Friday, February 28, 2014
John
John 7:15
15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"
John
Jesus said:
John 6:65
no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father
John
John 6:44-46
The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me — that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End. 45 This is what the prophets meant when they wrote, 'And then they will all be personally taught by God.' Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning, comes to me to be taught personally — to see it with his own eyes, hear it with his own ears, from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father. 46 No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father — and you can see me.
John
John 6:27
Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides
John
John 6:26
26 Jesus answered, "You've come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs — and for free.
They wanted eye candy!
John
John 5:44
How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
John
John 5:23
Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father's decision to put the Son in the place of honor
John
John 5:18
The Jews were now not only out to expose him; they were out to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, putting himself on a level with God.
John
John 4:23
That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship
John
John 3:27
27 John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed — I'm talking about eternal success — without heaven's help
Success has a NEW meaning! Eternal success!
John
John 3:16-18
16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. 17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. 18 Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
John
John 3:7-8
don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above' — out of this world, so to speak. 8 You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God
John
John 3:5
5 Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation — the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life — it's not possible to enter God's kingdom
It’s not something that you can “see” or figure out! It’s like entry into the kingdom of God, God does it for you
John
John 3:5
5 Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation — the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life — it's not possible to enter God's kingdom
It’s not something that you can “see” or figure out
John
John 2:23-24
23 During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. 24 But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were.
This is VERY INTERESTING because He could see beyond their “belief”
John
John 1:16-18
16 We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
17 We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding —
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
18 No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
John
John 1:9-14
9 The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life
he brings into Light.
10 He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn't even notice.
11 He came to his own people,
but they didn't want him.
12 But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
13 These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
John
John 1:6-7
6 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God 7 to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in
John
John 1:1-5
The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
2 in readiness for God from day one.
3 Everything was created through him;
nothing — not one thing! —
came into being without him.
4 What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
5 The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn't put it out.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Luke
Luke 22:41-42
41 He pulled away from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?"
As Jesus body we have to pray this way too! It’s not our will it’s the Father’s will!
Luke
Luke 22:25-27
Jesus intervened: "Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. 26 It's not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.
27 "Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You'd rather eat and be served, right? But I've taken my place among you as the one who serves
Luke
Luke 20:9-17
Jesus told another story to the people: "A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time. 10 In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed. 11 He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black and blue, and sent him off empty-handed. 12 He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street.
13 "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'I know what I'll do: I'll send my beloved son. They're bound to respect my son.'
14 "But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. 'This is our chance — this is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all to ourselves.' 15 They killed him and threw him over the fence.
"What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? 16 Right. He'll come and clean house. Then he'll assign the care of the vineyard to others."
Those who were listening said, "Oh, no! He'd never do that!"
17 But Jesus didn't back down
Luke
Luke 19:12-27
12 "There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. 13 But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, 'Operate with this until I return.'
14 "But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: 'We don't want this man to rule us.'
15 "When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.
16 "The first said, 'Master, I doubled your money.'
17 "He said, 'Good servant! Great work! Because you've been trustworthy in this small job, I'm making you governor of ten towns.'
18 "The second said, 'Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.'
19 "He said, 'I'm putting you in charge of five towns.'
20 "The next servant said, 'Master, here's your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. 21 To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don't suffer fools gladly.'
22 "He said, 'You're right that I don't suffer fools gladly — and you've acted the fool! 23 Why didn't you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?'
24 "Then he said to those standing there, 'Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.'
25 "They said, 'But Master, he already has double . . .'
26 "He said, 'That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.
27 "'As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don't want to see their faces around here again.'"
Luke
Luke 19:2-10
2 There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. 3 He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way — he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
5 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home."
6 Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. 7 Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"
8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor — and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages."
9 Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! 10 For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."
It doesn’t say that Zacchaeus was perfect-it says that he was lost
Luke
Luke 18:26-27
“who has any chance at all?" the others asked.
27 "No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
Luke
Luke 18:23
23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go
Luke
Luke 18:17
17 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in
Luke
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: 10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. 11 The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people — robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. 12 I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.'
13 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"
14 Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Luke
Luke 17:26-27
The time of the Son of Man will be just like the time of Noah — 27 everyone carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ship. They suspected nothing until the flood hit and swept everything away.
Luke
Luke 17:10
When you've done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, 'The work is done. What I was told to do, I did
Luke
Luke 16:19-31
"There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. 20 A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. 21 All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores.
22 "Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.'
25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. 26 Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.'
27 "The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father 28 where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.'
29 "Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.'
30 "'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.'
31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"
Luke
Luke 16:1-9
Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. 2 So he called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about you? You're fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.'
3 "The manager said to himself, 'What am I going to do? I've lost my job as manager. I'm not strong enough for a laboring job, and I'm too proud to beg. . . . 4 Ah, I've got a plan. Here's what I'll do . . . then when I'm turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.'
5 "Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6 "He replied, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.'
"The manager said, 'Here, take your bill, sit down here — quick now — write fifty.'
7 "To the next he said, 'And you, what do you owe?'
"He answered, 'A hundred sacks of wheat.'
"He said, 'Take your bill, write in eighty.'
8 "Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. 9 I want you to be smart in the same way — but for what is right — using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
Luke
Luke 15:4-32
4 "Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? 5 When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, 6 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' 7 Count on it — there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
8 The Story of the Lost Coin
"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' 10 Count on it — that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
11 The Story of the Lost Son
Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'
"So the father divided the property between them. 13 It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. 14 After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. 15 He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. 16 He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
17 "That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. 18 I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; 19 I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' 20 He got right up and went home to his father.
"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
22 "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! 24 My son is here — given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. 25 "All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. 27 He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast — barbecued beef! — because he has him home safe and sound.'
28 "The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. 29 The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? 30 Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'
31 "His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours — 32 but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"
Luke
Luke 15:4-7
Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? 5 When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, 6 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' 7 Count on it — there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
Luke
Luke 14:33
Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple
Luke
Luke 14:25-27
Jesus turned and told them, 26 "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters — yes, even one's own self! — can't be my disciple. 27 Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple
Luke
Luke 14:16-24
16 Jesus followed up. "there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. 17 When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, 'Come on in; the food's on the table.'
18 "Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, 'I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.'
19 "Another said, 'I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.'
20 "And yet another said, 'I just got married and need to get home to my wife.'
21 "The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.'
22 "The servant reported back, 'Master, I did what you commanded — and there's still room.'
23 "The master said, 'Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! 24 Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.'"
Luke
Luke 13:23-25
23 A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, 24 "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. 25 Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
Luke
Luke 13:11-16
11 There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn't even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over. "Woman, you're free!" 13 He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.
14 The meeting-place president, furious because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the congregation, "Six days have been defined as work days. Come on one of the six if you want to be healed, but not on the seventh, the Sabbath."
15 But Jesus shot back, "You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. 16 So why isn't it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?"
Luke
Luke 13:6-9
A man had an apple tree planted in his front yard. He came to it expecting to find apples, but there weren't any. 7 He said to his gardener, 'What's going on here? For three years now I've come to this tree expecting apples and not one apple have I found. Chop it down! Why waste good ground with it any longer?'
8 "The gardener said, 'Let's give it another year. I'll dig around it and fertilize, 9 and maybe it will produce next year; if it doesn't, then chop it down.'
You still have time…
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
success?
The most limited thing about Earthly success is that even though lasts and often defines an Earthly lifetime it is in fact very limited as compared to Heavenly success which lasts forever!
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 12:49-51
I've come to start a fire on this earth — how I wish it were blazing right now! 50 I've come to change everything, turn everything rightside up — how I long for it to be finished! 51 Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I've come to disrupt and confront!
Luke
Luke 12:29-34
What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. 30 People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 31 Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 32 Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
33 "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. 34 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Luke
Luke 12:22-23
Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. 23 There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body
Luke
Luke 12:16-22
The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. 17 He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' 18 Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, 19 and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
20 "Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods — who gets it?'
21 "That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
22 Steep Yourself in God-Reality
Luke
Luke 12:10
If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked
Christianity is not an exam!
Luke
Luke 12:10
If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked
Luke
Luke 12:8
Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God's angels
Luke
Luke 11:27-28
some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: "Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"
28 Jesus commented, "Even more blessed are those who hear God's Word and guard it with their lives!"
Luke
Luke 11:24-26
When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn't find anyone, it says, 'I'll go back to my old haunt.' 25 On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. 26 It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he'd never gotten cleaned up in the first place
This scripture from God is teaching you that you can’t be “vacant”
Luke
Luke 10:38-42
A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. 39 She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. 40 But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."
41 The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. 42 One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it — it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."
This scripture explains “priorities”
Luke
Luke 10:29-37
"And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"
30 Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. 32 Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33 "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. 34 He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. 35 In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill — I'll pay you on my way back.'
36 "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
Luke
Luke 10:20
the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you
Luke
Luke 9:62
62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow
Luke
Luke 9:62
62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 9:23-26
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat — I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 24 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 25 What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? 26 If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels
Luke
Luke 9:4-5
5 If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Luke
Luke 8:21
21 He replied, "My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God's Word. Obedience is thicker than blood."
My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God's Word
Luke
Luke 8:11-15
The seed is the Word of God. 12 The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.
13 "The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone.
14 "And the seed that fell in the weeds — well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.
15 "But the seed in the good earth — these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.
Luke
Luke 7:36-47
One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. 37 Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume 38 and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."
40 Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41 "Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus. 44 Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. 46 You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. 47 Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
Luke
Luke 6:40
The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher
Schools WANT your money of course but do they let anyone CHOOSE their teachers?
Luke
Luke 6:31
Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!
Luke
Luke 6:20-23
You're blessed when you've lost it all.
God's kingdom is there for the finding.
21 You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry.
Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.
You're blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.
22 "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. 23 You can be glad when that happens — skip like a lamb, if you like! — for even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds
Luke
Luke 6:2
2 Some Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?"
Because to get Eternal Life we don’t worry about following man’s rules we follow more importantly God’s rules!
Luke
Luke 5:31-32
1 Jesus heard about it and spoke up, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? 32 I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders — an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."
I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders… Jesus came to invite outsiders!
Luke
Luke 5:14
Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness
Notice how it doesn’t just say cleansed?
Luke
Luke 4:38-39
Jesus left the meeting place and went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was running a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. 39 He stood over her, told the fever to leave — and it left. Before they knew it, she was up getting dinner for them.
Even though she had received gift she STILL did something!
Luke
Luke 4:13
The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity
The Devil WILL try to get to you more than one time
Luke
Luke 4:4
4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy
How did Jesus combat Satan? By quoting scripture so you should do the same thing and he won’t like it!
Luke
Luke 4:1-2
Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. 2 For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil
If the Devil didn’t miss Jesus then he won’t miss you!
Luke
Luke 3:21-22
21 After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up 22 and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."
God doing things on Earth
Luke
Luke 3:9
9 What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire
Luke
Luke 3:7-8
7 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God's judgment? 8 It's your life that must change, not your skin!
Churches don’t teach this!
Luke
Luke 2:8-12
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
It was VERY UNUSUAL for shepherds to even say that Angels of God had appeared to them
Luke
Luke 2:5-7
Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
A human would not have done this but God did
Luke
Luke 1:59-61
59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. 60 But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John."
61 "But," they said, "no one in your family is named that."
Doing what God says is not going to be normal to others
Luke
Luke 1:18-20
18 Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."
19 But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. 20 But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time — God's time."
We are not to question God!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Mark
Mark 14:51-52
51 A young man was following along. All he had on was a bedsheet. Some of the men grabbed him 52 but he got away, running off naked, leaving them holding the sheet.
The real person got away and all they were able to hold was the covering
Mark
Mark 14:35-36
35 Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: 36 "Papa, Father, you can — can't you? — get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want — what do you want?
Because we are His body on Earth we must say the same thing!
Mark
Mark 14:10-11
10 Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the cabal of high priests, determined to betray him. 11 They couldn't believe their ears, and promised to pay him well
Paying someone well is very good but it only lasts as long as this Earth does because it means nothing in Eternity
Mark
Mark 14:3-6
Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. 4 Some of the guests became furious among themselves. "That's criminal! A sheer waste! 5 This perfume could have been sold for well over a year's wages and handed out to the poor." They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.
6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone
Hmm, this reminds me of the woman who gave two cents…
Mark
Mark 14:1-2
The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way they could seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. 2 They agreed that it should not be done during Passover Week. "We don't want the crowds up in arms," they said.
“the crowd” has nothing to do with eternity!
Mark
Mark 13:26-27
the Son of Man enter in grand style, his Arrival filling the sky — no one will miss it! 27 He'll dispatch the angels; they will pull in the chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.
Mark
Mark 12:42-44
42 One poor widow came up and put in two small coins — a measly two cents. 43 Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. 44 All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford — she gave her all
Mark
Mark 12:28-31
One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?"
29 Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; 30 so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' 31 And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these.
Mark
Mark 12:24-25
24 Jesus said, "You're way off base, and here's why: One, you don't know your Bibles; two, you don't know how God works. 25 After the dead are raised up, we're past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God
Mark
Mark 12:1-12
Then Jesus started telling them stories. "A man planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, erected a watchtower, turned it over to the farmhands, and went off on a trip. 2 At the time for harvest, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect his profits.
3 "They grabbed him, beat him up, and sent him off empty-handed. 4 So he sent another servant. That one they tarred and feathered. 5 He sent another and that one they killed. And on and on, many others. Some they beat up, some they killed.
6 "Finally there was only one left: a beloved son. In a last-ditch effort, he sent him, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.'
7 "But those farmhands saw their chance. They rubbed their hands together in greed and said, 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 8 They grabbed him, killed him, and threw him over the fence.
9 "What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He'll come and clean house. Then he'll assign the care of the vineyard to others. 10 Read it for yourselves in Scripture:
That stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone!
11 This is God's work;
we rub our eyes — we can hardly believe it!"
12 They wanted to lynch him then and there but, intimidated by public opinion, held back. They knew the story was about them. They got away from there as fast as they could.
getting away might work now but it won't work in eternity!
Mark
Mark 11:22-23
22 Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, 23 and nothing will be too much for you
…really embrace it…
Mark
Mark 11:18
18 The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him.
Getting rid of Him would for fine for this Earth but not in Eternity!
Mark
Mark 11:15-17
Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. 16 He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. 17 And then he taught them, quoting this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations;
You've turned it into a hangout for thieves.
Mark
Mark 11:12-14
As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. 13 Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) 14 He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again — ever!"
If you’re not producing fruit for Jesus then this could be your fate too!
Mark
Mark 10:42-45
when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. 43 It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. 45 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served — and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage
Mark
Mark 10:29-31
29 Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land — whatever — because of me and the Message 30 will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land — but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! 31 This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."
Mark
Mark 10:26-27
26 That set the disciples back on their heels. "Then who has any chance at all?" they asked.
27 Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."
So, according to the Bible it’s not what you make of yourself but what God makes of you!
Mark
Mark 10:23
Jesus said, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who 'have it all' to enter God's kingdom?"
When you think that you 'have it all' then you have no need for God
Mark
Mark 10:22
This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
Be very careful! The “lot of things” that this man was holding on to were the things of this Earth which are temporary whereas eternal things are permanent
Mark
Mark 10:17-18
As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?"
18 Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God
Mark
Jesus said:
Mark 10:14-15
These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. 15 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in
Maybe that's why the Bible says that many are chosen but few make it
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Mark
Mark 9:17-18
17 A man out of the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn't."
Why couldn’t they help him?
Because THEY we thinking that THEY could do it but in fact only God could do it
Mark
Mark 9:9
Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you're free to talk."
Jesus has risen from the dead now so we’re free to talk!
Mark
Mark 8:34-37
Jesus said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 35 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. 36 What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? 37 What could you ever trade your soul for?
Mark
Mark 8:32-33
Peter grabbed him in protest. 33 Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
This is there to try to teach us that God works in ways that we as human beings don’t think of or can’t understand or even grasp!
Mark
Mark 8:29-30
Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
30 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone.
But, this is in the Bible so that we will tell everyone!
Mark
Mark 8:22-23
They arrived at Bethsaida. Some people brought a sightless man and begged Jesus to give him a healing touch. 23 Taking him by the hand, he led him out of the village
Mark
Mark 8:15
15 Jesus warned, "Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of Pharisees and the followers of Herod."
He was warning them because what sounded or looked good wasn’t good at all and the warning is for us too!
Mark
Mark 7:5-8
The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?" 6 Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. 7 They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, 8 Ditching God's command and taking up the latest fads."
This didn’t just happen then…
Mark
Mark 6:45
Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation.
Why didn’t anyone say: “if we leave here in the only form of transportation then how will He follow?”
Mark
Mark 6:12
They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different
We should be doing this too!
Mark
Mark 6:11
If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene
This is God talking but it is not very common among people!
Mark
Mark 6:8
Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment
These words from Jesus are intended to be for us as well!
Mark
Mark 6:3
They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling
They THOUGHT that they knew EVERYTHING!
Mark
Mark 5:40-43
he took the child's father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child's room. 41 He clasped the girl's hand and said, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, get up." 42 At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. 43 He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room
Mark
Mark 5:37
37 He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John
Jesus didn’t need for EVERYONE to see what He was going to do!
Mark
Mark 5:36
36 Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, "Don't listen to them; just trust me."
This is something that many human say—BUT this is no human-this is God!
Mark
Mark 5:21-34
After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. 22 One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, 23 beside himself as he begged, "My dear daughter is at death's door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live." 24 Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him.
25 A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years — 26 a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before — 27 had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. 28 She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." 29 The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.
30 At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"
31 His disciples said, "What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you're asking, 'Who touched me?' Dozens have touched you!"
32 But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.
34 Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague."
Even though others need Jesus too He is ALWAYS there to help you
Mark
Mark 5:18-19
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, 19 but he wouldn't let him. Jesus said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them your story — what the Master did, how he had mercy on you."
We are Jesus body so our job is the same as His was-to teach others so this is a Biblical example of what we are supposed to be doing on this Earth
Mark
Mark 5:18-19
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, 19 but he wouldn't let him. Jesus said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them your story — what the Master did, how he had mercy on you."
We are Jesus body so our job is the same as His was-to teach others
lambs will become lions
This is a saying that deals with YOUR future:
“Lions will rise and rise and rise
Until lamb become lions.”
On Earth lions will rise and rise and rise but in Eternity lambs will become lions
Mark
Mark 5:16-17
16 Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 At first they were in awe — and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back.
The reaction that you’ll get from people will not be good… People are only concerned with what happens on Earth unfortunately they aren’t concerned at all with what will happen in Eternity!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Mark
Mark 4:36-40
36 They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. 37 A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. 38 And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
39 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. 40 Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
FAITH meant believing in more than what you can see with your eyes!
Mark
Mark 4:26-29
Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man 27 who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows — he has no idea how it happens. 28 The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. 29 When the grain is fully formed, he reaps — harvest time!
Mark
Jesus said:
Mark 4:24
Listen carefully to what I am saying — and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own
Mark
Mark 4:21-23
Jesus went on: "Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a washtub or beneath the bed? Don't you put it up on a table or on the mantel? 22 We're not keeping secrets, we're telling them; we're not hiding things, we're bringing them out into the open.
23 "Are you listening to this? Really listening?
We can't be silent or hidden!
Mark
Mark 4:14-20
14 "The farmer plants the Word. 15 Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.
16 "And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. 17 But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
18 "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news 19 but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.
20 "But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."
YES! Jesus said this but do you believe it?
Mark
Mark 3:33-35
33 Jesus responded, "Who do you think are my mother and brothers?" 34 Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, "Right here, right in front of you — my mother and my brothers. 35 Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark
Mark 3:27
Do you think it's possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out
This raises the question of whether or not we’re being tied up
Mark
Mark 3:11-12
11 Evil spirits, when they recognized him, fell down and cried out, "You are the Son of God!" 12 But Jesus would have none of it. He shut them up, forbidding them to identify him in public.
Mark
Mark 3:10
everyone who had something wrong was pushing and shoving to get near and touch him
eye candy is VERY POPULAR
Mark
Mark 2:18
The disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees made a practice of fasting. Some people confronted Jesus: "Why do the followers of John and the Pharisees take on the discipline of fasting, but your followers don't?"
To Jesus this was a wedding where you wouldn’t fast!
Mark
Mark 2:17
17 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit."
Man-made Church organizations should learn from this!
Mark
Mark 2:13
a crowd came to him, and he taught them
whenever there were people to listen to it He taught
Mark
Mark 2:1-2
After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. 2 A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word
He was teaching the Word
Mark
Mark 1:40-41
40 A leper came to him, begging on his knees, "If you want to, you can cleanse me."
41 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to. Be clean."
He served him…
Mark
Mark 1:35
While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed
At night and all alone to talk to God…
Mark
Mark 1:30-311
Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. 31 He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.
YES He served her but then she served Him!
Mark
Mark 1:23-25
Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!"
25 Jesus shut him up
Nowadays people take videos or write things
Mark
Mark 1:22
not quoting like the religion scholars
hmm, this is in the Bible because this is still going on…
Mark
Mark 1:21
Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place
Jesus went to human Churches so as His body we should too!
Mark
Mark 1:16-20
16 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. 17 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 18 They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.
19 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. 20 Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.
You will have a “regular” work that is not about following God!
Mark
Mark 1:4-6
4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. 5 People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. 6 John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.
Was he socially acceptable? NO! But he was God’s choice…
Friday, February 21, 2014
8c
Matt 12:22
a poor demon-afflicted wretch, both blind and deaf, was set down before him. Jesus healed him, gave him his sight and hearing
serving others
Jesus said:
Matt 12:31
There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven
Churches don’t teach this but it’s right here in the scriptures!
Matt 12:34
It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words
Matt 12:38-39
Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. "Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?"
39 Jesus said, "You're looking for proof, but you're looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles
All they wanted was some eye candy
Matt 12:43-45
43 "When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn't find anyone, 44 it says, 'I'll go back to my old haunt.' On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. 45 It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he'd never gotten cleaned up in the first place.
"That's what this generation is like: You may think you have cleaned out the junk from your lives and gotten ready for God, but you weren't hospitable to my kingdom message, and now all the devils are moving back in."
Matt 12:50
50 Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father's will is my brother and sister and mother
The Earth is Satan’s kingdom so our blood relatives unreal to believe as it is are of Satan’s kingdom and not God’ kingdom but those who are obedient to God are our REAL family
Matt 13:19-33
19 When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn't take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person's heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.
20 "The seed cast in the gravel — this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. 21 But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
22 "The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.
23 "The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams."
24 He told another story. "God's kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. 26 When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.
27 "The farmhands came to the farmer and said, 'Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn't it? Where did these thistles come from?'
28 "He answered, 'Some enemy did this.'
"The farmhands asked, 'Should we weed out the thistles?'
29 "He said, 'No, if you weed the thistles, you'll pull up the wheat, too. 30 Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I'll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.'"
31 Another story. "God's kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. 32 It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it."
33 Another story. "God's kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread — and waits while the dough rises."
Matt 13:36-50
Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, "Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field."
37 So he explained. "The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.
40 "The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, 42 pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. 43 At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
44 "God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidently found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic — what a find! — and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
45 "Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. 46 Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
47 "Or, God's kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. 48 When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. 49 That's how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish 50 and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won't do any good."
Matt 14:21
21 About five thousand were fed
…serving others
Matt 14:22
As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people
Shouldn’t anyone have said that they couldn’t take away the only means of transportation away and leave Him there?
Matt 14:28-30
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
29 He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink
Thing WILL happen to try to make us doubt that God is there but we just have to ignore them
Matt 14:35
When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick
Eye candy
8d
Matt 15:38
38 Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal
Jesus was a servant for others
Matt 16:16-17
16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am
Matt 16:24-26
Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 26 What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Matt 17:19-20
19 When the disciples had Jesus off to themselves, they asked, "Why couldn't we throw it out?"
20 "Because you're not yet taking God seriously," said Jesus
So how do we take God seriously? When we realize AND admit that He does things and not us or our abilities
Matt 18:1-3
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?"
2 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, 3 and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in
What does this say to you about getting degrees?
Matt 18:8
You're better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire
I’m better off!
Matt 18:18
A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven
That’s Heaven on Earth if you ask me!
Matt 18:23-35
23 "The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. 24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. 25 He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26 "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28 "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29 "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 30 But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32 "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. 33 Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' 34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. 35 And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
You’re on Earth acting on His behalf!
Matt 19:22
That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go.
To me, this s very odd! This person wanted eternal life and the things of this world won’t be in eternal life! But it upset him
Matt 19:26
Every chance in the world of getting into God’s kingdom if you trust God to do it but no chance if you try to do it on your own
Matt 20:1-16
God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.
3 "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. 4 He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. 5 They went.
"He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o'clock. 6 At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?' 7 "They said, 'Because no one hired us.'
"He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
8 "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.'
9 "Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. 10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. 11 Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 12'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.'
13 "He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? 14 So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. 15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'
16 "Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."
Matt 20:26
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant
Jesus was God’s servant…
Matt 20:16
the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first
our society won’t like that!
Matt 20:26-28
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. 27 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. 28 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served — and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage
This is why Jesus came to this Earth. It’s a part of scripture but you won’t hear sermon on this!
Matt 21:13
My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves.
Another way of putting it would be:
My house is a place for you to talk to God but you use it as a place to make money
Matt 21:18-20
Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, "No more figs from this tree — ever!" The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. 20 The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, "Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?"
This is an example of what will happen to the person who bears no fruit
Matt 21:28-31
"Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.'
29 "The son answered, 'I don't want to.' Later on he thought better of it and went.
30 "The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure, glad to.' But he never went.
31 "Which of the two sons did what the father asked?"
They said, "The first."
Jesus said, Yes
Matt 21:33-43
There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. 34 When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.
35 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. 36 The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. 37 The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'
38 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 39 They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.
40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"
41 "He'll kill them — a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."
42 Jesus said, "Right — and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles
The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
43 "This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.
This is story about God creating the world, Him sending people and finally sending Jesus to the Earth, but you won’t hear sermon on this!
Matt 22:1-14
Jesus responded by telling still more stories. 2 "God's kingdom," he said, "is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn't come!
4 "He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, 'Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!'
5 "They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. 6 The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. 7 The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.
8 "Then he told his servants, 'We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren't up to it. 9 Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.' 10 The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on — every place filled.
11 "When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn't properly dressed. 12 He said to him, 'Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!' The man was speechless. 13 Then the king told his servants, 'Get him out of here — fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn't get back in.'
14 "That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited; only a few make it.'"
Matt 22:29-32
29 Jesus answered, "You're off base on two counts: You don't know your Bibles, and you don't know how God works. 30 At the resurrection we're beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. 31 And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don't you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, 32'I am — not was — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.' The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living."
Matt 23:8
You all have a single Teacher, who is God and you are all classmates.
Matt 23:11
Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant
Society won’t like that!
Matt 24:43-44
You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. 44 Be vigilant just like that
Matt 24:45
Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day
Matt 25:1-13
"God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. 2 Five were silly and five were smart. 3 The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. 4 The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. 5 The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
6 "In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'
7 "The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. 8 The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'
9 "They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'
10 "They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
11 "Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.'
12 "He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.'
13 "So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive
Matt 25:14-30
"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. 15 To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. 16 Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. 17 The second did the same. 18 But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.
19 "After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. 20 The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. 21 His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
22 "The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. 23 His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
24 "The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. 25 I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
26 "The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? 27 The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28 "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. 30 Throw him out into utter darkness.'
8b
Matt 9:14-15
A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"
15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"
Jesus was telling them that they were celebrating the marriage supper of the lamb!
Matt 9:27-30
As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" 28 When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!"
29 He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." 30 It happened. They saw
They believed that He COULD REALLY DO IT and we have to do the same thing!
Matt 9:36-38
36 When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. 37 "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! 38 On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
He was helping others
Matt 10:1
The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields
Even Jesus prayed!
Matt 10:5-10
5 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. 6 Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. 7 Tell them that the kingdom is here. 8 Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
9 "Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. 10 You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day.
Matt 10:15
15 You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry — but it's no concern of yours now.
Your only concern is that YOU are following God
Jesus told them to:
Matt 10:16
Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove
Because the Earth is Satan’s kingdom life as a follower of God will NOT be easy!
Matt 10:21-23
When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. 22 There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. 23 It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors!
A survivor has overcome something very bad, so be a survivor!
Matt 10:25
25 Be content — pleased, even — when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get
Matt 10:28
Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life — body and soul — in his hands.
Matt 10:32-33
Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. 33 If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you?
This scripture from God tells you that world opinion of God will not be good
Jesus discusses the actual reason that He came to the Earth (this is not taught in Churches!):
Matt 10:34-35
Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut — 35 make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law — cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God
Matt 11:25-26
25 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. 26 Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."
8a
Matt 7:11-12
11 As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
12 "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them
Matt 7:14
The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires total attention.
Jesus Christ gave it His total attention and you are His body!
Matt 7:21-23
What is required is serious obedience — doing what my Father wills. 22 I can see it now — at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' 23 And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
Matt 8:12
those who grew up 'in the faith' but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened
Matt 8:13
13 Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, "Go. What you believed could happen has happened."
Matt 8:14-15
14 By this time they were in front of Peter's house. On entering, Jesus found Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever was gone. No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.
Jesus was a servant and by doing so others helped Him!
Matt 8:16
16 That evening a lot of demon-afflicted people were brought to him. He relieved the inwardly tormented. He cured the bodily ill
Serving others…
Matt 8:18-20
When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. 19 As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
20 Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
This is there to teach us that it’s not going to be “perfect” for followers of God
Matt 8:25
25 They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!"
If He was really their master then why would they do down? This is there to teach us that many things that come up SEEM bad but we have to remember that Jesus is with us!
Matt 8:33-34
Scared to death, the swineherds bolted. They told everyone back in town what had happened to the madmen and the pigs. 34 Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back.
People AREN’T going to be happy about what God does
Matt 9:1-7
Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. 2 They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." 3 Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? 5 Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? 6 Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." 7 And the man did it
Matt 9:9-13
Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.
10 Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. 11 When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?"
12 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? 13 Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
7d
IF YOU READ, REALIZE AND APPLY NOTHING ELSE PLEASE READ, REALIZE AND APPLY THIS:
When God’s Son, Jesus Christ came to the Earth, He had one purpose in mind and that was to be a servant. He accomplished that purpose by being a servant both to His Father and to everyone around Him. To do that He had to give up His Earthly life and He went to Heaven.
YOU are His body so if you hope to go to Heaven with Him then you must do the same thing that He did because that’s what being His body means!
7c
Matt 2:6
6 It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people
Hmm, bringing up the rear…
Matt 2:7
7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were
Matt 2:9-10
the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. 10 They could hardly contain themselves
the scholars from the east…
Matt 2:11
11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
These people were not ordinary people-they were kings and they worshiped Him!
Matt 2:12
12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
Obedient people!
Matt 2:19-21
God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: 20 "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead."
21 Joseph obeyed
Obedience
Matt 2:22-23
Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. 23 On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Matt 3:1-2
While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. 2 His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
John was from God but he was not generally accepted! Hmm, sounds like Jesus! So if you’re not generally accepted then that’s probably a good thing!
Matt 3:7
7 When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded
Committing your life to God isn’t a popular thing to do!
Matt 3:10
10 What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
You can’t just be a believer you have to be a doer too! That’ faith ND work
Matt 3:12
He's going to clean house — make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God
Jesus didn’t just come to do simple things!
Matt 4:1
Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it
If Satan didn’t hesitate to temp the Son of God-he will not hesitate to temp you!
Matt 4:4
4 Jesus answered Satan by quoting Deuteronomy
How did Jesus battle Satan? By quoting scripture!
Matt 4:18-22
Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. 19 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 20 They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
21 A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, 22 and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.
Following God is not your regular work
Matt 4:24
People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical
People weren’t interested in Him or what He was saying they were only interested in getting something from Him for free!
Matt 5:3-12
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are — no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11 "Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer, even! — for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Matt 5:13-16
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
What school teaches this?
Matt 5:28
Those leering looks you think nobody notices — they also corrupt.
Eye candy
Matt 5:29-30
Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. 30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.
Following God is not simple OR easy but it DOES pay off
Matt 5:45
God gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty
Matt 5:48
what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
This verse should change your perspective on life!
Matt 6:1-4
Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.
2 "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure — 'playactors' I call them — treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. 3 When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. 4 Just do it — quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Matt 6:5-6
And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
Matt 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
10 Set the world right;
Do what's best —
as above, so below.
11 Keep us alive with three square meals.
12 Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
13 Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Matt 6:18
God doesn't require attention-getting devices
Matt 6:24
You can't worship God and Money both.
Matt 6:30-31
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers — most of which are never even seen — don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 31 What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving
7b
God said:
Zech 7:6
You're interested in religion, I'm interested in people
So are Churches today!
Zech 10:2
Religious experts spout rubbish.
Mal 1:5
you'll see how faithfully I've loved you and you'll want even more
Mal 1:6
6 "Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?" GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet
God said:
Mal 1:11
I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me by bringing their best to me
God said:
Mal 1:14
A curse on the person who makes a big show of doing something great for me
God said:
Mal 2:9
you don't live the way I told you to live
God said:
Mal 2:10
Aren't we all created by the same God? So why do you compare yourself with each other?
Mal 2:15
15 GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what
God said:
Mal 4:4
Remember and keep the revelation I gave through my servant Moses
Matt 1:1
1:1 The family tree of Jesus Christ, David's son, Abraham's son
These are humans but in fact Jesus was truly the Son of God who is not human! These were named so that we as humans could relate to Him on Earth
Matt 1:25
he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
7a
Typically on Earth people are more than willing to dedicate a portion of their entire lives no matter the cost to the things of this Earth to build up a good life and retirement and they call that their “future” however I am more than willing to fully dedicate my entire Earthly life to promoting the things of God so that I can spend Eternity with Him which is a REAL and complete future and I will do that on Earth no matter what it costs me
Nah 1:2-3
2 GOD is serious business. He won't be trifled with. He avenges his foes. He stands up against his enemies, fierce and raging. 3 But GOD doesn't lose his temper. He's powerful, but it's a patient power. Still, no one gets by with anything. Sooner or later, everyone pays.
Nah 1:12
GOD has something to say about all this: "Even though you're on top of the world, With all the applause and all the votes, you'll be mowed down flat
Nah 3:14
Get down to basics: Work the clay and make bricks.
What did the Israelites in Egypt do? They worked he clay and made bricks!
Nah 3:19
evil has seeped into every nook and cranny of the world. Everyone has felt it and suffered.
Hab 2:4
bloated by self-importance — full of himself but soul-empty
Hab 2:4
the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive.
People on Earth tend put their faith in things and people of this Earth but I only put my faith in God who is not of this Earth
Hab 2:5
Note well: Money deceives
Hab 3:18
18 I'm singing joyful praise to GOD. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God
Zeph 1:2-3
2 "I'm going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning." GOD's Decree. 3 "Men and women and animals, Anything and everything that causes sin — will go, especially people.
Zeph 1:11-12
The god Money is dead. 12 On Judgment Day
If money is a god (which according to scripture it is) then we had better watch out! It’s a forbidden fruit! It looks and sounds good but look what eating the forbidden fruit did in the Bible! Do you want that to happen to you?
In the Old Testament the word “salvation” applied to a person’s life on Earth but in the New Testament it applies to your destination in Eternity
Zeph 2:3
3 Seek GOD, all you quietly disciplined people who live by GOD's justice. Seek GOD's right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life.
Zeph 2:5
The Word of GOD is bad news for you
Hag 1:3-4
GOD said more and Haggai spoke it: 4 "How is it that it's the 'right time' for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, GOD's Temple, is in ruins?"
In the New Testament YOU are the Temple so in those terms: "How is it that it's the 'right time' for you to live as you do while God’s Temple-you are in ruins?"
On this Earth human beings greatly honor their kings and listen to and obey what they say to them BUT human beings do not honor God their ultimate king OR obey Him OR do what He says!
When the Temple was a physical building that needed renovation in the Old Testament God said:
Hag 2:4
Get to work
And now because of the New Testament you are the Temple so: Get to work
Hag 2:8
8'I own the silver, I own the gold.' Decree of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
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