Verses For The Week

 Proverbs 21:21 -- "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor."

Galatians 6:2 -- "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."

Weekend Sermon -- "Mark7:31-36"

      Thanks for once again taking the time to read the message for the week. I have been having busy weeks and days with moving and working, but things are settling down a little now. Thank you all for your prayers. 

     Today, we are getting back in the swing of things and focusing our attention on our continuing study in the Gospel of Mark. In our passage, we see something that seems strange, but I believe that there are important spiritual ideas from this passage for us to grasp. 

     Jesus healed the people wherever He went. He came into the city and a man who was deaf and unable to speak was brought to Him for healing. Jesus took the man aside, and then Jesus put His figures in the man's ears and on his tongue. Jesus spit, looked up to Heaven and cried be opened in Aramaic. The man was healed and began to praise the Lord. 

     Why did Jesus do this healing this way? I believe that Jesus placed the man away from the crowd first of all to not make a spectacle out of him. This may have had to do with Jesus' understanding of his personality and what he had gone through in life. Jesus understands us at our deepest level, and He will do that which is best for us. 

    I think that Jesus put his fingers in the man's ears and on his tongue in order to communicate to the man that He was going to heal him. He wanted to let the man know that He was going to do a miracle and free him from the physical boundary that had contained him. 

     By looking up into Heaven, Jesus was showing everyone that divine power and not some magical incantation was responsible for the man being healed. All of the praise, honor and glory belongs to the Lord. 

    I also think that there is another very important insight that we can gain from this text. It is this, we often do not always understand what Jesus is doing and how He is working. We live in this world and pray and rely on the Lord and often we don't get why the Lord is letting x,y or z happen to us. I know this is true in my life. However, we can know this, Jesus is always working things out according to His plans and purposes for us. 

    I will give you a couple of examples. I know that I have been called to be a minister of the Gospel. When I was younger, I thought that would mean me being the pastor of a church. Then, the very fundamentalist churches of my youth rejected me, and I didn't know what would happen. But, Jesus had it worked out. He led me into writing and evangelism work. He was working things out according to His will even though I didn't understand how it would all work out at the time. Looking back, I see it worked out great.

    On another front. When I was a young man, the family dog attacked me for no reason at all. The vet thinks he had a brain tumor. I liked that dog, and I was depressed about the whole thing. However, out of that terrible event which I didn't understand, the Lord led me to my forever best friend Toby. If the one hadn't have happened, neither would have the other. I don't understand what my life would have been without Toby. Now, I don't for a second believe the Lord made that dog attack. However, out of the bad, the Lord brought something great. I didn't see it or understand it, but the Lord Jesus was at work. 

    I said all that to say this, the Lord works often in ways we don't understand until later. We may not understand until we get to see Him face to face. We can know that Jesus is doing all for our good and will always do what is right. We can and should always give Him the praise and the glory just as this man who was healed in an unusual way did. Jesus knows what He is doing. Let our trust be in Him. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please pray that now that I have found a place to live, I will be able to find a newer car. I don't want anything fancy, just want something that will get me around. 

     Keep praying for peace. Ukraine and all the Middle East really need our prayers. Sudan needs our prayers for peace as does Congo. Haiti is still experiencing violence. 

    Pray for and end to Ebola and Cyclospora.

    Remember to keep praying for those in Nepal recovering from the natural disaster. Pray that they will get the aid and the help that they need. 

    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Mauritius and Taiwan. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday and we will continue in Mark. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

Psalm 119:11 -- "I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

Hebrews 2:18 -- "For because He Himself suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."

Weekend Sermon -- "A Reflection On Life"

      Thank you for taking the time to read the message this week. I hope that everyone is enjoying the week. I want to once again thank the Lord for the opportunity to post the message. 

     Today, we are going to take a break from the series we are in engaged in the the Gospel of Mark because I want to focus on some of the things that have been going on in my life and how maybe that might be an encouragement to you. 

     If you have read the blog over the course of these last 15 plus years, you know that I have had to overcome a lot of struggles. I have dealt with grief, financial troubles and health issues. Through it all, as I have always told you, Jesus has been with me to help me to make it through both the good times and the bad. I don't know how people make it without Him. 

     At one point in my life, I was down to only eight dollars to my name. I wondered if I was even going to make it. But, the Lord was with me, and I am still here today. 

     Recently, I decided to move on with my life so to speak. I have been living in the house I lived in with my parents over the years. They both passed on to be with the Lord 17 years ago. The old house had begun to be an albatross around my neck filled with black mold and an absolute disaster. I decided to sell it, and move on. Thankfully, the Lord has helped me through this. 

    Over the course of the last few days, I have been thinking about the verse in the book of Joel that tells about God restoring what the locusts have eaten. I feel like that in my life. I was at rock bottom, but I feel more encouraged now. I feel like the Lord is helping me to come back from being so down, and maybe there is a fresh start with better things out there. 

     I said all that to say this. I want you to know that no matter what difficulty you are going through, the Lord Jesus is with you. He will help you to make it through. I don't know that everything you lost at some point in your life will be restored in this life, but I know it will be ultimately. Jesus said that those who follow Him will receive a reward. All will be well for those who are in Christ. 

    Keep trusting in the Lord. We don't always understand why we are going through what we are going through, but the Lord is going before us. He knows the way and the path. Ultimately, that way is to and through Him. Let us all keep pressing on and keep looking to Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please keep praying that I will get everything done with the move done successfully. I need to get a different car soon, so pray with me about that. 

     Pray for those in Tibet and Nepal who are dealing with the flood. Pray that aid and help will get to those who need it. 

    Let us continue to pray for an end to the Ebola and cyclospora outbreaks. Pray that those who are sick will recover. 

     Continue to pray for peace. Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan all need our prayers. From what I understand, there is still a lot of violence occurring in Haiti. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Comoros and Maldives. Pray that many will come to know the Lord Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Psalm 19:1 -- "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

I Corinthians 10:31 -- "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 7:24-30"

     Thank you for taking the time to read the message. I hope all of you are doing well. I am not feeling all that well, and I would ask for your prayers. I have sold the house and have an apartment lined up, and I think all the stress of moving is weighing on me. Please pray that everything will keep going the way it needs to go according to the will and purposes of the Lord. 

     As I am sure most of you are aware, we have been going through the Gospel of Mark, and today we are going to look at what can be seen as a troubling or difficult passage. Today we deal with Jesus' encounter with the Syrophoenician woman. 

    In this text, we see that Jesus has gone to the region of Phoenicia. He is trying to get away from things for a little bit, but a woman from that area learns that He is there and comes to Him for healing for her daughter who is possessed by a demon. 

    Remarkably, Jesus tells her that it is not right to give the children's bread to the dogs. She replies that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table. Amazed at the depth of her faith, Jesus heals and delivers the woman's daughter. 

     What are we to make from this troubling passage? Why would Jesus call this woman a dog which was a derisive name for a Gentile? Why is He acting this way? Let me tell you what I think is the best way to look at this passage.

    In order to fully understand this passage, we have to look at the parallel passage found in Matthew 15:21-28. This passage sets things up a little differently. In this passage the woman is continually calling to Jesus, and He is not answering. She keeps it up, and the disciples are tired of it. They ask Jesus to send the woman away. Finally, Jesus stops and says that He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel. The woman asks for help and when she responds to Jesus as she does in Mark, Jesus amazed at her faith heals her daughter. 

    In this passage, if we combine the two to make a whole, here is what I believe is happening. Jesus came to save the world. John makes it clear that God loved the whole world that is why He sent His only begotten Son. Many in Jesus' day thought that the message of the Lord was only for one group of people. The disciples were like that, and Jesus was expressing their opinion. He waited to help the woman to see if the disciples would be moved with compassion and ask Him to help her. When they didn't, Jesus jumped in.

    Jesus tested the woman's faith in order to demonstrate to the disciples that people of all types can have faith in Him. The woman demonstrated a strong and powerful faith. 

    What does this have to teach us? First of all, this passage shows that we as the people of God are to reach out with His love to all people. Not just one group of people are to be the recipients of the love and goodness of the Lord. His love is to all people, all groups everyone and everywhere. And, we have the responsibility to share the love of the Lord with all. 

    The other thing that I want to really reiterate from this passage is the great compassion and love of the Lord Jesus. Jesus loves you and He cares about you no matter who you are or where you come from. His love is great and available to all who will come to Him. Whoever comes to Him, He will not cast them out. May His name be praised. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please continue to pray about my moving and transitioning in housing process. This is harder than I thought. 

     Keep praying for an end to the Ebola a Cyclospora outbreaks. 

    Pray for and end to war in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and around the world. 

    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Sierra Leone and Bhutan. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week and An Update

    First the update. An answer to prayer. I found a new home. Thank you. 

I Peter 5:7 -- Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." 

Matthew 6:11 -- "Give us this day our daily bread."

Update and prayer request

     I am not posting the verses or sermon this week. They will resume in September. I am busy with selling the house and moving.  Please pray I will get the apartment I have applied for. Thank you. 

The Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 7:1-23"

    Thank you for joining me for the message again this week. It is always a privilege and a pleasure to post these messages. I hope that everyone is doing OK. 

     We finally made it through Mark 6 last week, so that means we start chapter 7 this week. Our passage today is long, but it contains two core messages. 

     The religious leaders of Jesus' day were always trying to trap Him or get Him in trouble so as to discredit Him in the eyes of the people. On this occasion, they observed that Jesus' disciples did not do the ritual hand washing before they ate. They saw this as a grave violation, and they brought it to Jesus' attention. 

     Jesus used their criticism to launch a message about what was really important. He started by telling them about the importance of really following the way of the Lord verses simply following a tradition. Jesus used the example of the religious leaders saying that if something had been pledged to God they couldn't even use it to help their father or mother. Jesus said that this was a clear violation of the commandment to honor father and mother in the Ten Commandments. 

     Jesus made it clear that what goes into a person from the outside is not what spiritually defiles a person. On the contrary, what defiles a person are the actions that are manifested from a spirit that is not aligned with the Spirit of the Lord.  Jesus then finished His discourse by saying what the behaviors were that demonstrated the true defilement that comes from within. These include greed, slander and arrogance. 

     The first thing I want to point out in Jesus teaching is what He said about people following traditions instead of the clear teachings of the word. There is a lot of that that goes on today. People condemn others and make rules and regulations that don't have any basis in the Scriptures. 

     In the churches I grew up in as a boy, the tradition that was taught and enforced is that is was wrong for a man to have longer hair or a beard. There is nothing in the Bible about this. It is man made rules. Also, many churches I knew back then had a rule or tradition that the pastor had to be married. This is actually in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus and Paul. 

     What we need to do in our lives is to concentrate on putting into practice the things actually taught by the Lord. We could all do well to live according to the Golden Rule and the Great Commandment and the second commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself. If we would focus on those, the other things would all fall into place. 

     I also want to point out what Jesus was saying about what defiles a person. There aren't many places in the Gospels where Jesus outlines things that are sinful. This is one passage. Jesus says clearly, that adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly are sins. We would all do well to heed the words of Jesus and make sure that these behaviors are not a part of our lives. When Jesus speaks about things like this, we need to pay very close attention. 

     If we focus on following the exact and clear teachings of the Lord Jesus, we will not go or be led astray. Let us all follow Him and His Way until we see Him face to face. 

Prayer Requests

     I have sold my house, and things are progressing. However, I am having an issue finding a new place to stay. I get the money for the sale on Monday. Then, I am going full bore into finding a place. Please pray I will find one quickly. 

     Keep praying for an end to Ebola and Cyclospora outbreaks. Pray that the sick will recover. 

     Remember to keep praying for peace. The Middle East and Ukraine and Sudan all need our prayers. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Senegal and Suriname. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday, and for the message we will continue in Mark. May God bless you all.  

Verses For The Week

 Ecclesiastes 3:1 --"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

Galatians 6:9 -- "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

The Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 6:45-56"

     Thank you again for reading the sermon this week. I really do enjoy posting these messages, and I hope that you get something from reading them. I am particularly enjoying going through Mark as this is the first time on the blog I have gone through a Gospel chapter by chapter and verse by verse. 

     As I am sure you are aware, we are studying through Mark. Today, we are going to be finishing up chapter 6. We have been in chapter six for quite some time. 

     In our passage for today, we see the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. Jesus had just performed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The crowd had dispersed. The disciples got into some boats to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. However, Jesus did not join them. Instead, He went out into a lonely place in order to spend time in prayer. 

     During the course of their trip, the disciples ran into a big wind and they had to row against it in order to make progress on their journey. While they were rowing, Jesus was walking along the water. He was going to go right by them, but He heard the disciples cry out in fear because they thought that He was a ghost. 

     Jesus told them it was Him, and that they did not need to be afraid. He came over and got into the boat, and immediately the winds and the waves died down. The disciples were amazed. They still didn't understand who Jesus really was. 

     When they all came to the other side, the people were wanting to see Jesus. Whoever even touched His garment were healed and delivered. 

     The first lesson I believe that we have from this story is that Jesus is able to overcome the problems and storms of our lives. In this story, Jesus walked right on the stormy waters. He was able to calm the raging seas. 

     There are a lot of bad things that we go through in this life. We can face sickness, depression, loneliness and financial devastation. Jesus has the power to help us to make it through all of the things that life can throw at us. He delivers us through the storms of this life. 

     One way or another. Now, or in eternity, we will be delivered by the power of the Lord if we are in Him. Nothing can separate us from Him. Things may look bleak and dark, but He has the power to make sure that we will ultimately be with Him for all eternity. 

     While we are here on this earth, Jesus tells us to not be afraid. He is looking out for our best interests. He is helping us, leading us and showing us the way. He is guiding us in the way that is right for us until we see Him face to face in that place that He has gone to prepare for those who love Him. 

     We are in His hands. We need not fear. Jesus has the power, and His love and presence will get us through. 

     The final thing I want to point out today is that Jesus cared about everyone. The people came from all over and He ministered unto them. He loved everyone, and He loves you. He understands what you are dealing with. He is Savior, Lord and King. What is so amazing is that He wants to be with us and help us. He cares. Amen. 

    Prayer Requests. 

     Please keep praying about the house sale. Pray that everything will go right. Thank you. 

     Keep praying for peace. Ukraine is where I want us to focus our prayers this week. 

     Remember to keep praying for an end to the Ebola and cyclospora outbreaks. 

     Pray for those dealing with natural disasters. Pray that they will get the aid and the help that the need. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Oman and Burkina Faso. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses for the week on  Tuesday. May God bless you all.  

Verses For The Week

      Hebrews 9:24 -- "For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one, He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 

     Philippians 3:20 -- "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

The Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 6:30-44"

      Thank you once again for reading the message for the week. I hope you have all had a good week of serving the Lord and enjoying the good things in this life. 

     If you have been with the blog for a little while, you know that we are currently in a series of messages on the Gospel of Mark. We are right now in chapter 6. 

     Today, our focus is going to be on an event that is recorded in all four of the Gospels which is the feeding of the five thousand. It has a lot to teach us on a multitude of different levels. 

     Our text for the day tells us that Jesus was preaching to a great crowd of people. They had been listening to Him all day. They needed to get something to eat, and the disciples wanted them to disperse and get some food. However, Jesus told them to give the people something to eat. Of course, they didn't have enough, but Jesus performed a miracle whereby even a small amount of food was enough to feed 5,000 people. It was a truly profound miracle. 

     The first thing I want to point out about this parable is why it is included in all of the Gospels. It is the only miracle in all four. Why is it so important to warrant this? It is because what it is demonstrating about the person and work of Jesus. 

     In His Sermon on the Mount when Jesus reinterprets the law, He is showing that He is greater than Moses the lawgiver. In this miracle, He is doing that again but in a different way. While Moses was leading the people in the wilderness, manna came from Heaven and fed the people. But Moses is not the one who gave the bread to the people. 

    In this miracle, by His power as God come in the flesh, Jesus is the one who gives the people bread in the desert. He is greater than Moses, as He is the source of sustenance. 

    There is also something very spiritual going on with this miracle. It shows that Jesus is the Bread of Life and the one that can provide what is necessary to sustain a person's soul. He Himself is the Bread that has come down from Heaven. He is the one who gives His life, His love and His forgiveness as true spiritual food. He truly is the Way, the Truth and Life. Only Jesus can provide what is necessary for abundant life now and in the world to come. 

    Now, there are a couple of other things I would like to point out in regard to this passage. Jesus tells the disciples that they are to give people something to eat. This works on both the physical and the spiritual level. 

    As followers of Jesus, we have the obligation to help to meet the physical needs of the poor and the hurting who are in this world. We have to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We have to help people to have what they need to have the kind of life Jesus would want all people everywhere to have. That is one of our primary duties and one of the primary duties of the church working in this world. 

    We as Jesus' followers also have the duty to share His message and tell others that Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the one who can forgive them and save them from their sins. He is the one who is able to deliver us from death, hell and the grave. We are to go into all the world and preach the Gospel and teach people about who Jesus is and what He has done. 

    Let each of us receive the blessings of the Lord. Let us share with others the goodness of the Lord. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please keep praying that all will go well with the house sale and with me finding a new place. Thank you for your prayers. 

     Keep praying for peace. Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar and Sudan all need our prayers. 

     Pray for those suffering as a result of natural disasters. Pray that they will receive the aid and help they need. People in Venezuela, Japan, Spain, Canada and France all need our prayers. 

     Remember to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak and the Cyclospora outbreak in US. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Chad and Malaysia. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Luke 9:23 -- "Then He said to them all, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me."

Ephesians 5:15 -- "be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise."

The Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 6:14-29"

      I want to start the blog today with some good news. I have sold the house. I am thankful to the Lord for this. I am ready for a fresh start. It is time for me to do something else with my life. Thank you for taking the time to read the blog today.

     In our passage for today, a couple of different things are happening. We know from last week that Jesus and His disciples were preaching and teaching and bringing a ministry of healing and deliverance to the people. This caught the attention of Herod. 

     This was not the Herod of the birth narratives of Jesus. It was one of his sons. He was aligned with the Romans. He heard the message of Jesus just as the other people in the region. Many of them felt that Jesus was a great prophet or teacher. However, Herod was convinced that it was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod was responsible for his death. 

     Earlier, John had been preaching and telling Herod that it was not right for him to be married to his brother's ex wife. This made Herod's wife angry, and John was thrown into the prison. 

     One night, Herod had a great party. Herodias' daughter came and danced before Herod and his guests. Herod was so pleased that he offered to give her up to half his kingdom. The young woman consulted with her mother who despised John the Baptist. She asked for his head to be brought to her on a platter. John was executed, and his body was taken away by his disciples. 

    So, what are we to get out of this for our lives today? First of all, the reaction of the people to the message of Jesus. They viewed Him as a prophet like one from long ago, or more specifically, Elijah. They were not yet willing, or they did not yet comprehend, that Jesus was the Messiah. He was the one promised by the prophets. He had come to save His people from their sins. They were impressed with His message, but they didn't understand everything about Him. 

    There are still many people like that in our world today. They know about Jesus, and they are impressed by Him, but they will not acknowledge that He is God come in the flesh. They will not acknowledge that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. One day, everyone will know, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 

     Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist. He was having deep guilt over what he had done, and rightly so. John was a bold preacher of righteousness. He called out the sin of the leader without fear. We need people like John today. Being a bold preacher of good and right cost John his life, but he now has a far better existence with the Lord. 

     Herod is a great example of what a person should not be like. He had no backbone. He was lustful, rash and brash. When caught in an error, he was not able to correct his error because he had to big of an opinion of himself. When he was asked for John's head, he should have refused. It was an over the top request, and he knew it. However, he didn't have the courage to end up doing the right thing. 

    Let us not be those who speak and promise rashly. Let us definitely be those who are willing when we realize that we have made a mistake that we are willing to correct it. Also, let each of us acknowledge the truth about Jesus. He is God and man. He is the Messiah. He is Savior. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please pray that the house deal goes good. Pray that I will know God's will in every step from this point on. Thank you. 

     Let us keep praying for peace. We need peace throughout the Middle East. We need peace in Sudan and Ukraine.  Pray for peace and calm in Haiti. 

    Keep praying for aid and help for the people of Venezuela. 

    Pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak and the cyclospora outbreak in the US. 

    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Israel and Iraq. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday. We will continue in our current series in Mark. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

      Ecclesiastes 3:1 -- "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

     Philippians 4:13 -- "For I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

The Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 6:7-13"

      This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for reading the message this week. I hope that everyone is doing well. 

     Last week, we saw that Jesus went to His hometown of Nazareth. The people there did not want to listen to Him. A few people did have faith, but not many. Most rejected Him as the carpenter who is just someone who grew up here. 

    Jesus, rejected by His hometown, went out to the other surrounding villages and began to preach and to teach and heal those who came or where brought to Him. He had many who did want to hear His message of love and forgiveness. Many came to be healed in body, mind, soul and spirit. 

     One of Jesus' missions while on this earth was to train up those who would carry on His message when He returned to the Father. He had disciples that He decided to send out two by two into the villages to preach and teach. Jesus told them to go without money and with just the clothes they had on. They should stay in the home of the one who offered and not travel from house to house. He said that if the people didn't want to listen to shake the dust off your feet and go to the next place. 

    The disciples went out and preached a message of repentance. Many were healed of their sicknesses, and demons and evil spirits were cast out. 

     What can we learn from Mark today? First of all, we have all been sent by Jesus to spread His message. Jesus sent out His messengers then, and He is sending us out into the world today. Our job is to tell others of the love, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus. We also have the mission of helping to deliver people from those things that are hindering them spiritually and physically. We can help feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We can be the ones that share the love of the Lord in a multitude of ways in a world that is truly in need of His life-changing message. 

    I remember when I was doing a lot of evangelism work that we often went out two by two just as Jesus did. We can go out that way today and tell others about Jesus. In our day and age, I believe that we will be most effective in sharing the message of the Lord by telling those in our circle of influence about what faith in Jesus has meant in our lives. We have a mission field so to speak with our own family, friends and circle of influence. 

     What I would like each of us to do is to find some way to tell others about the Lord Jesus. It might be through writing like I do here on the blog. It might be through music or the arts. It might be through conversations that you have that will allow you to bring up the words of the Lord about a given situation. We all need to find some way to get the message out to others. 

    I am convinced that one of the best ways to share the love of Jesus is by being a consistent testimony of the values of Jesus. When we are people of love and goodness in this harsh world, people will see that Jesus and His love and life are in us. People will see that we are acting like Jesus, and they will want to know more about the one who has influenced the course of our life and actions. 

     I also believe that by working to make this world a better place, we are helping to spread the message of Jesus. Jesus cared for everyone. He said that He had come to preach good news to the poor. He wants us to be the ones in His stead who help others and work to change things for the better in His name. When we seek to make a difference in the name of Jesus, we are giving them the message of the power of Jesus for good and right. 

    This week, let each of us tell others about who Jesus is and what He has done. Let us strive in all things to bring glory to His name so that others might know Him and the power of His resurrection. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

    I am about ready to sign the contract to sell my house. Please pray that I will have wisdom in all this. It is hard. Also, please pray for me regarding my deep depression that I am in. I am having a very hard time. Please pray for me. 

     Let us pray for an end to the parasite Cyclospora infection in many parts of the US right now. 

     Pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak. 

     Keep praying for aid and help to reach the people in Venezuela. 

     Pray for peace throughout the Middle East, in Ukraine and in Sudan. 

     For our prayer focus countries, this week we will pray for those in China and Turkey. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. I am currently working on my new commentary on I John. Hopefully, I can post that in a few week. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Isaiah 43:18-19 -- "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See! I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and springs in the wasteland."

James 1:5 -- "If any of you lacks wisdom. you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 6:1-4"

     Thank you for taking time this week to read the message. I am not feeling at all well, so please pray for me. I am also trying to sell my house and I need wisdom on all this. I hope all of you are doing well. Today, the message will not be that long. 

    As we have been going through the Gospel of Mark, we have now made our way to chapter 6. In our verses this week, we learn that Jesus decided to go back to His hometown of Nazareth to teach and to perform miracles. 

    After Jesus' teaching, the people in the town were upset. They said things like He is the carpenter and we know His family right here. They wondered how Jesus came up with His teachings, and they were offended by Him. 

    This all shocked Jesus. He said that a prophet had honor everyone except in his own hometown and amongst his own people including his family. Jesus was not able to perform many miracles in Nazareth, but He did lay hands on a few sick people and heal them. Jesus then went on to the next place where the people were more receptive to what He had to say. 

    I have a personal connection to what Jesus is saying in this passage. When I became a minister, people that I was closely associated with didn't want to listen to me. They tried to discount anything that I might say about theology and the wrongs in the world from a Biblical perspective. I do not really know why this phenomenon exists, but I experienced it and I am well aware of others who have experienced it as well.

    In my case, the biggest pushback always came whenever I tried to provide a Biblical perspective on war, poverty, or nationalism. What do you know about it would be the general retort. Sometimes, like my folks, they just didn't want to listen and kept on doing their thing in their way. I felt in the early days of my ministry, my only real ally was my friend Toby. However, I knew and know what God has called me to do no matter what others think. Because of this, I have persevered.  

    Jesus couldn't believe that people would not want to listen to Him or His message. However, He did not let it get Him down. Not everyone in the town rejected Him. He found some people who did have faith and came to Him in order to be delivered from their infirmities. If a person keeps on spreading the message of love and goodness and the message of the Lord, there will be some who will listen. 

     I want to encourage you today to always do what God has called you to do know matter what your friends or family or people in your hometown say about it. Keep serving the Lord. Don't let their negativity destroy the positive and good things that God wants to do in and through you. 

    Because I did not let others get me down and ruin my ministry, I have been able to preach, teach, write, evangelize and speak up for God and the things of God. Others didn't think I could do it. I received only discouragement. However, I knew and know what Jesus wanted and wants me to do. That is all I can do is follow Him to the best of my ability. That is what you need to do too. Do not be discouraged. 

    When you go full out for the Lord, He will go with you. He will not leave you. Amen. 

Prayer Request

     Please keep praying that I will get to feeling better. As I write this message, I am not doing well at all. I do thank you for your prayers. 

    Keep praying that Venezuela will get the aid and the help that they need to recover from the devastation of the earthquake. 

    Remember to keep praying for the end of the Ebola outbreak. 

    Pray for peace. Things aren't looking great in the Middle East, and Ukraine and Sudan still need our prayers. 

    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 I Corinthians 2:9 -- "But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him."

Revelation 21:4 -- "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall their be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for all the former things have passed away."