Then Jesus said to them, `People do not bring a light and put it under a basket or under a bed. But they put it on the place for a lamp.
22Everything that is hidden will be seen. Everything that is secret will be known and come out to be seen.
23Everyone who has ears to hear, listen!'
24And Jesus said, `Take care how you listen. How much you give to others is how much will be given to you. You who obey God will get more than you give.
25Anyone who has some will get more. But he who does not have anything, even the little that he has will be taken away from him.'
26And Jesus said, `The kingdom of God is like this. A man sows some seed in the ground.
27Then he goes on just as he did before. He sleeps at night and wakes up in the morning. The seed begins to grow but he doesn't know what makes it grow.
28The ground itself makes the seed grow. First the plant comes up. Then it begins to have seed of its own. After a while the harvest is ready.
29When the harvest is really ready, he cuts it right away because the harvest time has come.'
30And Jesus said, `What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I say it is like?
31It is like this. A mustard seed is the smallest seed that is ever planted in the earth.
32But the plant that grows from that seed is bigger than any other plant. It puts out very big branches. The birds come and live in its branches.'
33Jesus told the people many stories like this. He told them as much of God's words as they were able to understand.
34He did not tell them anything without a story. When he was alone with his disciples, he told them the meaning of the stories.
35In the evening of that day, Jesus said to his disciples, `Let us cross over to the other side of the sea.'
36The disciples left the people and took Jesus away in the boat he was in. Other little boats were with him.
37A very strong wind began to blow. Water came in the boat. It began to fill up with water.
38Jesus was in the back end of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up. `Master,' they shouted. `We will die! Do you not care?'
39Then Jesus got up. He said to the wind and the sea, `Stop!' The wind stopped. Then all was quiet.
40Then he said to the disciples, `Why do you fear? Do you not believe in God?'
41The disciples were surprised. They said to each other, `What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him.'
Thursday 29 October 2009
Monday 26 October 2009
Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper [2] came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus [3] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, [4] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel [5] have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, [4] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel [5] have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Sunday 25 October 2009
Jesus said, “My peace I give you,”
For families with young children, peace is the absence of chaos. When a relative or friend offers to take the little ones out for a few hours, mom and dad enjoy the peace of an empty house.
For families with rebellious teens, peace is the absence of discord. A meal together, without sulking or rudeness, is dining in peace.
For quarreling families or couples, peace is the absence of arguments, even though resentments may fester under the surface. There is peace on the surface of things.
For families with more serious problems, substance abuse or domestic violence, peace may be rare, but it is the absence of intoxication or abuse.
Yet whatever peace that exists at the moment contains within it the anxiety about future incidents and the trauma from those occurring in the past.
Some people may have great peace in their lives even when they are undergoing tremendous hardships. And others, though their lives are blessed and rich and relatively free of suffering, struggle to find a moment’s peace.
Upon reflection, we realize that peace is much more than simply an absence. For nations, peace is not the absence of war. Tyranny suppresses violence but most certainly does not bring peace.
Peace, when it is defined as an absence of chaos, discord or trauma, becomes temporal and conditional. Therefore, upon reflection, we see that peace is not, in its true form, an absence.
In the way that love is not an absence of hate, peace is so much more than the absence of difficulties.
True peace, like love, is more than an emotion or a temporal condition. It’s God grace.
When Jesus said, “My peace I give you,” he was not offering us a quiet Sunday afternoon. When in our liturgy, we say “Peace be with you” we are not wishing our neighbor a quarrel-free and chaos-free life.
When we refer to Jesus as the prince of peace, we are not suggesting that He is a grand referee who settles our differences. We are not suggesting that He is only to be found in quiet tabernacles or solemn, solitary prayer. In the midst of all life’s chaos, suffering, and difficulty, Jesus is the one from whom peace emanates and through whom peace among all people can be established.
Peace is God’s gift to us. Through the Incarnation, Jesus restores our relationships with God and with one another.
The peace Jesus brings manifests itself in justice, compassion, truth, and freedom. Jesus’ peace can be experienced in the most traumatic or violent circumstances, because it is not dependent upon external or temporal conditions. It is a condition of the heart.
As His followers, we are called to be, like Jesus, agents of peace.
When we manifest the love of Christ, and, like him, seek truth, charity, justice and freedom for all God’s people, we come to bring His peace to our homes, communities, and countries.
And, by cooperating in God’s work, we help to create a peaceful world
For families with rebellious teens, peace is the absence of discord. A meal together, without sulking or rudeness, is dining in peace.
For quarreling families or couples, peace is the absence of arguments, even though resentments may fester under the surface. There is peace on the surface of things.
For families with more serious problems, substance abuse or domestic violence, peace may be rare, but it is the absence of intoxication or abuse.
Yet whatever peace that exists at the moment contains within it the anxiety about future incidents and the trauma from those occurring in the past.
Some people may have great peace in their lives even when they are undergoing tremendous hardships. And others, though their lives are blessed and rich and relatively free of suffering, struggle to find a moment’s peace.
Upon reflection, we realize that peace is much more than simply an absence. For nations, peace is not the absence of war. Tyranny suppresses violence but most certainly does not bring peace.
Peace, when it is defined as an absence of chaos, discord or trauma, becomes temporal and conditional. Therefore, upon reflection, we see that peace is not, in its true form, an absence.
In the way that love is not an absence of hate, peace is so much more than the absence of difficulties.
True peace, like love, is more than an emotion or a temporal condition. It’s God grace.
When Jesus said, “My peace I give you,” he was not offering us a quiet Sunday afternoon. When in our liturgy, we say “Peace be with you” we are not wishing our neighbor a quarrel-free and chaos-free life.
When we refer to Jesus as the prince of peace, we are not suggesting that He is a grand referee who settles our differences. We are not suggesting that He is only to be found in quiet tabernacles or solemn, solitary prayer. In the midst of all life’s chaos, suffering, and difficulty, Jesus is the one from whom peace emanates and through whom peace among all people can be established.
Peace is God’s gift to us. Through the Incarnation, Jesus restores our relationships with God and with one another.
The peace Jesus brings manifests itself in justice, compassion, truth, and freedom. Jesus’ peace can be experienced in the most traumatic or violent circumstances, because it is not dependent upon external or temporal conditions. It is a condition of the heart.
As His followers, we are called to be, like Jesus, agents of peace.
When we manifest the love of Christ, and, like him, seek truth, charity, justice and freedom for all God’s people, we come to bring His peace to our homes, communities, and countries.
And, by cooperating in God’s work, we help to create a peaceful world
Saturday 24 October 2009
Jesus Changes Us
In Acts 8:14-25 we see Jesus changing three individuals as they make the right choices to believe, repent and follow Him. And if Jesus changed these people, He will change whoever decides to follow Him.
Peter was a fisherman who decided to follow Jesus. At the cross of Christ, Peter denied knowing Jesus although he had followed Him for three years. Jesus didn’t give up on Peter though. After the resurrection, Jesus went looking for Peter, not to condemn him or judge him, but to renew and restore him. After the ascension of Jesus, Peter stayed in Jerusalem to wait for what Jesus had promised – the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was used to deliver a basic message (Acts 2) and three thousand people decided to become Christ followers that day. But Peter still has some prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated so He is one of the Apostles that goes to Samaria to see if it could really be true that Samaritans and not just Jews could become Christ followers. As He sees that it is true, the racial prejudices that have gripped his heart begin to loosen and His heart becomes more like that of Jesus, the One he follows.
The apostle John joins the apostle Peter on this trip to Samaria. John like Peter, had prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated. It was John who had wanted to call fire from heaven to destroy a village in Samaria when they had rejected Jesus during Jesus’ ministry on earth (Luke 9:51-56). Of course, Jesus rebuked John’s actions teaching John an important lesson at that time and directing his steps to Samaria this time to further purge the prejudices of John’s heart.
It was not by chance or accident that these two men were chosen as the delegation of the apostles to test the authenticity of the new non-Jewish Christ followers. They were following Jesus once again to Samaria. He was directing their every step and was going to bring more change to their heart and way of thinking that would impact their behavior.
Simon was a Samaritan entertainer who had just decided to follow Jesus. He had much to learn and it would require the rebuke of a fellow Christ follower to straighten his walk with Christ. Simon witnessed the effect produced by the laying on of hands, practiced by the apostles Peter and John, and offered them money in order to acquire the same power. Ever since that day, the attempt to turn the spiritual into the commercial has been given the term “simony”. Peter gave Simon a stern rebuke for his actions (Acts 8:23-24) and Simon’s motives were checked. He learned a lot about humility and repentance that day.
As Peter and John witnessed the authenticity of non-Jewish people who had become Christ followers, prejudices were broken down in their heart and their way of thinking toward others changed impacting their behavior toward others. On their journey from Jerusalem to Samaria, they did not bother communicating with those in the villages of Samaria. As they left Samaria to return to Jerusalem, they preached the gospel to the villages of the Samaritans (Acts 8:25). Jesus had brought more change to them. They now were looking at people through the eyes of Jesus instead of the eyes of the prejudices that they had learned all their life.
Jesus changes us. He changes our way of thinking towards others. He changes our behavior towards others. He changes us to be more like Him as we continually deny self and follow Him. The best is always yet to come as we follow Jesus on our journey from earth to glory.
Peter was a fisherman who decided to follow Jesus. At the cross of Christ, Peter denied knowing Jesus although he had followed Him for three years. Jesus didn’t give up on Peter though. After the resurrection, Jesus went looking for Peter, not to condemn him or judge him, but to renew and restore him. After the ascension of Jesus, Peter stayed in Jerusalem to wait for what Jesus had promised – the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was used to deliver a basic message (Acts 2) and three thousand people decided to become Christ followers that day. But Peter still has some prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated so He is one of the Apostles that goes to Samaria to see if it could really be true that Samaritans and not just Jews could become Christ followers. As He sees that it is true, the racial prejudices that have gripped his heart begin to loosen and His heart becomes more like that of Jesus, the One he follows.
The apostle John joins the apostle Peter on this trip to Samaria. John like Peter, had prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated. It was John who had wanted to call fire from heaven to destroy a village in Samaria when they had rejected Jesus during Jesus’ ministry on earth (Luke 9:51-56). Of course, Jesus rebuked John’s actions teaching John an important lesson at that time and directing his steps to Samaria this time to further purge the prejudices of John’s heart.
It was not by chance or accident that these two men were chosen as the delegation of the apostles to test the authenticity of the new non-Jewish Christ followers. They were following Jesus once again to Samaria. He was directing their every step and was going to bring more change to their heart and way of thinking that would impact their behavior.
Simon was a Samaritan entertainer who had just decided to follow Jesus. He had much to learn and it would require the rebuke of a fellow Christ follower to straighten his walk with Christ. Simon witnessed the effect produced by the laying on of hands, practiced by the apostles Peter and John, and offered them money in order to acquire the same power. Ever since that day, the attempt to turn the spiritual into the commercial has been given the term “simony”. Peter gave Simon a stern rebuke for his actions (Acts 8:23-24) and Simon’s motives were checked. He learned a lot about humility and repentance that day.
As Peter and John witnessed the authenticity of non-Jewish people who had become Christ followers, prejudices were broken down in their heart and their way of thinking toward others changed impacting their behavior toward others. On their journey from Jerusalem to Samaria, they did not bother communicating with those in the villages of Samaria. As they left Samaria to return to Jerusalem, they preached the gospel to the villages of the Samaritans (Acts 8:25). Jesus had brought more change to them. They now were looking at people through the eyes of Jesus instead of the eyes of the prejudices that they had learned all their life.
Jesus changes us. He changes our way of thinking towards others. He changes our behavior towards others. He changes us to be more like Him as we continually deny self and follow Him. The best is always yet to come as we follow Jesus on our journey from earth to glory.
Friday 23 October 2009
Jesus said, "In my father's house are many mansions, and I go to prepare a place for you.
God will do for you is to care of you. God will take care of you in salvation. We respond and God takes care of the rest. God takes care of us in eternity. For the Christian there is no worry about eternity. Jesus said, "In my father's house are many mansions.....I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
God also takes care of us in life, in the here and now. If you will let Him, He will take care of you in time of trouble. When tragedy comes, when you lose a loved one through death, when life gets hard, God will take care of you. He may not change the circumstances you are in, but He will keep them from defeating and destroying you. He will give you the power to live within them and He will be with you every step of the way. God will take care of you! He will enter into your mind and into your life, and if you will let Him, He will give you knowledge and power to live your life successfully.
God also takes care of us in life, in the here and now. If you will let Him, He will take care of you in time of trouble. When tragedy comes, when you lose a loved one through death, when life gets hard, God will take care of you. He may not change the circumstances you are in, but He will keep them from defeating and destroying you. He will give you the power to live within them and He will be with you every step of the way. God will take care of you! He will enter into your mind and into your life, and if you will let Him, He will give you knowledge and power to live your life successfully.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Jesus said, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life
God will love you. This has been true since the words, "...in the beginning God...," in the first chapter of Geneses, the very first words in the Bible. In the story of the beginning, God created all of creation and capped it off with the creation of man, the only part of His creation that He created to love and to have fellowship with Him. Man is the only creature with the ability to love God and respond to the love of God.
Throughout the centuries and the millennia God has demonstrated His love for man. The Old Testament is the story of the deliverance of his people through the flood, coming out of Egypt, and through the Babylonian exile, God delivered His people. He sent the patriarchs, the judges, and the prophets to tell man of His love, until the fullness of time when Jesus came; the very embodiment of His love. Now the same God that loved throughout history loves you today. When life fluctuates to the low extreme, remember that God loves you! When moments of hurt and insecurity come, remember that God loves you! When no one seems to care about you, remember that God loves you! When friends and family let you down, remember that God's son is the friend that "...sticketh closer than a brother." Remember that Jesus said about Himself, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for His friends." When you are disappointed, frustrated, and when you face tragedy, death, and defeat, when you cry out from the depths, and you have cried until your tears have dried up, REMEMBER that God loves you and you are not alone.
God loves you in all circumstances. On the walls of a mental institution an unknown patient scrawled the following words:
"Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky."
It so touched the heart of F.H. Leyman, the author of the preceding verses of that song, that it became the last verse of the song, "The Love of God." God had penetrated the depths of a disturbed mind and heart.
But above all when you need a Savior remember that Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life"
Throughout the centuries and the millennia God has demonstrated His love for man. The Old Testament is the story of the deliverance of his people through the flood, coming out of Egypt, and through the Babylonian exile, God delivered His people. He sent the patriarchs, the judges, and the prophets to tell man of His love, until the fullness of time when Jesus came; the very embodiment of His love. Now the same God that loved throughout history loves you today. When life fluctuates to the low extreme, remember that God loves you! When moments of hurt and insecurity come, remember that God loves you! When no one seems to care about you, remember that God loves you! When friends and family let you down, remember that God's son is the friend that "...sticketh closer than a brother." Remember that Jesus said about Himself, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for His friends." When you are disappointed, frustrated, and when you face tragedy, death, and defeat, when you cry out from the depths, and you have cried until your tears have dried up, REMEMBER that God loves you and you are not alone.
God loves you in all circumstances. On the walls of a mental institution an unknown patient scrawled the following words:
"Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky."
It so touched the heart of F.H. Leyman, the author of the preceding verses of that song, that it became the last verse of the song, "The Love of God." God had penetrated the depths of a disturbed mind and heart.
But above all when you need a Savior remember that Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life"
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Jesus ask, What are you looking for?
Jesus asks each one of us: “What are you looking for?”
In talking about the recent Synod of Bishops which reflected on the Scriptures, Pope Benedict said that the word of God was given to humanity to “enlighten our path in the earthly pilgrimage toward the full realization of the kingdom of God.”
What are you looking for?
Let’s have Scripture give us food for thought — let’s allow Scripture to “enlighten our path” while we look. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for comfort?
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt. 11:28–30)
Are you looking for feeling you’re not alone?
Jesus said: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20)
Are you looking for a sense of worth?
Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?” (Mt. 6:25-26)
Are you looking to face something difficult in your life?
The psalmist wrote about God: “Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.” (Ps. 23:4)
Are you looking to know what God’s plan is for you?
St. Paul reminds us: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, (it is) what God has prepared for those who love him.” (I Cor. 2:9)
Are you looking for seeing things more clearly?
St. Paul tells us “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)
Jesus asks: “What are you looking for?”
In talking about the recent Synod of Bishops which reflected on the Scriptures, Pope Benedict said that the word of God was given to humanity to “enlighten our path in the earthly pilgrimage toward the full realization of the kingdom of God.”
What are you looking for?
Let’s have Scripture give us food for thought — let’s allow Scripture to “enlighten our path” while we look. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for comfort?
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt. 11:28–30)
Are you looking for feeling you’re not alone?
Jesus said: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20)
Are you looking for a sense of worth?
Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?” (Mt. 6:25-26)
Are you looking to face something difficult in your life?
The psalmist wrote about God: “Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.” (Ps. 23:4)
Are you looking to know what God’s plan is for you?
St. Paul reminds us: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, (it is) what God has prepared for those who love him.” (I Cor. 2:9)
Are you looking for seeing things more clearly?
St. Paul tells us “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)
Jesus asks: “What are you looking for?”
Monday 19 October 2009
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
The Request of James and John
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Request of James and John
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Sunday 18 October 2009
Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Saturday 17 October 2009
Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’d”
20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’d”
20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Friday 16 October 2009
Some Pharisees ask jesus, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
1Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3“What did Moses command you?” he replied.
4They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’a 7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,b 8and the two will become one flesh.’c So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3“What did Moses command you?” he replied.
4They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’a 7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,b 8and the two will become one flesh.’c So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
Thursday 15 October 2009
jesus told us to don't worry about tomorrow
"So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries."
As we ponder these words of Jesus, we must recognize that worry and planning ahead are different things. Jesus said that it is unreasonable not to do some essential planning. (Luke 14:28-31) Still, most of us have battled worry at some point in our lives. We go to bed with that nagging concern about what will happen "tomorrow." (Clearly Jesus is referring to worrying about what will happen in the future and not just literally tomorrow.) It may be a conflict that troubles us. It may be a mess at the office that must be confronted. It may be facing someone who has hurt us or that we have hurt. It may be that financial doubt about paying bills and having to face the note holders. Jesus wants us to let go of our anxiety. We must live in the present moment. There are too many opportunities we could miss today by worrying about what might happen tomorrow. The Lord could come between now and tomorrow and all our worry would have been silliness. The Lord may be at work in the situation during today, in ways we could not foresee, and our problems are not as insurmountable as they seem today. Or, even if the bad thing were to happen, our worry will have needlessly stolen the joy out of today. Let's make sure we fill up today with God's Kingdom priorities and then we can deal with tomorrow’s mess when, and if, it ever comes.
Prayer:
Almighty and sustaining God, I believe tomorrow is in your hands, so I will rest myself in your grace today as I seek to live for you. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities you provide today so that I can serve you and do your Kingdom work with focus, courage, and clarity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
As we ponder these words of Jesus, we must recognize that worry and planning ahead are different things. Jesus said that it is unreasonable not to do some essential planning. (Luke 14:28-31) Still, most of us have battled worry at some point in our lives. We go to bed with that nagging concern about what will happen "tomorrow." (Clearly Jesus is referring to worrying about what will happen in the future and not just literally tomorrow.) It may be a conflict that troubles us. It may be a mess at the office that must be confronted. It may be facing someone who has hurt us or that we have hurt. It may be that financial doubt about paying bills and having to face the note holders. Jesus wants us to let go of our anxiety. We must live in the present moment. There are too many opportunities we could miss today by worrying about what might happen tomorrow. The Lord could come between now and tomorrow and all our worry would have been silliness. The Lord may be at work in the situation during today, in ways we could not foresee, and our problems are not as insurmountable as they seem today. Or, even if the bad thing were to happen, our worry will have needlessly stolen the joy out of today. Let's make sure we fill up today with God's Kingdom priorities and then we can deal with tomorrow’s mess when, and if, it ever comes.
Prayer:
Almighty and sustaining God, I believe tomorrow is in your hands, so I will rest myself in your grace today as I seek to live for you. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities you provide today so that I can serve you and do your Kingdom work with focus, courage, and clarity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
jesus said Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, [8] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Jesus said, I tell you the truth before Abraham was born, I AM
1. Must people believe Jesus to be the LORD God to be save?
Notice above in Romans 10:9-13 that the salvation spoken of is contingent for one thing upon acknowledging Jesus as the LORD God. For in speaking of Lord Paul makes reference to the book of Joel which associates LORD with "the LORD your God". Muslims who accept a "Jesus" as a prophet but not as the LORD God, and "Christians" who accept Jesus as a Lord but not as the LORD God don't meet the qualification for salvation that Paul speaks of. So also Jesus said, "If you do not believe that I am he (or "I AM") you will indeed die in your sins." Was Jesus simply speaking of him being the Messiah or the Son of God or the LORD God, or was it not already understood these were all the same? In speaking of "I am he" the greek is ego eimi, which is simply "I AM". This is the term God called himself in Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth before Abraham was born, I AM!" John 8:58 And for this reason the Jews tried to kill him. Why did they try to stone him to death? "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."John 10:33 And so also he says, "These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again."Rev 2:8 But he also says in Isaiah, "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."Isaiah 44:6
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ... He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ... the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1
2. Is an attitude of obedience to Christ as LORD necessary for one's faith to be qualified as saving faith?
When Jesus said, "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 What was he saying about the term "lord"? He was saying that it implies that by calling him lord people were expressing their intention of submitting to him. So also notice this correlation between calling someone "lord" and an attitude of submission. "in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord." 1Peter 3:5,6 Calling Jesus Lord is expression one's intention to obey what he says.
Is obedience optional? Can a person verbally or mentally acknowledge Christ as the LORD God, but not go on to obey and yet reckon themselves saved? No! Not according to the Bible. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ... faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that— and shudder. James 2:14-19 It's application oriented faith which qualifies as saving faith. The Jews would say "The LORD our God, the LORD is one". James points out that simply acknowledging that is pointless unless you treat God as LORD in your life by doing what He said. So also it's one thing to say Jesus is LORD, but quite another to treat him as LORD.
Now also there are those who misinterpret the sense in which Paul writes when he speaks of calling on the name of the LORD or acknowledging Jesus as LORD as mere ritual. He is not speaking of an outward ritual. He is speaking of an outward response to an inner faith; a response which should include not only words but actions as well. Thus for example the LORD instituted water baptism as one outward sign of obedience to one's realized faith. So also the whole Christian life is to be lived in submission to Christ as the LORD. "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15
3. Should Jesus be worshipped as God?
Jesus is to be Worshipped
When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."Heb 1:6
Jesus acknowledged that only "the LORD your God" should be worshipped, and yet he allowed people to worship him. Therefore logically what was he saying about himself? That he was the LORD God and thus was to be worshipped. To unbelievers it is idolatry. But to us it is appropriate as he is our Creator, our Savior, and our LORD God.
Notice above in Romans 10:9-13 that the salvation spoken of is contingent for one thing upon acknowledging Jesus as the LORD God. For in speaking of Lord Paul makes reference to the book of Joel which associates LORD with "the LORD your God". Muslims who accept a "Jesus" as a prophet but not as the LORD God, and "Christians" who accept Jesus as a Lord but not as the LORD God don't meet the qualification for salvation that Paul speaks of. So also Jesus said, "If you do not believe that I am he (or "I AM") you will indeed die in your sins." Was Jesus simply speaking of him being the Messiah or the Son of God or the LORD God, or was it not already understood these were all the same? In speaking of "I am he" the greek is ego eimi, which is simply "I AM". This is the term God called himself in Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth before Abraham was born, I AM!" John 8:58 And for this reason the Jews tried to kill him. Why did they try to stone him to death? "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."John 10:33 And so also he says, "These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again."Rev 2:8 But he also says in Isaiah, "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."Isaiah 44:6
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ... He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ... the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1
2. Is an attitude of obedience to Christ as LORD necessary for one's faith to be qualified as saving faith?
When Jesus said, "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 What was he saying about the term "lord"? He was saying that it implies that by calling him lord people were expressing their intention of submitting to him. So also notice this correlation between calling someone "lord" and an attitude of submission. "in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord." 1Peter 3:5,6 Calling Jesus Lord is expression one's intention to obey what he says.
Is obedience optional? Can a person verbally or mentally acknowledge Christ as the LORD God, but not go on to obey and yet reckon themselves saved? No! Not according to the Bible. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ... faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that— and shudder. James 2:14-19 It's application oriented faith which qualifies as saving faith. The Jews would say "The LORD our God, the LORD is one". James points out that simply acknowledging that is pointless unless you treat God as LORD in your life by doing what He said. So also it's one thing to say Jesus is LORD, but quite another to treat him as LORD.
Now also there are those who misinterpret the sense in which Paul writes when he speaks of calling on the name of the LORD or acknowledging Jesus as LORD as mere ritual. He is not speaking of an outward ritual. He is speaking of an outward response to an inner faith; a response which should include not only words but actions as well. Thus for example the LORD instituted water baptism as one outward sign of obedience to one's realized faith. So also the whole Christian life is to be lived in submission to Christ as the LORD. "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15
3. Should Jesus be worshipped as God?
Jesus is to be Worshipped
When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."Heb 1:6
Jesus acknowledged that only "the LORD your God" should be worshipped, and yet he allowed people to worship him. Therefore logically what was he saying about himself? That he was the LORD God and thus was to be worshipped. To unbelievers it is idolatry. But to us it is appropriate as he is our Creator, our Savior, and our LORD God.
Monday 12 October 2009
You will have peace in Jesus.
Because Jesus has paid the debt for your sin, you are now free to worship God and to get to know Him. If you want Him to, He will do the impossible in your life. The Christian life is not complicated at all when it is lived as found in the Bible which is God's holy word. If you live right you will suffer, but even that is part of your growth. You will have peace in Jesus.
Remember that you walk simultaneously in the realm of the spiritual and the temporal. You are in the presence and care of God whether you are cooking dinner or sitting in a church pew. Whether you are praying or washing your car. Being a Christian is a lifestyle that affects every area of your life. If you walk with God (do things His way), you will be blessed. Jesus said, "Whosoever loveth me keepeth my commandments." If you are a serious disciple of Jesus Christ, you will do His will. Here are some things that you must do to live victoriously in Jesus.
# Read the Bible everyday.
The Bible is God's word. This is how He talks to you. It is like no other book in the entire world--it is living. Pray before you pick it up. Some of you may not know how to pray. It is simply talking to God. Make sure you close your prayer "In Jesus Name" which Jesus told us to do.
You may not understand everything that you read the first time. The Holy Spirit will help you to understand what you need to know.
Remember that you walk simultaneously in the realm of the spiritual and the temporal. You are in the presence and care of God whether you are cooking dinner or sitting in a church pew. Whether you are praying or washing your car. Being a Christian is a lifestyle that affects every area of your life. If you walk with God (do things His way), you will be blessed. Jesus said, "Whosoever loveth me keepeth my commandments." If you are a serious disciple of Jesus Christ, you will do His will. Here are some things that you must do to live victoriously in Jesus.
# Read the Bible everyday.
The Bible is God's word. This is how He talks to you. It is like no other book in the entire world--it is living. Pray before you pick it up. Some of you may not know how to pray. It is simply talking to God. Make sure you close your prayer "In Jesus Name" which Jesus told us to do.
You may not understand everything that you read the first time. The Holy Spirit will help you to understand what you need to know.
Sunday 11 October 2009
jesus explain about Blessed
jesus Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And jesus saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [1] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
2 And jesus saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [1] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Saturday 10 October 2009
Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Friday 9 October 2009
Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Thursday 8 October 2009
when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare [9] the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, [10] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, [11] with whom I am well pleased.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare [9] the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, [10] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, [11] with whom I am well pleased.”
Wednesday 7 October 2009
When Herod the king heard Jesus was born
after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [7] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose [8] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Tuesday 6 October 2009
the birth of Jesus Christ
Now the birth of Jesus Christ [5] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [6] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Monday 5 October 2009
The Genealogy of Jesus
1A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
7Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[a] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.[b]
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
7Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[a] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.[b]
Saturday 3 October 2009
Jesus pay the penalty for our sins
God has a plan . That plan is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the spotless, sinless Son of God. He came to earth to "rescue" us from sin. You already know that wrong-doing has a penalty. Well, the penalty for our sin is death - eternal separation from God. But since God loves us so much, He Himself took ownership of that penalty. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus was crucified by people who didn't understand who He was or why He had come. Jesus willingly died on the cross in our place, fulfilling God's plan to redeem mankind - even the very people who nailed Him to the cross! Though He was perfect and sinless, He took our sins upon Himself so that we might have a restored relationship with our Creator
[1 Peter 2:24].
But the story doesn't end with Jesus' sacrificial death. The Bible says that just three days after He was crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem, God raised Him back to life! Jesus is no longer in the grave - God raised Him from the dead just as He will raise us at the close of history. There is a day coming when time shall come to an end and all people will stand before God in judgment [Revelation 20:11-12].
Here's what to pray:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and in need of Your forgiveness. I repent of my sinful lifestyle and I want to turn from it and follow You. I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sins and that You rose from the grave. I invite You to come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Your name. Amen."
[1 Peter 2:24].
But the story doesn't end with Jesus' sacrificial death. The Bible says that just three days after He was crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem, God raised Him back to life! Jesus is no longer in the grave - God raised Him from the dead just as He will raise us at the close of history. There is a day coming when time shall come to an end and all people will stand before God in judgment [Revelation 20:11-12].
Here's what to pray:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and in need of Your forgiveness. I repent of my sinful lifestyle and I want to turn from it and follow You. I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sins and that You rose from the grave. I invite You to come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Your name. Amen."
Friday 2 October 2009
Call on Jesus – An Biblical Example
Call on Jesus – An Biblical Example
“That day when evening came, he [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don't you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35-41).
When the winds came up and tossed the boat about, the disciples were afraid. They wondered if they would die! They missed the whole point -- Jesus was with them all the while. He wanted His disciples to call on Him.
Like the disciples, in the midst of these storms, we can call on Jesus to bring calm, serenity, and peace of mind.
* If you think your situation is hopeless -- call on Jesus.
* If you cannot see your way through -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel totally overwhelmed -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel you are the worst person on the earth -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel no one loves you and nobody care for you -- call on Jesus.
The disciples called on Jesus because they wanted to be reassured that He loved them. Just like us, we want to be reassured that we are important, that we matter to someone, that we make a difference, and that others care for us. When we call on Jesus, He may not remove the obstacles in our way, but He will walk through them with us.
“That day when evening came, he [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don't you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35-41).
When the winds came up and tossed the boat about, the disciples were afraid. They wondered if they would die! They missed the whole point -- Jesus was with them all the while. He wanted His disciples to call on Him.
Like the disciples, in the midst of these storms, we can call on Jesus to bring calm, serenity, and peace of mind.
* If you think your situation is hopeless -- call on Jesus.
* If you cannot see your way through -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel totally overwhelmed -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel you are the worst person on the earth -- call on Jesus.
* If you feel no one loves you and nobody care for you -- call on Jesus.
The disciples called on Jesus because they wanted to be reassured that He loved them. Just like us, we want to be reassured that we are important, that we matter to someone, that we make a difference, and that others care for us. When we call on Jesus, He may not remove the obstacles in our way, but He will walk through them with us.
Thursday 1 October 2009
When I Call on Jesus – Song from the Heart
“When I call on Jesus” is a phrase from a song that has been recorded by the popular Christian artist Nichole C Mullen. The lyrics say it all.
I’m so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I’m hiding away form the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark.
But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call
Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You’re not a lone
If you’re tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on
Call Him in the mornin’
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin’
He’ll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there
I’m so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I’m hiding away form the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark.
But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call
Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You’re not a lone
If you’re tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on
Call Him in the mornin’
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin’
He’ll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there
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