choose selfish pleasures rather than choosing Christ. We choose selfish pleasure that destroys our life for Christ. Christ has so much for us, are we willing to give it up for self? Jesus said to deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow Him. What part do we not understand? You must put Christ first if you are ever going to have a real and fulfilling life. A life lived for Christ is better than any life that you can imagine for yourself. When we don’t live for Christ then Satan has us right where he wants us, doing nothing. But that is not the life Christ has for you. The life Christ has for you is the abundant life, a life of joy, peace, mercy and grace through the difficulties of this life. But when we do nothing life is hard, frustrating, cruel and lonely. Christ does not want us to be alone that is why He gave us many brothers and sisters to join Him in helping you to live for Him. We are not meant to do this life alone we are meant to do this life together because together we are stronger. Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Christ through the abundant life.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Mark 1:23-24
23 A man possessed by an evil spirit was in the synagogue,
24 and he began shouting, "Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are
— the Holy One sent from God!"
(NLT)
We can take encouragement from the fact the even the demons know Jesus and are afraid of Him. The Jesus we follow is all powerful and He has adopted us into His family. We are under His household and His inheritance and His power. We truly have nothing to fear for Christ is for us; He has redeemed us and has covered our debt. For when you receive Jesus as your Savior He places His mark upon you as His. So even the demons know that we belong to Jesus and are afraid of us because we are the possession of Christ – the Holy one sent from God! Shout for Joy in the Lord for He is our powerful God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
23 A man possessed by an evil spirit was in the synagogue,
24 and he began shouting, "Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are
— the Holy One sent from God!"
(NLT)
We can take encouragement from the fact the even the demons know Jesus and are afraid of Him. The Jesus we follow is all powerful and He has adopted us into His family. We are under His household and His inheritance and His power. We truly have nothing to fear for Christ is for us; He has redeemed us and has covered our debt. For when you receive Jesus as your Savior He places His mark upon you as His. So even the demons know that we belong to Jesus and are afraid of us because we are the possession of Christ – the Holy one sent from God! Shout for Joy in the Lord for He is our powerful God.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Mark 1:21-22
21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum,
and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people.
22 They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority —
quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
(NLT)
Jesus taught in the synagogue every Sabbath day. This is where we need to be every week, in church, to be taught the Word by Jesus. Only Jesus has the real authority to teach us His Word. He has chosen and called pastors to go and teach His Word so that we will go out to this lost and dying world and share His message of His death, burial and resurrection. It is not for us to sit in the pews and do nothing but hear the Word. It is meant for us not only to hear the Word but to do the Word. We are to hear what we are supposed to do and then we are to go out and do it, to live it, to let it shine forth from us, to share it, to give it away and to let it live through us. We were created to be doers, not sitters, not quitters, not complainers, not whiners but doers of the Word of God. This is a privilege that has been given to us and it is a privilege to be performed for the glory and honor of our Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore be a doer of the Word.
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21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum,
and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people.
22 They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority —
quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
(NLT)
Jesus taught in the synagogue every Sabbath day. This is where we need to be every week, in church, to be taught the Word by Jesus. Only Jesus has the real authority to teach us His Word. He has chosen and called pastors to go and teach His Word so that we will go out to this lost and dying world and share His message of His death, burial and resurrection. It is not for us to sit in the pews and do nothing but hear the Word. It is meant for us not only to hear the Word but to do the Word. We are to hear what we are supposed to do and then we are to go out and do it, to live it, to let it shine forth from us, to share it, to give it away and to let it live through us. We were created to be doers, not sitters, not quitters, not complainers, not whiners but doers of the Word of God. This is a privilege that has been given to us and it is a privilege to be performed for the glory and honor of our Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore be a doer of the Word.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Mark 1:16 - 20
16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net,
for they were commercial fishermen.
17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, be my disciples,
and I will show you how to fish for people!"
18 And they left their nets at once and went with him.
19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons,
James and John, in a boat mending their nets.
20 He called them, too, and immediately they left their father,
Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him.
(NLT)
It is a great privilege to be called by Jesus to go and learn how to fish for people. You too have been called by Jesus. You too have been called to learn how to fish for people. It is a great privilege to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus never makes a mistake, He called you, He wants you to go, and He wants you to share your story of salvation and His story of providing that salvation for you. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, “Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe.”(NLT) So you see it does not matter how good your speech is or that you think you can not talk well because it does not matter. Why? Because God says that He will give you the words to speak so you don’t have to worry about how or what to say. God will use you to glorify Himself through your obedience. Yield to the Lord as Peter, Andrew, James and John did and learn to be a fisher of men. They immediately left what they knew and followed Jesus therefore go and do the same.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net,
for they were commercial fishermen.
17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, be my disciples,
and I will show you how to fish for people!"
18 And they left their nets at once and went with him.
19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons,
James and John, in a boat mending their nets.
20 He called them, too, and immediately they left their father,
Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him.
(NLT)
It is a great privilege to be called by Jesus to go and learn how to fish for people. You too have been called by Jesus. You too have been called to learn how to fish for people. It is a great privilege to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus never makes a mistake, He called you, He wants you to go, and He wants you to share your story of salvation and His story of providing that salvation for you. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, “Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe.”(NLT) So you see it does not matter how good your speech is or that you think you can not talk well because it does not matter. Why? Because God says that He will give you the words to speak so you don’t have to worry about how or what to say. God will use you to glorify Himself through your obedience. Yield to the Lord as Peter, Andrew, James and John did and learn to be a fisher of men. They immediately left what they knew and followed Jesus therefore go and do the same.
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Friday, November 4, 2011
Mark 1:14-15
14 Later on, after John was arrested by Herod Antipas,
Jesus went to Galilee to preach God's Good News.
15 "At last the time has come!" he announced.
"The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!"
NLT
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying,
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
KJV
14 And after John had been taken into custody,
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
15 and saying,
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
NASB
When Jesus made this statement “The time is fulfilled” He was referring to that everything that had been preached and taught to the children of Israel was now complete. For Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. The kingdom of God is a lot closer than we think therefore we need to repent of our sins, to turn away from our sins and turn to Jesus Christ and believe the gospel. This is our message to the lost. Be ready in season and out of season to share the gospel with whoever God sends your way. It is each of our responsibility to share the good news of the gospel. 1 Corinthian 15:1-4 says,
1 Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. 2 And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it — unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me — that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said.
NLT
Praise the Lord that we serve a risen and living Savior.
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|
Mark 1:9-11
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee,
and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
10 And when Jesus came up out of the water,
he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him.
11 And a voice came from heaven saying,
"You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you."
(NLT)
Jesus was the beloved Son of God the Father. God was fully pleased with all that Jesus had done up to this point and what He was going to do. Do you know what it means to be a “beloved son”? Some of us had fathers who saw us as a beloved son, some of us had fathers who were there physically but not mentally, some of us had fathers who were abusive and some of us had no father at all. But God is your true and real Father. He created you but sin separated that relationship. But God through Jesus Christ has made a way that you can now have that relationship. God did not damage the relationship, we damaged it. Through Christ God now sees you as His beloved son too. He wants to father you, to take you on a journey and an adventure and to mold you into the man He has always wanted you to be from before the foundation of the world. If you did not have an earthly father who was there to father you then seek the Lord with all your heart for He wants to pick up the broken pieces and father you, to teach you, to guide you, to show you how to love as He loves. God is ready to go, are you? God is not like your earthly father He is totally and completely different, better. Seek Him, trust Him, let Him guide you and enjoy Him for He cares deeply for you. Let go and let Him father you.
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|
Mark 1:5-8
5 People from Jerusalem and from all over Judea traveled out into the
wilderness to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins,
he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6 His clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt;
his food was locusts and wild honey.
7 He announced: "Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am —
so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
(NLT)
People came from all over to hear John the Baptist, to hear his message of repentance and the coming Messiah. Confessing of sin is not a one time act and you never need to do it again. We need to examine ourselves daily, maybe every hourly, maybe even minute by minute (for some of us, well most of us). We have sinned against the Lord and we need to confess our sin to Him. Not a general confession but the specific sin(s) and we committed. Our goal is to sin less and less but confession is only a part, we also need to repent. Repenting is turning 180 degrees from that sin and to move toward what God wants us to be doing. God wants our obedience not lip service. When Jesus began His ministry His message was “The time is fulfilled, the kingdomof God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
As the people came and heard the word of John and confessed their sins they were baptized in accordance with their confession. In other words they showed through baptism an outward sign of an inward change. They did not do this privately but publicly and openly. We do not need to keep being baptized ever time we confess our sins but baptism is our starting point in making us recognize that we in front of God said “I turn from my sins and I turn to you in obedience.”
John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am — so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.” Even we are not worthy to be Christ’s slave. But Christ sees us as worth dying for, worth baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and marking us His possession. We should be in daily praise to Jesus as loving us so much, being willing to put up with us, caring for us, disciplining us for our own good and blessing us so greatly. Take some time and praise Jesus, thank Jesus and worship Jesus for wanting you so much.
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Mark 1:1-4
1 Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2 In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said,
"Look, I am sending my messenger before you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
'Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!
Make a straight road for him!' "
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and was
preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned
from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
(NLT)
The Gospel, the Good News is all about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. All of Scripture leads to one place, one person and that is Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament is leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ the Messiah. The four gospels tell us of Jesus’ life and ministry, Acts through Jude tell us of the transforming life in Christ and Revelation is the coming back of Jesus. Jesus is the rightful King. He paid the price. It is all about Jesus. From the beginning to the time of His return and after is all about Jesus.
John the Baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness of the coming of the Messiah. He was to prepare the people by baptism for repentance of their sins. Through baptism we show an outward sign of an inward change. Have you let Jesus change you from the inside out? Are you letting Jesus have His way or are you still fighting for your rights? In Christ you have no rights. Does this statement stun you? You had no rights when you were in your sins. Sin controlled your life. You were a slave to sin. In Christ we have the freedom to do God’s will. We have the freedom to obey Christ our King. In sin you have no freedom, you are a slave and you could not service the one who created you. God’s love is so great that that He sent Jesus to die so that you could be set free to return to Him and to live for Him. Therefore where is your voice? Should not our voice be one crying out to the lost that the Lord Jesus is coming back and time is running out? Yes! Each one of us has a voice and it is Jesus who has chosen each one of us to speak out to the lost that He loves them and is coming back soon. Be like John -- obedient to Christ to be that voice shouting out that the Messiah has come, died, rose from the died and is coming back again.
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Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have,
for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,
but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his
coming back again is drawing near.
(NLT)
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Galatians 6:15-18
15 It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not.
What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.
16 May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle.
They are the new people of God.
17 From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things.
For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(NLT)
We are no longer under the law but have been set free to live in Christ. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. When we receive Christ we are to become totally different people from what we were before. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (NLT) May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God. Have you let Christ change you? Evaluate your life and see where you are at in your walk with Christ. If you are off track get back on coarse because you are a new person in Christ and your life is to be lived for Him. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
15 It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not.
What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.
16 May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle.
They are the new people of God.
17 From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things.
For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(NLT)
We are no longer under the law but have been set free to live in Christ. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. When we receive Christ we are to become totally different people from what we were before. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (NLT) May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God. Have you let Christ change you? Evaluate your life and see where you are at in your walk with Christ. If you are off track get back on coarse because you are a new person in Christ and your life is to be lived for Him. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Galatians 6:14
14 As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything
except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago,
and the world's interest in me is also long dead.
(NLT)
We should not boast about anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to boast about ourselves or our abilities because all of it came from the Lord Jesus Christ. The longer you live in Christ the less you should care about the things of this world. The world has never cared about you and it never will. Only Jesus cares about you because He said “I will never leave you or forsake you.” That is a guarantee! Rejoice in the Lord for He cares for you.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
14 As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything
except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago,
and the world's interest in me is also long dead.
(NLT)
We should not boast about anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to boast about ourselves or our abilities because all of it came from the Lord Jesus Christ. The longer you live in Christ the less you should care about the things of this world. The world has never cared about you and it never will. Only Jesus cares about you because He said “I will never leave you or forsake you.” That is a guarantee! Rejoice in the Lord for He cares for you.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Galatians 6:11-13
11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason.
They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.
13 And even those who advocate circumcision don't really keep the whole law.
They only want you to be circumcised so they can brag about it and claim you as their disciples.
(NLT)
There are many people and many religions that proclaim many things and many ways to be saved or that everyone is saved and all go to heaven. But there is only one way to heaven, there is only one way to God and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ alone. Even Jesus Himself said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” and "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it." (NLT) And those who proclaim this one way will be persecuted for it. The world wants to resist this view because people in general want to take the easy way out. There is no easy way out. The road to Christ and the road we follow with Christ is hard but the blessings that come along the way and at the end of this life is worth every step. For what the world offers is temporary but Christ is everlasting and eternal. This life is not to done alone; this life in Christ is with Christ therefore we are never alone. This life in Christ is not to be lived without others but is to be done in a community of other believers in Christ. We are stronger together not apart. Do not give the enemy a foot hold. The enemy comes to scatter us to defeat us alone but together in Christ the enemy cannot defeat us. In Christ together we stand with Christ our Solid Rock.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason.
They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.
13 And even those who advocate circumcision don't really keep the whole law.
They only want you to be circumcised so they can brag about it and claim you as their disciples.
(NLT)
There are many people and many religions that proclaim many things and many ways to be saved or that everyone is saved and all go to heaven. But there is only one way to heaven, there is only one way to God and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ alone. Even Jesus Himself said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” and "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it." (NLT) And those who proclaim this one way will be persecuted for it. The world wants to resist this view because people in general want to take the easy way out. There is no easy way out. The road to Christ and the road we follow with Christ is hard but the blessings that come along the way and at the end of this life is worth every step. For what the world offers is temporary but Christ is everlasting and eternal. This life is not to done alone; this life in Christ is with Christ therefore we are never alone. This life in Christ is not to be lived without others but is to be done in a community of other believers in Christ. We are stronger together not apart. Do not give the enemy a foot hold. The enemy comes to scatter us to defeat us alone but together in Christ the enemy cannot defeat us. In Christ together we stand with Christ our Solid Rock.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Monday, October 24, 2011
Galatians 6:7-10
We Reap What We Sow
7 Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it.
You will always reap what you sow!
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.
But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up,
for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
(NLT)
God’s word is always true! “You reap what you sow,” “You get out of it what you put into it,” “Give and it shall be given to you” and “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” If you live to satisfy the flesh, to satisfy your own sinful desires and the pleasures of the flesh you will reap decay, sickness, heartache, loneliness, sorrow and death. But if you live for the Spirit you will reap everlasting life and a harvest of blessings at the appropriate time (God’s time). Don’t be misled -- God’s ways are always better than the flesh or the world. Don’t give up, don’t be discouraged and don’t let yourself get tired from doing good. Even if you don’t see the results of your hard work just wait on the Lord and in His time you will see the hand of God at work and the results of what He was having you do. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
We Reap What We Sow
7 Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it.
You will always reap what you sow!
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.
But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up,
for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
(NLT)
God’s word is always true! “You reap what you sow,” “You get out of it what you put into it,” “Give and it shall be given to you” and “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” If you live to satisfy the flesh, to satisfy your own sinful desires and the pleasures of the flesh you will reap decay, sickness, heartache, loneliness, sorrow and death. But if you live for the Spirit you will reap everlasting life and a harvest of blessings at the appropriate time (God’s time). Don’t be misled -- God’s ways are always better than the flesh or the world. Don’t give up, don’t be discouraged and don’t let yourself get tired from doing good. Even if you don’t see the results of your hard work just wait on the Lord and in His time you will see the hand of God at work and the results of what He was having you do. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Friday, October 21, 2011
Galatians 6:4-6
We Reap What We Sow
4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of
having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
6 Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.
(NLT)
Work hard, do your best with the work that God gives you to do then praise Him for what He has given you to do. When you know that you have done well for the Lord then you will have satisfaction of having done your work well. Do not compare yourself with others but focus on what God wants you to do for you are responsible for your own conduct not what others thinks your conduct should be. You work for the Lord not for others therefore do your best for the Lord.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
We Reap What We Sow
4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of
having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
6 Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.
(NLT)
Work hard, do your best with the work that God gives you to do then praise Him for what He has given you to do. When you know that you have done well for the Lord then you will have satisfaction of having done your work well. Do not compare yourself with others but focus on what God wants you to do for you are responsible for your own conduct not what others thinks your conduct should be. You work for the Lord not for others therefore do your best for the Lord.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Galatians 6:1-3
We Reap What We Sow
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin,
you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.
And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need,
you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
(NLT)
When you find that a brother or sister in Christ has been overcome by some sin, then there are three things that you need to be aware of before you try to help them out. One, you need to know that you are a mature Christ follower. Two, you are to guide and direct them gently back toward Christ. And third, you need to do this in a state of humility so that you will not fall into the same temptation yourself. If you do not fit all three categories then find someone who does and partner with them to learn and grow in Christ. If you think that you are too good or too important to help someone in need then you have become a fool and if you do not change your fall is not far off. We came into this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing, so while we are here we should not think of ourselves as better than anyone else because we are not. Only Christ is something and we are to follow Him and reflect Him in our life. Selfishness never saved anyone. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and live your life for Christ.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
We Reap What We Sow
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin,
you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.
And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need,
you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
(NLT)
When you find that a brother or sister in Christ has been overcome by some sin, then there are three things that you need to be aware of before you try to help them out. One, you need to know that you are a mature Christ follower. Two, you are to guide and direct them gently back toward Christ. And third, you need to do this in a state of humility so that you will not fall into the same temptation yourself. If you do not fit all three categories then find someone who does and partner with them to learn and grow in Christ. If you think that you are too good or too important to help someone in need then you have become a fool and if you do not change your fall is not far off. We came into this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing, so while we are here we should not think of ourselves as better than anyone else because we are not. Only Christ is something and we are to follow Him and reflect Him in our life. Selfishness never saved anyone. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and live your life for Christ.
Sponsored by Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead Men into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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