Jesus and His Power in Ministry
February 20th, 2025
Mark 3:22-2722 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart....
Jesus and the Kingdom of God
February 13th, 2025
Mark 3:20-22 (NLT) 20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he get...
Jesus Meets a Variety of Responses
February 6th, 2025
A DISRUPTOR is an individual who significantly alters how an industry or system operates.Mark's Mentions of Jesus in PrayerOutside Capernaum (1:35-39)Outside Bethsaida (6:45-47)In the Garden of Gethsemane (14:32-42)Out of all the conflicts in life, we SUCCEED when we SURRENDER to Jesus.Conflict and the Confessionary Structure of MarkFive incidents in Galilee (2:1-3:6)Five incidents in Jerusalem (1...
Jesus Steps Forward
January 30th, 2025
The Gospel of Mark:is not a biography of Jesus’ lifeis not a detailed map of eventsis not in chronological orderis a purpose-driven narrativeMark 1:1aThis is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.Mark opens his gospel with a personal declaration of faith.Mark’s declaration of faith is a declaration of victory.Mark’s declaration of faith is a proclamation of identity.The Son of God ...
Pray Together
January 23rd, 2025
Acts 2:42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.Acts 2:46aThey worshiped together at the Temple each day....Temple Prayer ScheduleMorning: 9:00 (Abraham)Noon (Isaac)Evening: 3:00 (Jacob)Acts 3:1Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer serv...
Worship Together
January 16th, 2025
Acts 2:42-4742 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions ...
Belong Together
January 9th, 2025
Acts 1:8"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Acts 2:41-4241 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and ...
We Learn Together
January 2nd, 2025
Acts 1:1-81 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to th...
18 Miles Between Asked and Answered Prayer
December 24th, 2024
A Parent’s Dilemma  John 4:43–46  43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. 45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there. 46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was ...
Anna's Song
December 23rd, 2024
Luke 2::36-3936 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talki...
Simeon's Song
December 19th, 2024
Luke 2:29-3029 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,as you have promised.30 I have seen your salvation,The arrival of Jesus is the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise.Luke 2:30-3230 I have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared for all people.32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,and he is the glory of your people Israel!”What does it mean for Jesus to be God’s salv...
The Angel's Song
December 12th, 2024
Our appropriate response to the birth of Jesus is a lifestyle of wonder and worship.Luke 1:3-43 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.Luke 2:8-128 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their f...
Zechariah's Song
December 5th, 2024
Luke 1:67Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:The praises of a PRIEST.Luke 1:68-7068 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,   because he has visited and redeemed his people.69 He has sent us a mighty Savior   from the royal line of his servant David,70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.The preaching of a PROPHET.Luke 1:71-7571 Now we...
Mary's Song
November 26th, 2024
Luke 1:46-50 (NLT)Mary responded,“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.    How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.For the Mighty One is holy,   and he has done great things for me.He shows mercy from generation to generation   to all who fear him.Lord and ServantSavior and SavedSee-er and SeenDoer an...
Thanks but No Thanks
November 21st, 2024
Luke 17:11-1911 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed...
Thanks from the Heart
November 14th, 2024
Colossians 3:12-1712 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony...
Thanks for Your Goodness
November 7th, 2024
As a divine attribute, goodness first describes God's essential character. It means that God is not evil. James 1:13 tells us that nothing about evil is in any way tempting to God. Anything that proceeds from God, therefore, is good and for our good.Psalm 107:1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever.James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to u...
Thanks for Everything
October 31st, 2024
Waiting on God's _________________ is ACTIVE  not PASSIVE.Psalm 40:1-31 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me,   and he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,   out of the mud and the mire.He set my feet on solid ground   and steadied me as I walked along.3 He has given me a new song to sing,   a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see what he has done and be ...
The Bitter Brother
October 24th, 2024
Luke 15:1-21 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!The Grace of God is offensive. Luke 15:25-2725 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and h...
The Faithful Father
October 17th, 2024
The Grace of God is ___________________.Luke 15:1212 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.There is a time for excessive __________________ to be patiently endured.2 Peter 3:9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He do...