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
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ
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.
Sponsored by BMCC Men’s Ministry
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)