31 After this, Jesus left the coastland of Tyre and came through Sidon on his way to Lake Galilee and over into regions of Syria. 32 Some people brought to him a deaf man with a severe speech impediment. They pleaded with Jesus to place his hands on him and heal him.
33 So Jesus led him away from the crowd to a private spot. Then he stuck his fingers into the man’s ears and placed some of his saliva on the man’s tongue. 34 Then he gazed into heaven, sighed deeply, and spoke to the man’s ears and tongue, “Ethpathakh,” which is Aramaic for “Open up, now!”
35 At once the man’s ears opened and he could hear perfectly, and his tongue was untied and he began to speak normally. 36 Jesus ordered everyone to keep this miracle a secret, but the more he told them not to, the more the news spread! 37 The people were absolutely beside themselves and astonished beyond measure. And they began to declare, “Everything he does is wonderful! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
Terrie's Comments:
We again see a posture of desperation. It interests me that Jesus led him away from the crowd to a private spot to heal this man. Jesus didn't pray or ask God but spoke to the problem and commanded it to do what he wanted. How do you keep someone who was mute and deaf from talking about the miracle that just happened?? I think Jesus was asking something that was nearly impossible for humans to accomplish.
Tori's Comments:
It's interesting to note that Jesus led the deaf man away to a private spot, rather than heal the man in front of everyone to show who He was. This was a consistent pattern in His life!
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-)
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Day 25 - Mark 7:24-30
24 Jesus set out from there to go into the non-Jewish region of Tyre. He intended to slip into a house unnoticed, but people found out that he was there. 25 But when a woman whose daughter had a demon spirit heard he was there, she came and threw herself down at his feet. 26 She was not Jewish, but a foreigner, born in the part of Syria known as Phoenicia. She begged him repeatedly to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 Finally he said to her, “First let my children be fed and satisfied, for it isn’t fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
28 She answered, “How true that is, Lord. But even puppies under the family table are allowed to eat the little children’s crumbs.”
29 Then Jesus said to her, “That’s a good reply! Now, because you said this, you may go. The demon has permanently left your daughter.” 30 And when she returned home, she found her daughter resting quietly on the couch, completely set free from the demon!
Tori's Comments:
She was a foreigner, and the idea of Jesus helping this woman... from the Jews' perspective... probably seemed IMPOSSIBLE! But she believed, she cried out to Jesus's compassion in faith and was answered.
Terrie's Comments:
This woman was desperate. She knew about Jesus and she sought Him out to help her daughter. Jesus had come to the Jews first because they were God's chosen people. She was not even offended by being referred to as a dog but stayed and persisted. I wonder if I have ever been offended by God's response to me? Have I always stayed the course and kept persisting in prayer even after it seems like a negative or neutral response? God is please when we show faith in Him. Do we loose heart and hide our requests away from Him pretending like it is okay only to take our problem elsewhere? What would happen if we knew that Jesus is the only answer and I NEED him to take care of the problem before I leave, I have no other options! Would our conversation with God change if we came before Him with no plan B?
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
28 She answered, “How true that is, Lord. But even puppies under the family table are allowed to eat the little children’s crumbs.”
29 Then Jesus said to her, “That’s a good reply! Now, because you said this, you may go. The demon has permanently left your daughter.” 30 And when she returned home, she found her daughter resting quietly on the couch, completely set free from the demon!
Tori's Comments:
She was a foreigner, and the idea of Jesus helping this woman... from the Jews' perspective... probably seemed IMPOSSIBLE! But she believed, she cried out to Jesus's compassion in faith and was answered.
Terrie's Comments:
This woman was desperate. She knew about Jesus and she sought Him out to help her daughter. Jesus had come to the Jews first because they were God's chosen people. She was not even offended by being referred to as a dog but stayed and persisted. I wonder if I have ever been offended by God's response to me? Have I always stayed the course and kept persisting in prayer even after it seems like a negative or neutral response? God is please when we show faith in Him. Do we loose heart and hide our requests away from Him pretending like it is okay only to take our problem elsewhere? What would happen if we knew that Jesus is the only answer and I NEED him to take care of the problem before I leave, I have no other options! Would our conversation with God change if we came before Him with no plan B?
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, December 29, 2017
Day 24 - Mark 7:14-23
14 Then Jesus called the crowd together again, saying, “Hear my words, all of you, and take them to heart. 15 What truly contaminates a person is not what he puts into his body, but what comes out. That’s what makes a person defiled.”
17 When Jesus went back home and away from the crowd, his disciples acknowledged that they didn’t understand the meaning of the parable and asked him to explain it. 18 He answered them, “Are you as dull as the rest? Don’t you understand that you are not defiled by what you eat? 19 For the food you swallow doesn’t enter your heart, but goes into your stomach, only to pass out into the sewer.” (This means all foods are clean.) 20 He added, “Words and deeds pollute a person, not food. 21 Evil originates from inside a person. Coming out of a human heart are evil schemes, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, treachery, debauchery, jealousy, slander, arrogance, and recklessness. 23 All these corrupt things emerge from within and constantly pollute a person.”
Terrie's Comments:
I wonder what was going through the minds of the Jews who were listening to Jesus declare that all food was ok and nothing that was eaten could defile? And then the list of things that do defile according to Jesus... I think you would have to be dead to not be able to have at least one of those items stab your conscious. As humans we all wrestle with being selfish and doing things for ourselves instead of keeping our eyes fixed on God and doing things His way and putting others ahead of ourselves unselfishly.
Tori's Comments:
Good thing God creates in us a pure heart and sends His Holy Spirit to live inside of us, otherwise we would be a hopeless case!!
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
17 When Jesus went back home and away from the crowd, his disciples acknowledged that they didn’t understand the meaning of the parable and asked him to explain it. 18 He answered them, “Are you as dull as the rest? Don’t you understand that you are not defiled by what you eat? 19 For the food you swallow doesn’t enter your heart, but goes into your stomach, only to pass out into the sewer.” (This means all foods are clean.) 20 He added, “Words and deeds pollute a person, not food. 21 Evil originates from inside a person. Coming out of a human heart are evil schemes, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, treachery, debauchery, jealousy, slander, arrogance, and recklessness. 23 All these corrupt things emerge from within and constantly pollute a person.”
Terrie's Comments:
I wonder what was going through the minds of the Jews who were listening to Jesus declare that all food was ok and nothing that was eaten could defile? And then the list of things that do defile according to Jesus... I think you would have to be dead to not be able to have at least one of those items stab your conscious. As humans we all wrestle with being selfish and doing things for ourselves instead of keeping our eyes fixed on God and doing things His way and putting others ahead of ourselves unselfishly.
Tori's Comments:
Good thing God creates in us a pure heart and sends His Holy Spirit to live inside of us, otherwise we would be a hopeless case!!
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Day 23 - Mark 7:1-13
One day, those known as the Pharisees and certain religious scholars came from Jerusalem and gathered around Jesus. 2 They were shocked to find that some of Jesus’ disciples ate bread without first observing the prescribed Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating their meal. 3 (For the Pharisees, like all other Jews, will not eat without first performing a ritual of pouring water over their cupped hands to keep the tradition of the elders. 4 Similarly, when returning from the marketplace, they ceremonially wash themselves before eating. They also observed many other traditions, such as ceremonially washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.)
5 So the Pharisees and religious scholars asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the age-old traditions passed down by our elders? They should first ceremonially wash their hands before eating.”
6 Jesus replied, “You are frauds and hypocrites! How accurately did Isaiah prophesy about you phonies when he said:
‘These people honor me with their words
while their hearts run far away from me!
7 Their worship is nothing more than a charade!
For they continue to insist
that their man-made traditions
are equal to the instructions of God.’
8 “You abandon God’s commandments just to keep men’s rituals, such as ceremonially washing utensils, cups, and other things.”
9 Then he added, “How skillful you’ve become in rejecting God’s law in order to maintain your man-made set of rules. 10 For example, Moses taught us:
‘Honor your father and your mother,’
and,
‘Whoever insults or mistreats his father or
mother must be put to death.’
11 “But your made-up rules allow a person to say to his parents, ‘I’ve decided to take the support you were counting on from me and make it my holy offering to God, and that will be your blessing instead.’ 12 How convenient! The rules you teach exempt him from providing for his aged parents. 13 Do you really think God will honor your traditions passed down to others, making up these rules that nullify God’s Word? And you’re doing many other things like that.”
Tori's Comments:
I think Christians are quick to create their own personal rules about religion, and we're so quick to judge others for not following the rules we've created in our heads! So many issues are not nearly as important as the unity of the church, and in the end, we are all one body under Christ.
Terrie's Comments:
It is all too easy to create a "rule" out of tradition in our churches. How often to we have disagreements in the body of Christ over rituals or ways we have always done things without checking them with the word of God? How can we be unified in the body of Christ when we are holding tradition above the word of God itself?
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
5 So the Pharisees and religious scholars asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the age-old traditions passed down by our elders? They should first ceremonially wash their hands before eating.”
6 Jesus replied, “You are frauds and hypocrites! How accurately did Isaiah prophesy about you phonies when he said:
‘These people honor me with their words
while their hearts run far away from me!
7 Their worship is nothing more than a charade!
For they continue to insist
that their man-made traditions
are equal to the instructions of God.’
8 “You abandon God’s commandments just to keep men’s rituals, such as ceremonially washing utensils, cups, and other things.”
9 Then he added, “How skillful you’ve become in rejecting God’s law in order to maintain your man-made set of rules. 10 For example, Moses taught us:
‘Honor your father and your mother,’
and,
‘Whoever insults or mistreats his father or
mother must be put to death.’
11 “But your made-up rules allow a person to say to his parents, ‘I’ve decided to take the support you were counting on from me and make it my holy offering to God, and that will be your blessing instead.’ 12 How convenient! The rules you teach exempt him from providing for his aged parents. 13 Do you really think God will honor your traditions passed down to others, making up these rules that nullify God’s Word? And you’re doing many other things like that.”
Tori's Comments:
I think Christians are quick to create their own personal rules about religion, and we're so quick to judge others for not following the rules we've created in our heads! So many issues are not nearly as important as the unity of the church, and in the end, we are all one body under Christ.
Terrie's Comments:
It is all too easy to create a "rule" out of tradition in our churches. How often to we have disagreements in the body of Christ over rituals or ways we have always done things without checking them with the word of God? How can we be unified in the body of Christ when we are holding tradition above the word of God itself?
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Day 21 - Mark 6:30-44
30 The apostles returned from their mission and gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.
31 There was such a swirl of activity around Jesus, with so many people coming and going, that they were unable to even eat a meal. So Jesus said to his disciples, “Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.” 32 They slipped away and left by sailboat for a deserted spot. 33 But many of the people saw them leaving and realized where they were headed, so they took off running along the shore. Then people from the surrounding towns joined them in the chase, and a large crowd got there ahead of them.
34 By the time Jesus came ashore, a massive crowd was waiting. At the sight of them, his heart was filled with compassion, because they seemed like wandering sheep who had no shepherd. So he taught them many things.
35 Late that afternoon, his disciples said, “It’s getting really late and we’re here in this remote place with nothing to eat. 36 You should send the crowds away so they can go into the surrounding villages and buy food for themselves.”
37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
“Are you sure?” they replied. “You really want us to go buy them supper? It would cost a small fortune to feed all these thousands of hungry people.”
38 “How many loaves of bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” After they had looked around, they came back and said, “Five—plus a couple of fish.”
39 Then he instructed them to organize the crowd and have them sit down in groups on the grass. 40 So they had them sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to his disciples to serve the people—and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes! 42 Everyone had plenty to eat and was fully satisfied. 43 Then the twelve disciples picked up what remained, and each of them ended up with a basket full of leftovers! 44 Altogether, five thousand families were fed that day!
Tori's Comments:
Jesus did not lose patience with those who were seeking the truth! He was always willing to share with them, even when he really wanted to slip away.
Terrie's Comments:
Sometimes we need to get away and alone with Jesus to recoup and regenerate our spirits! Doing the work of God is not the same thing. Sometimes in ministry it can very easy to get caught up in being in the Word for the sake of feeding others and not taking time to feed yourself. Jesus wants to meet our physical needs and our spiritual needs. He is able to meet all of our needs in abundance. We just need to be willing to follow Him to a secluded place to be fed and trust Him when we have physical needs which seem impossible to us to meet. If we remember to get alone with Jesus he will be able to meet the needs of others through us with plenty left over to meet our own needs in abundance :-)
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
31 There was such a swirl of activity around Jesus, with so many people coming and going, that they were unable to even eat a meal. So Jesus said to his disciples, “Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.” 32 They slipped away and left by sailboat for a deserted spot. 33 But many of the people saw them leaving and realized where they were headed, so they took off running along the shore. Then people from the surrounding towns joined them in the chase, and a large crowd got there ahead of them.
34 By the time Jesus came ashore, a massive crowd was waiting. At the sight of them, his heart was filled with compassion, because they seemed like wandering sheep who had no shepherd. So he taught them many things.
35 Late that afternoon, his disciples said, “It’s getting really late and we’re here in this remote place with nothing to eat. 36 You should send the crowds away so they can go into the surrounding villages and buy food for themselves.”
37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
“Are you sure?” they replied. “You really want us to go buy them supper? It would cost a small fortune to feed all these thousands of hungry people.”
38 “How many loaves of bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” After they had looked around, they came back and said, “Five—plus a couple of fish.”
39 Then he instructed them to organize the crowd and have them sit down in groups on the grass. 40 So they had them sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to his disciples to serve the people—and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes! 42 Everyone had plenty to eat and was fully satisfied. 43 Then the twelve disciples picked up what remained, and each of them ended up with a basket full of leftovers! 44 Altogether, five thousand families were fed that day!
Tori's Comments:
Jesus did not lose patience with those who were seeking the truth! He was always willing to share with them, even when he really wanted to slip away.
Terrie's Comments:
Sometimes we need to get away and alone with Jesus to recoup and regenerate our spirits! Doing the work of God is not the same thing. Sometimes in ministry it can very easy to get caught up in being in the Word for the sake of feeding others and not taking time to feed yourself. Jesus wants to meet our physical needs and our spiritual needs. He is able to meet all of our needs in abundance. We just need to be willing to follow Him to a secluded place to be fed and trust Him when we have physical needs which seem impossible to us to meet. If we remember to get alone with Jesus he will be able to meet the needs of others through us with plenty left over to meet our own needs in abundance :-)
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, December 25, 2017
Day 20 - Mark 6:14-29
14 King Herod soon heard about Jesus, for the name of Jesus was on everyone’s lips. Some were even saying about him, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers flow from him!” 15 Others said, “No, he’s Elijah!” While others said, “He’s a prophet, like one of the prophets of old!”
16 When Herod heard what the people were saying, he concluded, “I beheaded John, and now he’s raised from the dead!” 17–18 For Herod had John arrested and thrown into prison for repeatedly rebuking him in public, saying, “You have no right to marry Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip! You are violating the law of God!”
19 This infuriated Herodias, and she held a bitter grudge against him and wanted John executed. 20 But Herod both feared and stood in awe of John and kept him safely in custody, because he was convinced that he was a righteous and holy man. Every time Herod heard John speak, it disturbed his soul, but he was drawn to him and enjoyed listening to his words.
21 But Herodias found her opportunity to have John killed—it was on the king’s birthday! Herod prepared a great banquet and invited all his officials, military commanders, and the leaders of the province of Galilee to celebrate with him on his birthday. 22 On the day of the feast, his stepdaughter, the daughter of Herodias, came to honor the king with a beautiful dance, and she flattered him. Her dancing greatly pleased the king and his guests, so he said to the girl, “You can ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you!” 23 And he repeated it in front of everyone, with a vow to complete his promise to her: “Anything you desire and it will be yours! I’ll even share my kingdom with you!”
24 She immediately left the room and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptizer on a platter!” 25 So she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want you to bring me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter—and I want it right now!”
26 Deeply grieved, the king regretted his promise to her, but since he had made his vow in front of all his honored guests, he couldn’t deny her request. 27 So without delay the king ordered an executioner to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. 28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl brought it to her mother. 29 When John’s followers heard what had happened, they came and removed his body and laid it in a tomb.
Terrie's Comments:
Merry Christmas! This is kind of a weird passage for Christmas morning I know but the word will not return void and I trust that your spirit will be encouraged even in the reading of this passage today! The name of Jesus was on everyone's lips! That must of been exciting even if most of the people were spreading things that were not true because they simply didn't know. They knew He was healing and setting people free and that was enough for His name to be spread. Is the name of Jesus on our lips? Do we proclaim everything that He has done in our lives to those around us? Do we dispel the myths about Him and bring people into the family of God to have an intimate relationship with our Savior? Let us proclaim what Jesus has done for the whole world today as we celebrate His birthday!!
Tori's Comments:
Interesting passage for Christmas :) John the Baptist had a great faith throughout his life, and although his life ended like this, his reward is great!
Day 25
- Merry Christmas!
- Read Isaiah 53:5
- On Christmas morning, grab pots and pans and spoons and spatulas; run outside banging them and shouting the Good News that Jesus was born!
- Have a great Christmas!
- Share one thing you love about each other!
- Spend time with family and give thanks for the Savior's birth
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
16 When Herod heard what the people were saying, he concluded, “I beheaded John, and now he’s raised from the dead!” 17–18 For Herod had John arrested and thrown into prison for repeatedly rebuking him in public, saying, “You have no right to marry Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip! You are violating the law of God!”
19 This infuriated Herodias, and she held a bitter grudge against him and wanted John executed. 20 But Herod both feared and stood in awe of John and kept him safely in custody, because he was convinced that he was a righteous and holy man. Every time Herod heard John speak, it disturbed his soul, but he was drawn to him and enjoyed listening to his words.
21 But Herodias found her opportunity to have John killed—it was on the king’s birthday! Herod prepared a great banquet and invited all his officials, military commanders, and the leaders of the province of Galilee to celebrate with him on his birthday. 22 On the day of the feast, his stepdaughter, the daughter of Herodias, came to honor the king with a beautiful dance, and she flattered him. Her dancing greatly pleased the king and his guests, so he said to the girl, “You can ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you!” 23 And he repeated it in front of everyone, with a vow to complete his promise to her: “Anything you desire and it will be yours! I’ll even share my kingdom with you!”
24 She immediately left the room and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptizer on a platter!” 25 So she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want you to bring me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter—and I want it right now!”
26 Deeply grieved, the king regretted his promise to her, but since he had made his vow in front of all his honored guests, he couldn’t deny her request. 27 So without delay the king ordered an executioner to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. 28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl brought it to her mother. 29 When John’s followers heard what had happened, they came and removed his body and laid it in a tomb.
Terrie's Comments:
Merry Christmas! This is kind of a weird passage for Christmas morning I know but the word will not return void and I trust that your spirit will be encouraged even in the reading of this passage today! The name of Jesus was on everyone's lips! That must of been exciting even if most of the people were spreading things that were not true because they simply didn't know. They knew He was healing and setting people free and that was enough for His name to be spread. Is the name of Jesus on our lips? Do we proclaim everything that He has done in our lives to those around us? Do we dispel the myths about Him and bring people into the family of God to have an intimate relationship with our Savior? Let us proclaim what Jesus has done for the whole world today as we celebrate His birthday!!
Tori's Comments:
Interesting passage for Christmas :) John the Baptist had a great faith throughout his life, and although his life ended like this, his reward is great!
Day 25
- Merry Christmas!
- Read Isaiah 53:5
- On Christmas morning, grab pots and pans and spoons and spatulas; run outside banging them and shouting the Good News that Jesus was born!
- Have a great Christmas!
- Share one thing you love about each other!
- Spend time with family and give thanks for the Savior's birth
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Day 19 - Mark 6:1-13
Afterward, Jesus left Capernaum and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 On the Sabbath, he went to teach in the synagogue. Everyone who heard his teaching was overwhelmed with astonishment. They said among themselves, “What incredible wisdom has been given to him! Where did he receive such profound insights? And what mighty miracles flow through his hands! 3 Isn’t this Mary’s son, the carpenter, the brother of Jacob, Joseph, Judah, and Simon? And don’t his sisters all live here in Nazareth?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is treated with honor everywhere except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.” 5 He was unable to do any great miracle in Nazareth, except to heal a few sick people by laying his hands upon them. 6 He was amazed at the depth of their unbelief!
Then Jesus went out into the different villages and taught the people.
7 Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and imparted to them his authority to cast out demons. Then he sent them out in pairs with these instructions: 8–9 “Take only your staff and the sandals on your feet—no bread, no knapsack, no extra garment, and no money. 10 And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area. 11 Whatever community does not welcome you or receive your message, leave it behind. And as you go, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
12 So they went out and preached publicly that everyone should repent. 13 They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Tori's Comments:
Because the people could to believe Jesus had the power to do things, they weren't able to see the amazing miracles Jesus did in other places!
Terrie's Comments:
How do we receive Jesus? Do we believe His Word? Jesus always was teaching. We are instructed to make disciples not just to tell the Good News. If someone is converted but is not taught beyond basic salvation what good will that do them? There will be no depth to the seed and the roots will have little chance to go down deep and produce fruit in their lives. Let us become mature and spur others on to maturity in our relationship with Jesus Christ as well!
Day 24
- Read Matthew 2:19-23
- Read the Christmas story together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
- Ask others to pay it forward
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is treated with honor everywhere except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.” 5 He was unable to do any great miracle in Nazareth, except to heal a few sick people by laying his hands upon them. 6 He was amazed at the depth of their unbelief!
Then Jesus went out into the different villages and taught the people.
7 Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and imparted to them his authority to cast out demons. Then he sent them out in pairs with these instructions: 8–9 “Take only your staff and the sandals on your feet—no bread, no knapsack, no extra garment, and no money. 10 And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area. 11 Whatever community does not welcome you or receive your message, leave it behind. And as you go, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
12 So they went out and preached publicly that everyone should repent. 13 They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Tori's Comments:
Because the people could to believe Jesus had the power to do things, they weren't able to see the amazing miracles Jesus did in other places!
Terrie's Comments:
How do we receive Jesus? Do we believe His Word? Jesus always was teaching. We are instructed to make disciples not just to tell the Good News. If someone is converted but is not taught beyond basic salvation what good will that do them? There will be no depth to the seed and the roots will have little chance to go down deep and produce fruit in their lives. Let us become mature and spur others on to maturity in our relationship with Jesus Christ as well!
Day 24
- Read Matthew 2:19-23
- Read the Christmas story together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
- Ask others to pay it forward
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Day 18 - Mark 5:35-43
35 And before he had finished speaking, people arrived from Jairus’ house and pushed through the crowd to give Jairus the news: “There’s no need to trouble the master any longer—your daughter has died.” 36 But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” 37 So they left for his home, but Jesus didn’t allow anyone to go with them except Peter and the two brothers, Jacob and John.
38 When they arrived at the home of the synagogue ruler, they encountered a noisy uproar among the people, for they were all weeping and wailing. 39 Upon entering the home, Jesus said to them, “Why all this grief and weeping? Don’t you know the girl is not dead but merely asleep?” 40 Then everyone began to ridicule and make fun of him. But he threw them all outside.
Then he took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples and went into the room where the girl was lying. 41 He tenderly clasped the child’s hand in his and said to her in Aramaic, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, wake up from the sleep of death.” 42 Instantly the twelve-year-old girl sat up, stood to her feet, and started walking around the room! Everyone was overcome with astonishment in seeing this miracle! 43 Jesus had them bring her something to eat. And he repeatedly cautioned them that they were to tell no one about what had happened.
Terrie's Comments:
"Jesus refused to listen to what they were told" "Don't yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing." How often do we choose to listen to the voices around us instead of keeping our minds and hearts fixed on Jesus? How often do we yield to fear or worry? How often do we doubt because of what is going on in our world? Refuse to listen to the voices around you that are not lining up with the Word of God, Don't yield to your fear when things aren't changing immediately, Keep on believing! His word is true All we need to do is to keep on believing!
Tori's Comments:
Jesus chose to follow the Spirit and live by faith rather than let what others were telling him ("it's impossible") to dictate his decisions.
Day 23
- Read Matthew 2:13-18
- Buy the Truth in the Tinsel curriculum to make an ornament each day and read part of the Christmas story.
- Babysit for free
- play a game in front of the fire
- Take a family walk to look at Christmas lights together
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
38 When they arrived at the home of the synagogue ruler, they encountered a noisy uproar among the people, for they were all weeping and wailing. 39 Upon entering the home, Jesus said to them, “Why all this grief and weeping? Don’t you know the girl is not dead but merely asleep?” 40 Then everyone began to ridicule and make fun of him. But he threw them all outside.
Then he took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples and went into the room where the girl was lying. 41 He tenderly clasped the child’s hand in his and said to her in Aramaic, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, wake up from the sleep of death.” 42 Instantly the twelve-year-old girl sat up, stood to her feet, and started walking around the room! Everyone was overcome with astonishment in seeing this miracle! 43 Jesus had them bring her something to eat. And he repeatedly cautioned them that they were to tell no one about what had happened.
Terrie's Comments:
"Jesus refused to listen to what they were told" "Don't yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing." How often do we choose to listen to the voices around us instead of keeping our minds and hearts fixed on Jesus? How often do we yield to fear or worry? How often do we doubt because of what is going on in our world? Refuse to listen to the voices around you that are not lining up with the Word of God, Don't yield to your fear when things aren't changing immediately, Keep on believing! His word is true All we need to do is to keep on believing!
Tori's Comments:
Jesus chose to follow the Spirit and live by faith rather than let what others were telling him ("it's impossible") to dictate his decisions.
Day 23
- Read Matthew 2:13-18
- Buy the Truth in the Tinsel curriculum to make an ornament each day and read part of the Christmas story.
- Babysit for free
- play a game in front of the fire
- Take a family walk to look at Christmas lights together
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, December 22, 2017
Day 17 - Mark 5:21-34
21 After Jesus returned from across the lake, a huge crowd of people quickly gathered around him on the shoreline. 22 Just then, a man saw that it was Jesus, so he pushed through the crowd and threw himself down at his feet. His name was Jairus, a Jewish official who was in charge of the synagogue. 23 He pleaded with Jesus, saying over and over, “Please come with me! My little daughter is at the point of death, and she’s only twelve years old! Come and lay your hands on her and heal her and she will live!”
24 Jesus went with him, and the huge crowd followed, pressing in on him from all sides.
25 Now, in the crowd that day was a woman who had suffered horribly from continual bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had endured a great deal under the care of various doctors, yet in spite of spending all she had on their treatments, she was not getting better, but worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus’ healing power, she pushed through the crowd and came up from behind him and touched his prayer shawl. 28 For she kept saying to herself, “If only I could touch his clothes, I know I will be healed.” 29 As soon as her hand touched him, her bleeding immediately stopped! She knew it, for she could feel her body instantly being healed of her disease!
30 Jesus knew at once that someone had touched him, for he felt the power that always surged around him had passed through him for someone to be healed. He turned and spoke to the crowd, saying, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 His disciples answered, “What do you mean, who touched you? Look at this huge crowd—they’re all pressing up against you.” 32 But Jesus’ eyes swept across the crowd, looking for the one who had touched him for healing.
33 When the woman who experienced this miracle realized what had happened to her, she came before him, trembling with fear, and threw herself down at his feet, saying, “I was the one who touched you.” And she told him her story of what had just happened.
34 Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, because you dared to believe, your faith has healed you. Go with peace in your heart, and be free from your suffering!”
Tori's Comments:
Faith can do amazing things. I love how Jesus phrases it in this version: "because you dared to believe", because doubt creeps in but those who stick out and stand on their faith will be rewarded!
Terrie's Comments:
Day 22
- Read Matthew 2:1-12
- Research Christmas ornaments and their meanings, and make some for your tree
- Donate food
- Take a walk and look for animal tracks
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
24 Jesus went with him, and the huge crowd followed, pressing in on him from all sides.
25 Now, in the crowd that day was a woman who had suffered horribly from continual bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had endured a great deal under the care of various doctors, yet in spite of spending all she had on their treatments, she was not getting better, but worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus’ healing power, she pushed through the crowd and came up from behind him and touched his prayer shawl. 28 For she kept saying to herself, “If only I could touch his clothes, I know I will be healed.” 29 As soon as her hand touched him, her bleeding immediately stopped! She knew it, for she could feel her body instantly being healed of her disease!
30 Jesus knew at once that someone had touched him, for he felt the power that always surged around him had passed through him for someone to be healed. He turned and spoke to the crowd, saying, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 His disciples answered, “What do you mean, who touched you? Look at this huge crowd—they’re all pressing up against you.” 32 But Jesus’ eyes swept across the crowd, looking for the one who had touched him for healing.
33 When the woman who experienced this miracle realized what had happened to her, she came before him, trembling with fear, and threw herself down at his feet, saying, “I was the one who touched you.” And she told him her story of what had just happened.
34 Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, because you dared to believe, your faith has healed you. Go with peace in your heart, and be free from your suffering!”
Tori's Comments:
Faith can do amazing things. I love how Jesus phrases it in this version: "because you dared to believe", because doubt creeps in but those who stick out and stand on their faith will be rewarded!
Terrie's Comments:
Day 22
- Read Matthew 2:1-12
- Research Christmas ornaments and their meanings, and make some for your tree
- Donate food
- Take a walk and look for animal tracks
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Day 16 - Mark 5:14-20
14 Now, the herdsmen fled to the nearby villages, telling everyone what they saw as they ran through the countryside, and everyone came out to see what had happened. 15 When they found Jesus, they saw the demonized man sitting there, properly clothed and in his right mind. Seeing what had happened to the man who had thousands of demons, the people were terrified. 16 Those who had witnessed this miracle reported the news to the people and included what had happened to the pigs. 17 Then they asked Jesus to leave their region.
18 And as Jesus began to get into the boat to depart, the man who had been set free from demons asked him, “Could I go with you?” 19 Jesus answered, “No,” but said to him, “Go back to your home and to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you. Tell them how he had mercy on you.”
20 So the man left and went into the region of Jordan and parts of Syria to tell everyone he met about what Jesus had done for him, and all the people marveled!
Terrie's Comments:
Tori's Comments:
"how he had mercy on you" God's overwhelming goodness to us should be talked about, spread throughout... Oh, what the Lord has done for us!
Day 21
- Read Matthew 1:18-25
- Make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday
- Help a friend
- Cookie Decorating party!
- Share cookies with neighbours
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
18 And as Jesus began to get into the boat to depart, the man who had been set free from demons asked him, “Could I go with you?” 19 Jesus answered, “No,” but said to him, “Go back to your home and to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you. Tell them how he had mercy on you.”
20 So the man left and went into the region of Jordan and parts of Syria to tell everyone he met about what Jesus had done for him, and all the people marveled!
Terrie's Comments:
Tori's Comments:
"how he had mercy on you" God's overwhelming goodness to us should be talked about, spread throughout... Oh, what the Lord has done for us!
Day 21
- Read Matthew 1:18-25
- Make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday
- Help a friend
- Cookie Decorating party!
- Share cookies with neighbours
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Day 15 - Mark 5:1-13
They arrived at the other side of the lake, at the region of the Gerasenes. 2 As Jesus stepped ashore, a demon-possessed madman came out of the graveyard and confronted him. 3 The man had been living there among the tombs of the dead, and no one was able to restrain him, not even with chains. 4 For every time they attempted to chain his hands and feet with shackles, he would snap the chains and break the shackles in pieces. He was so strong that no one had the power to subdue him. 5 Day and night he could be found lurking in the cemetery or in the vicinity, shrieking and mangling himself with stones!
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to him and threw himself down before him, 7 screaming out at the top of his lungs, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! Swear in God’s name that you won’t torture me!” 8 (For Jesus had already said to him, “Come out of that man, you demon spirit!”)
9 Jesus said to him, “What is your name?”
“Mob,” he answered. “They call me Mob because there are thousands of us in his body!” 10 He begged Jesus repeatedly not to expel them out of the region.
11 Nearby there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside. 12 The demons begged him, “Send us into the pigs. Let us enter them!”
13 So Jesus gave them permission, and the demon horde immediately came out of the man and went into the pigs! This caused the herd to rush madly down the steep slope and fall into the lake, drowning about two thousand pigs!Depending on weight, the cost of two thousand live pigs today could be as much as $250,000. The economic cost to the community over the loss of this herd was significant.
Tori's Comments:
Who do we have to fear? The culture around us instigates a large fear of the unexplainable and supernatural. It wouldn't take much channel surfing to find a show that exemplifies this. But we? We have no fear! Jesus gave us authority over the evil spirits with the Holy Spirit working through us.
Terrie's Comments:
To Jesus the value of one man's life was far greater than the worth of a whole herd of pigs. Jesus came to set the captives free at a great cost to himself. He left heaven and chose to live within the limitations of human flesh. He was mocked, beaten, scorned, spit on, and killed by his own creation. He knew the cost but our lives to him are so valuable it was worth it.
Day 20
- Read Luke 2:41-51
- When hanging Christmas lights, talk about Jesus being the light of the world.
- Cook dinner for someone
- Take a car tour of your city's lights
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to him and threw himself down before him, 7 screaming out at the top of his lungs, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! Swear in God’s name that you won’t torture me!” 8 (For Jesus had already said to him, “Come out of that man, you demon spirit!”)
9 Jesus said to him, “What is your name?”
“Mob,” he answered. “They call me Mob because there are thousands of us in his body!” 10 He begged Jesus repeatedly not to expel them out of the region.
11 Nearby there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside. 12 The demons begged him, “Send us into the pigs. Let us enter them!”
13 So Jesus gave them permission, and the demon horde immediately came out of the man and went into the pigs! This caused the herd to rush madly down the steep slope and fall into the lake, drowning about two thousand pigs!Depending on weight, the cost of two thousand live pigs today could be as much as $250,000. The economic cost to the community over the loss of this herd was significant.
Tori's Comments:
Who do we have to fear? The culture around us instigates a large fear of the unexplainable and supernatural. It wouldn't take much channel surfing to find a show that exemplifies this. But we? We have no fear! Jesus gave us authority over the evil spirits with the Holy Spirit working through us.
Terrie's Comments:
To Jesus the value of one man's life was far greater than the worth of a whole herd of pigs. Jesus came to set the captives free at a great cost to himself. He left heaven and chose to live within the limitations of human flesh. He was mocked, beaten, scorned, spit on, and killed by his own creation. He knew the cost but our lives to him are so valuable it was worth it.
Day 20
- Read Luke 2:41-51
- When hanging Christmas lights, talk about Jesus being the light of the world.
- Cook dinner for someone
- Take a car tour of your city's lights
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Day 14 - Mark 4:30-41
30 And he told them this parable: “How can I describe God’s kingdom realm? Let me illustrate it with this parable. 31 It is like the mustard seed, the tiniest of all the seeds, 32 yet when it springs up and grows, it becomes the largest plant in the garden. And with so many enormous spreading branches, even birds can nest in its shade.”
33 Jesus used many parables such as these as he taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. 34 He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until they were alone before he explained their meanings to his disciples.
35 Later that day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 After they had sent the crowd away, they shoved off from shore with him, as he had been teaching from the boat, and there were other boats that sailed with them. 37 Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but swamped. 38 But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. 39 So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Calm down!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.
40 Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” 41 But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?”
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus knew who he was and he knew that everything that is on the earth, including the wind and the waves were part of his creation. What we see here on earth is only a small portion of what is really real. When we are born again we are born into another kingdom. Our home is no longer here but in heaven. We have become ambassadors here on earth to promote our heavenly home to those around us. Jesus knew he had access to the authority to tell his creation to be still. We have the Holy Spirit in us and we have that same supernatural protection that the disciples had on the boat with them. Are we afraid of the storms around us? Have we learned to trust yet?
Tori's Comments:
I love this passage! It was a relief to me to know that God can use any amount of faith, and even in that, we can pray for God's help.
I wonder why he explained his parables to the disciples but not everybody else. If some in the crowd understood, why wouldn't the disciples?
Aren't we safe with a God who speaks to the winds and waves? Who cares about the storms around us? God can take care of us best!
Day 19
- Read Luke 2:36-40
- Replace one or more Christmas gifts with gifts from the World Vision or Samaritan's Purse catalogs
- Collect soda tabs for Ronald McDonald
- Read your favorite Christmas Book
- Go caroling at a nursing home or people you know who may need a lift
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
33 Jesus used many parables such as these as he taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. 34 He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until they were alone before he explained their meanings to his disciples.
35 Later that day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 After they had sent the crowd away, they shoved off from shore with him, as he had been teaching from the boat, and there were other boats that sailed with them. 37 Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but swamped. 38 But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. 39 So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Calm down!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.
40 Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” 41 But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?”
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus knew who he was and he knew that everything that is on the earth, including the wind and the waves were part of his creation. What we see here on earth is only a small portion of what is really real. When we are born again we are born into another kingdom. Our home is no longer here but in heaven. We have become ambassadors here on earth to promote our heavenly home to those around us. Jesus knew he had access to the authority to tell his creation to be still. We have the Holy Spirit in us and we have that same supernatural protection that the disciples had on the boat with them. Are we afraid of the storms around us? Have we learned to trust yet?
Tori's Comments:
I love this passage! It was a relief to me to know that God can use any amount of faith, and even in that, we can pray for God's help.
I wonder why he explained his parables to the disciples but not everybody else. If some in the crowd understood, why wouldn't the disciples?
Aren't we safe with a God who speaks to the winds and waves? Who cares about the storms around us? God can take care of us best!
Day 19
- Read Luke 2:36-40
- Replace one or more Christmas gifts with gifts from the World Vision or Samaritan's Purse catalogs
- Collect soda tabs for Ronald McDonald
- Read your favorite Christmas Book
- Go caroling at a nursing home or people you know who may need a lift
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, December 18, 2017
Day 13 - Mark 4:21-29
21 He also gave them this parable: “No one lights a lamp only to place it under a basket or under the bed. It is meant to be placed on a lampstand. 22 For there is nothing that is hidden that won’t be disclosed, and there is no secret that won’t be brought out into the light! 23 If you understand what I’m saying, you need to respond!”
24 Then he said to them, “Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to the depth of your longing to understand, much more will be added to you. 25 For those who listen with open hearts will receive more revelation. But those who don’t listen with open hearts will lose what little they think they have!”
26 Jesus also told them this parable: “God’s kingdom realm is like someone spreading seed on the ground. 27 He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, and the seed sprouts and grows tall, though he knows not how. 28 All by itself it sprouts, and the soil produces a crop; first the green stem, then the head on the stalk, and then the fully developed grain in the head. 29 Then, when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts the sickle to the grain, because harvest time has come.”
Tori's Comments:
Seek God! We are so easily distracted by worries and let God sit in the back of our minds. But if we only focused on Him, all our worries would drift away!
Terrie's Comments:
Paying attention to the Word of God and holding it in high regard will pay off. The more you want to understand and learn, the more revelation you will receive. It seems like everything happens this way with our relationship with God. We take one step towards God and He takes 5 steps towards us. In my experience God always matches and surpasses any effort I put into our relationship!
Day 18
- Read Luke 2:22-35
- Cook Participate in an Angel Tree project
- Shovel Snow for a neighbour
- Have a games night in your Jajama's
- Do something special for bank tellers, garbage collectors, Sunday school teachers, etc.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
24 Then he said to them, “Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to the depth of your longing to understand, much more will be added to you. 25 For those who listen with open hearts will receive more revelation. But those who don’t listen with open hearts will lose what little they think they have!”
26 Jesus also told them this parable: “God’s kingdom realm is like someone spreading seed on the ground. 27 He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, and the seed sprouts and grows tall, though he knows not how. 28 All by itself it sprouts, and the soil produces a crop; first the green stem, then the head on the stalk, and then the fully developed grain in the head. 29 Then, when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts the sickle to the grain, because harvest time has come.”
Tori's Comments:
Seek God! We are so easily distracted by worries and let God sit in the back of our minds. But if we only focused on Him, all our worries would drift away!
Terrie's Comments:
Paying attention to the Word of God and holding it in high regard will pay off. The more you want to understand and learn, the more revelation you will receive. It seems like everything happens this way with our relationship with God. We take one step towards God and He takes 5 steps towards us. In my experience God always matches and surpasses any effort I put into our relationship!
Day 18
- Read Luke 2:22-35
- Cook Participate in an Angel Tree project
- Shovel Snow for a neighbour
- Have a games night in your Jajama's
- Do something special for bank tellers, garbage collectors, Sunday school teachers, etc.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Day 12 - Mark 4:10-20
10 Afterwards, Jesus, his disciples and those close to him remained behind to ask Jesus about his parables. 11 He said to them, “The privilege of intimately knowing the mystery of God’s kingdom realm has been granted to you, but not to the others, where everything is revealed in parables.
12 “For even when they see what I do, they will not understand, and when they, hear what I say, they will learn nothing, otherwise they would repent and be forgiven.”
13 Then he said to them, “If you don’t understand this parable, how will you understand any parable? 14 Let me explain: The farmer sows the Word as seed, 15 and what falls on the beaten path represents those who hear the Word, but immediately Satan appears and snatches it from their hearts. 16 The seed sown on gravel represents those who hear the Word and receive it joyfully, 17 but because their hearts fail to sink a deep root into the Word, they don’t endure for long. For when trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, they immediately wilt and fall away. 18 And the seed sown among thorns represents those who hear the Word, 19 but they allow the cares of this life and the seduction of wealth and the desires for other things to crowd out and choke the Word so that it produces nothing.
20 “But the seed sown on good soil represents those who open their hearts to receive the Word and their lives bear good fruit—some yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, even one hundred times more than was sown!”
Terrie's Comments:
I pray that I would receive the Word into Good soil more often than not. It is so easy to not let the word sink in, or to allow the cares of this life and the desire for things crowd it out so it doesn't produce anything.
I want to receive the word of God joyfully and let it penetrate my heart so that it is allowed to grow and produce an abundant harvest!
Tori's Comments:
The plant just needs to grow, that is it's main focus. And even then, it grows because that's what it was made to do! Not be distracted by wealth or worry.
Day 17
- Read Luke 2:13-21
- Cook Christmas recipes from other countries and pray for people in those countries to know Christ.
- Tell family members you love them
- Take cupcakes to your local fire department
- Decide on a special Christmas donation for a charity
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
12 “For even when they see what I do, they will not understand, and when they, hear what I say, they will learn nothing, otherwise they would repent and be forgiven.”
13 Then he said to them, “If you don’t understand this parable, how will you understand any parable? 14 Let me explain: The farmer sows the Word as seed, 15 and what falls on the beaten path represents those who hear the Word, but immediately Satan appears and snatches it from their hearts. 16 The seed sown on gravel represents those who hear the Word and receive it joyfully, 17 but because their hearts fail to sink a deep root into the Word, they don’t endure for long. For when trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, they immediately wilt and fall away. 18 And the seed sown among thorns represents those who hear the Word, 19 but they allow the cares of this life and the seduction of wealth and the desires for other things to crowd out and choke the Word so that it produces nothing.
20 “But the seed sown on good soil represents those who open their hearts to receive the Word and their lives bear good fruit—some yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, even one hundred times more than was sown!”
Terrie's Comments:
I pray that I would receive the Word into Good soil more often than not. It is so easy to not let the word sink in, or to allow the cares of this life and the desire for things crowd it out so it doesn't produce anything.
I want to receive the word of God joyfully and let it penetrate my heart so that it is allowed to grow and produce an abundant harvest!
Tori's Comments:
The plant just needs to grow, that is it's main focus. And even then, it grows because that's what it was made to do! Not be distracted by wealth or worry.
Day 17
- Read Luke 2:13-21
- Cook Christmas recipes from other countries and pray for people in those countries to know Christ.
- Tell family members you love them
- Take cupcakes to your local fire department
- Decide on a special Christmas donation for a charity
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Day 11 - Mark 4:1-9
1 Once again Jesus went to teach the people on the shore of Lake Galilee and a massive crowd surrounded him. The crowd was so huge that he had to get into a boat and teach the people from there. 2 He taught them many things by using parables to illustrate spiritual truths, saying:
3 “Consider this: A farmer went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds some of it fell along the beaten path and soon the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seeds fell onto gravel with no topsoil and the seeds quickly sprouted since the soil had no depth. 6 But when the days grew hot, the sprouts were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, so when the seeds sprouted so did the thorns, crowding out the young plants so that they could produce no grain. 8 But some of the seeds fell onto good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty—and some even one hundred times as much as was planted! 9 If you understand this, then you need to respond.”
Tori's Comments:
"Some yielded ... even one hundred times as much as was planted!" Are we taking the gospel with us wherever we go?
Terrie's Comments:
The seed is the word of God. How do we respond when we hear the word of God? Do we guard it and tend to it like a treasure so it will grow and change us? Do we allow it to be stolen from us or just walk away and forget what we have read?
Day 16
- Read Luke 2:1-12
- Use Operation World to pray for people in a different country each day to know Jesus.
- Pay for someone else's food
- Make a Paper Garland
- Read Christmas books together
- Make cocoa for a cozy drink for the kids
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 “Consider this: A farmer went out to sow seeds. 4 As he cast his seeds some of it fell along the beaten path and soon the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seeds fell onto gravel with no topsoil and the seeds quickly sprouted since the soil had no depth. 6 But when the days grew hot, the sprouts were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. 7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, so when the seeds sprouted so did the thorns, crowding out the young plants so that they could produce no grain. 8 But some of the seeds fell onto good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty—and some even one hundred times as much as was planted! 9 If you understand this, then you need to respond.”
Tori's Comments:
"Some yielded ... even one hundred times as much as was planted!" Are we taking the gospel with us wherever we go?
Terrie's Comments:
The seed is the word of God. How do we respond when we hear the word of God? Do we guard it and tend to it like a treasure so it will grow and change us? Do we allow it to be stolen from us or just walk away and forget what we have read?
Day 16
- Read Luke 2:1-12
- Use Operation World to pray for people in a different country each day to know Jesus.
- Pay for someone else's food
- Make a Paper Garland
- Read Christmas books together
- Make cocoa for a cozy drink for the kids
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, December 15, 2017
Day 10 - Mark 3:22-35
22 The religious scholars who arrived from Jerusalem were saying, “Satan has possessed him! He casts out demons by the authority of the prince of demons!” 23 Jesus called them to himself and spoke to them using parables. “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 No kingdom can endure if it is divided against itself, 25 and a splintered household will not be able to stand, for it is divided. 26 And if Satan fights against himself he will not endure, and his end has come.”
27 Jesus said to them, “Listen. No one is able to break into a mighty man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers the mighty man and ties him up. Then his entire house can be plundered and his possessions taken. 28 I tell you this timeless truth: All sin will be forgiven, even all the blasphemies they speak. 29 But there can never be forgiveness for the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, for he is guilty of an eternal sin!” 30 (This is because they said he was empowered by a demon spirit.)
31 Then Jesus’ mother and his brothers came and stood outside and sent a message to him, asking that he come out and speak with them. 32 When the crowd sitting around Jesus heard this, they spoke up, and said to him, “Jesus, your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 He answered them saying, “Who is my true mother and my true brothers?” 34 Then looking in the eyes of those who were sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my true family members. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother!”
Terrie's Comments:
Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is giving credit elsewhere when the Holy Spirit is moving or blaming the Holy Spirit for something that He isn't responsible for doing.
We are to praise God when Praise is due Him and not make the same mistake that was made in this passage. The religious scholars were accusing Jesus of working under the authority of the devil because they didn't understand the authority he had.
Do we sometimes see miracles or the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and come to the same conclusion that was made here? Do we embrace the working of the Holy Spirit or do we question it reluctant to believe that it is from God?
Tori's Comments:
Jesus considers us His family now, and nothing is more impactful than the point he made in verse 33. <3
Day 15
- Read Luke 1:67-80
- Purchase a Nativity sticker set and add one sticker each day until Christmas
- Donate on Go Fund Me
- Donate old toys to a family center
- Watch Rudolph or How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
27 Jesus said to them, “Listen. No one is able to break into a mighty man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers the mighty man and ties him up. Then his entire house can be plundered and his possessions taken. 28 I tell you this timeless truth: All sin will be forgiven, even all the blasphemies they speak. 29 But there can never be forgiveness for the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, for he is guilty of an eternal sin!” 30 (This is because they said he was empowered by a demon spirit.)
31 Then Jesus’ mother and his brothers came and stood outside and sent a message to him, asking that he come out and speak with them. 32 When the crowd sitting around Jesus heard this, they spoke up, and said to him, “Jesus, your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 He answered them saying, “Who is my true mother and my true brothers?” 34 Then looking in the eyes of those who were sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my true family members. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother!”
Terrie's Comments:
Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is giving credit elsewhere when the Holy Spirit is moving or blaming the Holy Spirit for something that He isn't responsible for doing.
We are to praise God when Praise is due Him and not make the same mistake that was made in this passage. The religious scholars were accusing Jesus of working under the authority of the devil because they didn't understand the authority he had.
Do we sometimes see miracles or the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and come to the same conclusion that was made here? Do we embrace the working of the Holy Spirit or do we question it reluctant to believe that it is from God?
Tori's Comments:
Jesus considers us His family now, and nothing is more impactful than the point he made in verse 33. <3
Day 15
- Read Luke 1:67-80
- Purchase a Nativity sticker set and add one sticker each day until Christmas
- Donate on Go Fund Me
- Donate old toys to a family center
- Watch Rudolph or How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Day 9 - Mark 3:13-21
13 Afterward, Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to himself the men he wanted to be his close companions, so they went up the mountainside to join him. 14 He appointed the Twelve, whom he named apostles. He wanted them to be continually at his side as his friends, and so that he could send them out to preach 15 and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons.
16 He appointed his Twelve and gave Simon the nickname Peter the Rock. 17 And he gave the brothers, Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee, the nickname Benay-Regah, which means “passionate sons.” 18 The others were Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Jacob the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Nationalist, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
20 Then Jesus went home, but once again a large crowd gathered around him, which prevented him from even eating a meal. 21 When his own family heard that he was there, they went out to seize him, for they said, “He’s insane!”
Tori's Comments:
With the amount of times Jesus's "quiet time" was interrupted, I probably would have went crazy. But that probably says more about the state of my heart during "quiet time" than I would prefer.
Terrie's Comments:
Even Jesus gave some of his close friends nick names. I think that is really neat!
Day 14
- Read Luke 1:57-66
- Make and use a Jesse tree during Advent
- Bake cookies for police and fire fighters
- Learn how other countries celebrate Christmas
- Write letters to family you won't see this Christmas
- At a holiday event, indulge in your one favorite food
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
16 He appointed his Twelve and gave Simon the nickname Peter the Rock. 17 And he gave the brothers, Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee, the nickname Benay-Regah, which means “passionate sons.” 18 The others were Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Jacob the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Nationalist, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
20 Then Jesus went home, but once again a large crowd gathered around him, which prevented him from even eating a meal. 21 When his own family heard that he was there, they went out to seize him, for they said, “He’s insane!”
Tori's Comments:
With the amount of times Jesus's "quiet time" was interrupted, I probably would have went crazy. But that probably says more about the state of my heart during "quiet time" than I would prefer.
Terrie's Comments:
Even Jesus gave some of his close friends nick names. I think that is really neat!
Day 14
- Read Luke 1:57-66
- Make and use a Jesse tree during Advent
- Bake cookies for police and fire fighters
- Learn how other countries celebrate Christmas
- Write letters to family you won't see this Christmas
- At a holiday event, indulge in your one favorite food
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Day 8 - Mark 3:1-12
1 Then Jesus left them and went again into the synagogue, where he encountered a man who had an atrophied, paralyzed hand. 2 Everyone was watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath, giving them a reason to accuse him of breaking Sabbath rules.
3 Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stand here in the middle of the room.”
4 Then he turned to all those gathered there and said, “Which is it? Is it against the law to do evil on the Sabbath or to do good? To destroy a life or to save one?” But no one answered him a word.
5 Then looking around at everyone, Jesus was moved with indignation and grieved by the hardness of their hearts and said to the man, “Now stretch out your hand!” As he stretched out his hand, it was instantly healed!
6 After this happened, the Pharisees left abruptly and began to plot together with the friends and supporters of Herod Antipas on how they would kill Jesus.
7 Once again Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, but a massive crowd of people followed him from all around the provinces of Galilee and southern Israel. 8 Vast crowds came from Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and from Lebanon. Large numbers of people swarmed in from everywhere when they heard of him and his wonderful works.
9 The crowd pressed so closely to Jesus that he instructed his disciples to bring him a small boat to get into and keep from being crushed by the crowd. 10 For he had healed so many that the sick kept pushing forward just so they could touch Jesus. 11 And whenever a demon saw him, it would throw the person down at Jesus’ feet, screaming out, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus would silence the demons and sternly order them not to reveal who he was.
Terrie's Comments:
There are so many things that stand out about today's passage. One I will touch on is "the sick kept pushing forward just so they could touch Jesus". When I am sick or have trouble the place that I should be pushing towards Jesus himself. What is my first reaction to things in my life? Do I try to solve the problem myself or seek to touch Jesus first? He is our answer no matter what our question or problem is.
Tori's Comments:
They had grown so focused on following the law they forgot who God was.... compassionate, slow to anger... LOVE.
Day 13
- Read Luke 1:46-56
- Read a chapter of Jotham's Journey each day of Advent
- Send a handwritten letter
- Christmas Song Dance Party!
- Go see local production of The Nutcracker or The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stand here in the middle of the room.”
4 Then he turned to all those gathered there and said, “Which is it? Is it against the law to do evil on the Sabbath or to do good? To destroy a life or to save one?” But no one answered him a word.
5 Then looking around at everyone, Jesus was moved with indignation and grieved by the hardness of their hearts and said to the man, “Now stretch out your hand!” As he stretched out his hand, it was instantly healed!
6 After this happened, the Pharisees left abruptly and began to plot together with the friends and supporters of Herod Antipas on how they would kill Jesus.
7 Once again Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, but a massive crowd of people followed him from all around the provinces of Galilee and southern Israel. 8 Vast crowds came from Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and from Lebanon. Large numbers of people swarmed in from everywhere when they heard of him and his wonderful works.
9 The crowd pressed so closely to Jesus that he instructed his disciples to bring him a small boat to get into and keep from being crushed by the crowd. 10 For he had healed so many that the sick kept pushing forward just so they could touch Jesus. 11 And whenever a demon saw him, it would throw the person down at Jesus’ feet, screaming out, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus would silence the demons and sternly order them not to reveal who he was.
Terrie's Comments:
There are so many things that stand out about today's passage. One I will touch on is "the sick kept pushing forward just so they could touch Jesus". When I am sick or have trouble the place that I should be pushing towards Jesus himself. What is my first reaction to things in my life? Do I try to solve the problem myself or seek to touch Jesus first? He is our answer no matter what our question or problem is.
Tori's Comments:
They had grown so focused on following the law they forgot who God was.... compassionate, slow to anger... LOVE.
Day 13
- Read Luke 1:46-56
- Read a chapter of Jotham's Journey each day of Advent
- Send a handwritten letter
- Christmas Song Dance Party!
- Go see local production of The Nutcracker or The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Day 7 - Mark 2:23-28
23 One Saturday, on the day of rest, Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field of wheat. The disciples were hungry, so they plucked off some heads of grain to eat. 24 But when some of the Pharisees saw what was happening, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples shouldn’t be harvesting grain on the Sabbath!”
25 Jesus responded, “Haven’t you ever read what King David and his men did when they were hungry? 26 They entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the sacred bread of God’s presence. They violated the law by eating bread that only the priests were allowed to eat. But there is one here who is even greater than the temple.”
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for the sake of people, and not people for the Sabbath. 28 For this reason the Son of Man exercises his lordship over the Sabbath.”
Tori's Comments:
The new covenant has changed everything! We follow the Spirit now :)
Terrie's Comments:
Romans 8:4
So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!
Romans 8:14-15
14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. 15 And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!”
The requirements of the Sabbath always point out what we are doing or not doing that contradicts what we are "supposed" to do. Man was not made to follow the rule of the Sabbath. We are made to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and live through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. When we are Law focused it leads us to sin more...
Romans 7:5-6 confirms this ... 5 When we were merely living natural lives, the law, through defining sin, actually awakened sinful desires within us, which resulted in bearing the fruit of death. 6 But now that we have been fully released from the power of the law, we are dead to what once controlled us. And our lives are no longer motivated by the obsolete way of following the written code, so that now we may serve God by living in the freshness of a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Day 12
- Read Luke 1:39-45
- Make an Advent calendar; instead of candy, insert papers with ways you can serve someone else that day.
- volunteer at a shelter
- Take photos in the snow
- make a gift for kids' teachers
- Try an ounce of nuts each day for some healthy oils.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
25 Jesus responded, “Haven’t you ever read what King David and his men did when they were hungry? 26 They entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the sacred bread of God’s presence. They violated the law by eating bread that only the priests were allowed to eat. But there is one here who is even greater than the temple.”
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for the sake of people, and not people for the Sabbath. 28 For this reason the Son of Man exercises his lordship over the Sabbath.”
Tori's Comments:
The new covenant has changed everything! We follow the Spirit now :)
Terrie's Comments:
Romans 8:4
So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!
Romans 8:14-15
14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. 15 And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!”
The requirements of the Sabbath always point out what we are doing or not doing that contradicts what we are "supposed" to do. Man was not made to follow the rule of the Sabbath. We are made to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and live through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. When we are Law focused it leads us to sin more...
Romans 7:5-6 confirms this ... 5 When we were merely living natural lives, the law, through defining sin, actually awakened sinful desires within us, which resulted in bearing the fruit of death. 6 But now that we have been fully released from the power of the law, we are dead to what once controlled us. And our lives are no longer motivated by the obsolete way of following the written code, so that now we may serve God by living in the freshness of a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Day 12
- Read Luke 1:39-45
- Make an Advent calendar; instead of candy, insert papers with ways you can serve someone else that day.
- volunteer at a shelter
- Take photos in the snow
- make a gift for kids' teachers
- Try an ounce of nuts each day for some healthy oils.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, December 11, 2017
Day 6 - Mark 2:13-22
13 Jesus went out to walk near Lake Galilee, and a massive crowed gathered, so he taught them. 14 As he walked along, he found Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth, collecting taxes. He approached him and said, “Come follow me.” Immediately he got up from his booth and began to follow Jesus.
15 Later, Jesus and his disciples went to have a meal with Levi. Among the guests in Levi’s home were many tax collectors and notable sinners sharing a meal with Jesus, for there were many kinds of people who followed him. 16 But when the religious scholars and the Pharisees found out that Jesus was keeping company and dining with sinners and tax collectors, they were indignant. So they approached Jesus’ disciples and said to them, “Why is it that someone like Jesus defiles himself by eating with sinners and tax collectors?”
17 But when Jesus overheard their complaint, he said to them, “Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who are sinners and bring them to repentance.”
18 One time, the disciples of John the Baptizer and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that John’s disciples and disciples of the Pharisees are fasting but your disciples are not?”
19 Jesus answered, “How can the sons of the bridal chamber fast when the bridegroom is next to them? As long as the bridegroom is with them they won’t, 20 but the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom is taken from them.
21 “And who would mend worn-out clothing with new fabric? When the new cloth shrinks, it will rip, making the tear worse than before. 22 And who would pour fresh, new wine into an old wineskin? Eventually the wine will ferment and make the wineskin burst, losing everything—the wine will be spilled and the wineskin ruined. Instead, new wine is always poured into new wineskins.”
Terrie's Comments:
I have always wondered why fasting is followed by a discussion on wine skins. I am thinking though that this is most likely a reference by Jesus to the mixing of Old and New covenant. If you mix old and new the old will ruin the new. You must leave the old behind to benefit from the new.
Tori's Comments:
We are no longer under a covenant where we are constantly "dirtying" ourselves and are in need of a sacrifice over and over again. Jesus's one sacrifice cleanses us to eternity! And now we are to go out as witnesses and preach the gospel to those who would have once dirtied us.
Day 11
- Read Luke 1:26-38
- Watch the Nativity Story together; talk about how it compares to the Biblical account
- Donate to a charity
- Bake cookies for one of your neighbours
- Go pick out a new Christmas book
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
15 Later, Jesus and his disciples went to have a meal with Levi. Among the guests in Levi’s home were many tax collectors and notable sinners sharing a meal with Jesus, for there were many kinds of people who followed him. 16 But when the religious scholars and the Pharisees found out that Jesus was keeping company and dining with sinners and tax collectors, they were indignant. So they approached Jesus’ disciples and said to them, “Why is it that someone like Jesus defiles himself by eating with sinners and tax collectors?”
17 But when Jesus overheard their complaint, he said to them, “Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who are sinners and bring them to repentance.”
18 One time, the disciples of John the Baptizer and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that John’s disciples and disciples of the Pharisees are fasting but your disciples are not?”
19 Jesus answered, “How can the sons of the bridal chamber fast when the bridegroom is next to them? As long as the bridegroom is with them they won’t, 20 but the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom is taken from them.
21 “And who would mend worn-out clothing with new fabric? When the new cloth shrinks, it will rip, making the tear worse than before. 22 And who would pour fresh, new wine into an old wineskin? Eventually the wine will ferment and make the wineskin burst, losing everything—the wine will be spilled and the wineskin ruined. Instead, new wine is always poured into new wineskins.”
Terrie's Comments:
I have always wondered why fasting is followed by a discussion on wine skins. I am thinking though that this is most likely a reference by Jesus to the mixing of Old and New covenant. If you mix old and new the old will ruin the new. You must leave the old behind to benefit from the new.
Tori's Comments:
We are no longer under a covenant where we are constantly "dirtying" ourselves and are in need of a sacrifice over and over again. Jesus's one sacrifice cleanses us to eternity! And now we are to go out as witnesses and preach the gospel to those who would have once dirtied us.
Day 11
- Read Luke 1:26-38
- Watch the Nativity Story together; talk about how it compares to the Biblical account
- Donate to a charity
- Bake cookies for one of your neighbours
- Go pick out a new Christmas book
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Day 5 - Mark 2:1-12
Several days later, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news quickly spread that he was back in town. 2 Soon there were so many people crowded inside the house to hear him that there was no more room, even outside the door.
While Jesus was preaching the word of God, 3 four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man. 4 But when they realized that they couldn’t even get near him because of the crowd, they went up on top of the house and tore away the roof above Jesus’ head. And when they had broken through, they lowered the paralyzed man on a stretcher right down in front of him! 5 When Jesus saw the extent of their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are now forgiven.”
6 This offended some of the religious scholars who were present, and they reasoned among themselves, 7 “Who does he think he is to speak this way? This is blasphemy for sure! Only God himself can forgive sins!”
8 Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts and said to them, “Why are you being so skeptical? 9 Which is easier, to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are now forgiven,’ or, ‘Stand up and walk!’? 10 But to convince you that the Son of Man has been given authority to forgive sins, 11 I say to this man, ‘Stand up, pick up your stretcher, and walk home.’” 12 Immediately the man sprang to his feet in front of everyone and left for home.
When the crowds witnessed this miracle, they were awestruck. They shouted praises to God and said, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Tori's Comments:
Jesus saw the extent of their faith... They could have believed Jesus would heal him, but that it would be too difficult to get to him, and there were so many factors that could have gone wrong. How far would you extend your faith?
Terrie's Comments:
Faith in action... Do I run to Jesus knowing that He is the answer to my problem every time? How far am I willing to go to get to Jesus? Do I remember to stop and lay my situation at Jesus feet before trying to solve the problem myself? At the times in my life when I have decided to try to remember, to give things to God first, before trying to do anything on my own I have seen many answers to prayer and many many miracles. I believe God wants to help us and I believe He is honored when we take things to Him before trying to solve things on our own. When we see Him as our best solution and our #1 go to, rather than our band aid or back up plan.
Day 10
- Read Luke 1:18-25
- Buy or check out Christ-centered Christmas books! wrap and place under the tree to read during Advent
- Pick up Litter
- Make a pine cone bird feeder
- Send a Christmas card to someone
- Make time for family dinners to share your day.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
While Jesus was preaching the word of God, 3 four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man. 4 But when they realized that they couldn’t even get near him because of the crowd, they went up on top of the house and tore away the roof above Jesus’ head. And when they had broken through, they lowered the paralyzed man on a stretcher right down in front of him! 5 When Jesus saw the extent of their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are now forgiven.”
6 This offended some of the religious scholars who were present, and they reasoned among themselves, 7 “Who does he think he is to speak this way? This is blasphemy for sure! Only God himself can forgive sins!”
8 Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts and said to them, “Why are you being so skeptical? 9 Which is easier, to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are now forgiven,’ or, ‘Stand up and walk!’? 10 But to convince you that the Son of Man has been given authority to forgive sins, 11 I say to this man, ‘Stand up, pick up your stretcher, and walk home.’” 12 Immediately the man sprang to his feet in front of everyone and left for home.
When the crowds witnessed this miracle, they were awestruck. They shouted praises to God and said, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Tori's Comments:
Jesus saw the extent of their faith... They could have believed Jesus would heal him, but that it would be too difficult to get to him, and there were so many factors that could have gone wrong. How far would you extend your faith?
Terrie's Comments:
Faith in action... Do I run to Jesus knowing that He is the answer to my problem every time? How far am I willing to go to get to Jesus? Do I remember to stop and lay my situation at Jesus feet before trying to solve the problem myself? At the times in my life when I have decided to try to remember, to give things to God first, before trying to do anything on my own I have seen many answers to prayer and many many miracles. I believe God wants to help us and I believe He is honored when we take things to Him before trying to solve things on our own. When we see Him as our best solution and our #1 go to, rather than our band aid or back up plan.
Day 10
- Read Luke 1:18-25
- Buy or check out Christ-centered Christmas books! wrap and place under the tree to read during Advent
- Pick up Litter
- Make a pine cone bird feeder
- Send a Christmas card to someone
- Make time for family dinners to share your day.
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Day 4 - Mark 1:35-45
35 The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer. 36 Later, Simon and his friends searched for him, 37 and when they finally tracked him down, they told him, “Everyone is looking for you—they want you!”
38 Jesus replied, “We have to go on to the surrounding villages so that I can give my message to the people there, for that is my mission.” 39 So he went throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the Jewish synagogues and casting out demons.
40 On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!” 42 Instantly his leprous sores completely disappeared and his skin became smooth! 43 Jesus sent him away with a very stern warning, 44 saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone about what just happened, but go find a priest and show him that you’ve been healed. Then bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a living testimony to everyone.”
45 But no sooner did the man leave than he began to proclaim his healing publicly and spread the story everywhere of his healing.
Jesus’ growing fame prevented him from entering the villages openly, which forced him to remain in isolated places. Even so, a steady stream of people flocked to him from everywhere.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus saw devoting time to pray important. He got up long before anyone else did and then left the house and went away to pray. If we are hoping to live in victory and be effective in ministry we need to see prayer time as important and essential! Where is prayer on my priority list? Would I get up long before day break to make time for prayer so I am in tune with what my marching orders are for the day?
Tori's Comments:
I used to really struggle with the concept of a "quiet time" because I didn't really understand what it should look like. Jesus considered it to be essential, and for him it meant going to a secluded place, I think some places say on a mountain, and praying to God! While mountains are a bit hard to find in Saskatchewan [:)], it simply means getting alone with God!
Day 9
- Read Luke 1:1-17
- Make a countdown poster with shepherds, adding a cotton ball sheep each day.
- Donate used books
- Buy socks for a homeless shelter
- Wrap presents and place them under the tree
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
38 Jesus replied, “We have to go on to the surrounding villages so that I can give my message to the people there, for that is my mission.” 39 So he went throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the Jewish synagogues and casting out demons.
40 On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!” 42 Instantly his leprous sores completely disappeared and his skin became smooth! 43 Jesus sent him away with a very stern warning, 44 saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone about what just happened, but go find a priest and show him that you’ve been healed. Then bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a living testimony to everyone.”
45 But no sooner did the man leave than he began to proclaim his healing publicly and spread the story everywhere of his healing.
Jesus’ growing fame prevented him from entering the villages openly, which forced him to remain in isolated places. Even so, a steady stream of people flocked to him from everywhere.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus saw devoting time to pray important. He got up long before anyone else did and then left the house and went away to pray. If we are hoping to live in victory and be effective in ministry we need to see prayer time as important and essential! Where is prayer on my priority list? Would I get up long before day break to make time for prayer so I am in tune with what my marching orders are for the day?
Tori's Comments:
I used to really struggle with the concept of a "quiet time" because I didn't really understand what it should look like. Jesus considered it to be essential, and for him it meant going to a secluded place, I think some places say on a mountain, and praying to God! While mountains are a bit hard to find in Saskatchewan [:)], it simply means getting alone with God!
Day 9
- Read Luke 1:1-17
- Make a countdown poster with shepherds, adding a cotton ball sheep each day.
- Donate used books
- Buy socks for a homeless shelter
- Wrap presents and place them under the tree
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, December 8, 2017
Day 3 - Mark 1:21-34
21 Then Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum, and he immediately started teaching on the Sabbath day in the synagogue. 22 The people were awestruck and overwhelmed by his teaching, because he taught in a way that demonstrated God’s authority, which was quite unlike the religious scholars.
23 Suddenly, during the meeting, a demon-possessed man screamed out, 24 “Hey! Leave us alone! Jesus the victorious, I know who you are. You’re God’s Holy One and you have come to destroy us!”
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Silence! You are bound! Come out of him!”
26 The man’s body shook violently in spasms, and the demon hurled him to the floor until it finally came out of him with a deafening shriek! 27 The crowd was awestruck and unable to stop saying among themselves, “What is this new teaching that comes with such authority? With merely a word he commands demons to come out and they obey him!”
28 So the reports about Jesus spread like wildfire throughout every community in the region of Galilee.
29 Now, as soon as they left the meeting, they went straight to Simon and Andrew’s house, along with Jacob and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was bedridden, sick with a high fever, so the first thing they did was to tell Jesus about her. 31 He walked up to her bedside, gently took her hand, and raised her up! Her fever disappeared and she began to serve them.
32 Later in the day, just after the Sabbath ended at sunset, the people kept bringing to Jesus all who were sick and tormented by demons, 33 until the whole village was crowded around the house. 34 Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. But he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who he really was.
Tori's Comments:
I'm curious about what it means by "demonstrated God's authority", especially if the religious scholars did not even do this!
Wow! Even the demon had to praise God in his words, which is not my first thought. And Jesus has power over even what they say, over all, so whom shall we fear?
Terrie's Comments:
I love your comments on this Tori! I usually try to comment before reading your comments but I peaked :-) Jesus not only has all authority but he has given his followers that authority in His name to carry out his will in our lives.
Day 8
- Read Isaiah 40:1-11
- Attend a Christmas Eve Service together
- Leave a friendly note in a library book
- Have a marshmallow fight!
- Do something for a family member or neighbor
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
23 Suddenly, during the meeting, a demon-possessed man screamed out, 24 “Hey! Leave us alone! Jesus the victorious, I know who you are. You’re God’s Holy One and you have come to destroy us!”
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Silence! You are bound! Come out of him!”
26 The man’s body shook violently in spasms, and the demon hurled him to the floor until it finally came out of him with a deafening shriek! 27 The crowd was awestruck and unable to stop saying among themselves, “What is this new teaching that comes with such authority? With merely a word he commands demons to come out and they obey him!”
28 So the reports about Jesus spread like wildfire throughout every community in the region of Galilee.
29 Now, as soon as they left the meeting, they went straight to Simon and Andrew’s house, along with Jacob and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was bedridden, sick with a high fever, so the first thing they did was to tell Jesus about her. 31 He walked up to her bedside, gently took her hand, and raised her up! Her fever disappeared and she began to serve them.
32 Later in the day, just after the Sabbath ended at sunset, the people kept bringing to Jesus all who were sick and tormented by demons, 33 until the whole village was crowded around the house. 34 Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. But he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who he really was.
Tori's Comments:
I'm curious about what it means by "demonstrated God's authority", especially if the religious scholars did not even do this!
Wow! Even the demon had to praise God in his words, which is not my first thought. And Jesus has power over even what they say, over all, so whom shall we fear?
Terrie's Comments:
I love your comments on this Tori! I usually try to comment before reading your comments but I peaked :-) Jesus not only has all authority but he has given his followers that authority in His name to carry out his will in our lives.
Day 8
- Read Isaiah 40:1-11
- Attend a Christmas Eve Service together
- Leave a friendly note in a library book
- Have a marshmallow fight!
- Do something for a family member or neighbor
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Day 2 - Mark 1:12-20
12 Immediately after this he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into an uninhabited desert region. 13 He remained there in the wilderness for forty days, enduring the ordeals of Satan’s tests. He encountered wild animals, but also angels who appeared and ministered to his needs.
14 Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of God’s kingdom realm. 15 His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”
16 As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he noticed two brothers fishing: Simon and Andrew. He watched them as they were casting their nets into the sea 17 and said to them, “Come follow me and I will transform you into men who catch people instead of fish!” 18 Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus. 19 Walking a little farther, Jesus found two other brothers sitting in a boat, along with their father, mending their nets. Their names were Jacob and John, and their father Zebedee. 20 Jesus immediately walked up to them and invited the two brothers to become his followers. At once, Jacob and John dropped their nets, stood up, left their father in the boat with the hired men, and followed Jesus.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus was compelled by the Holy Spirit... The Holy Spirit compells us to listen to His voice but He will not force us to do anything. It is always up to us to listen and choose to follow His instructions.
Even though Jesus was tempted and encountered wild animals angels were sent to minister to his needs. In Hebrews it tells us that Angels are sent to minister to those who are believers!
Tori's Comments:
If the Holy Spirit told us to go into the desert for no reason obvious to us, or to me specifically, I think I would've immediately dismissed the idea without God's grace! Learning to follow the Spirit has been a change :)
"Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus" There's something so powerful in how Mark writes this passage, and how it emphasizes Jesus's worthiness.
Day 7 -
- Read Romans 5:1
- Make and advent wreath. Light it each night together and read the Bible.
- Give a compliment
- Make your own ornaments
- Build a gingerbread house
- Did you know cranberries are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
14 Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of God’s kingdom realm. 15 His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”
16 As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he noticed two brothers fishing: Simon and Andrew. He watched them as they were casting their nets into the sea 17 and said to them, “Come follow me and I will transform you into men who catch people instead of fish!” 18 Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus. 19 Walking a little farther, Jesus found two other brothers sitting in a boat, along with their father, mending their nets. Their names were Jacob and John, and their father Zebedee. 20 Jesus immediately walked up to them and invited the two brothers to become his followers. At once, Jacob and John dropped their nets, stood up, left their father in the boat with the hired men, and followed Jesus.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus was compelled by the Holy Spirit... The Holy Spirit compells us to listen to His voice but He will not force us to do anything. It is always up to us to listen and choose to follow His instructions.
Even though Jesus was tempted and encountered wild animals angels were sent to minister to his needs. In Hebrews it tells us that Angels are sent to minister to those who are believers!
Tori's Comments:
If the Holy Spirit told us to go into the desert for no reason obvious to us, or to me specifically, I think I would've immediately dismissed the idea without God's grace! Learning to follow the Spirit has been a change :)
"Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus" There's something so powerful in how Mark writes this passage, and how it emphasizes Jesus's worthiness.
Day 7 -
- Read Romans 5:1
- Make and advent wreath. Light it each night together and read the Bible.
- Give a compliment
- Make your own ornaments
- Build a gingerbread house
- Did you know cranberries are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Day 1 - Marking Up Our Bibles with Mark! - Mark 1:1-11
We have decided that for the book of Mark we will be taking our Bible reading out of The Passion Translation.
1 This is the beginning of the wonderful news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2 It starts with Isaiah the prophet, who wrote:
Listen! I am sending my messenger ahead of you
and he will prepare your way!
3 He is a thunderous voice of one
who shouts in the wilderness:
“Prepare your hearts
for the coming of the Lord Yahweh,
and clear a straight path
inside your hearts for him!”
4 John the Baptizer was the messenger who appeared in an uninhabited region, preaching a baptism of repentance for the complete cancellation of sins. 5 A steady stream of people came to be dipped in the Jordan River as they publicly confessed their sins. They came from all over southern Israel, including nearly all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 6 John wore a rough garment made from camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist,and he ate locusts and honey of the wilderness. 7 And this is the message he kept preaching: “There is a man coming after me who is greater and a lot more powerful than I am. I’m not even worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I’ve baptized you into water, but he will baptize you into the Spirit of Holiness!”
9 One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth and had John immerse him in the Jordan River. 10 The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him. 11 At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying:
“You are my Son, my cherished one,
and my greatest delight is in you!”
Tori's Comments:
Although Mark doesn't really mention Jesus's birth, I am still very happy that this is what we'll be going through this Christmas season! Even in the first chapter, it emphasizes the "wonderful news". As you begin decorating the house and getting into the Christmas spirit, feel free to open up Christ Capp's Christmas playlist on youtube to hear classic Christmas songs that encourage and remind us of what Jesus has done for us!
Terrie's Comments:
"The beginning of the WONDERFUL NEWS"... As we are celebrating Christmas this month it is a time when we think about the beginning of the life of Jesus Christ here on earth. Right from the beginning it was declared that he would cancel our sins! That is great news for all of humankind!
Day 6
- Read Acts 5:31
- Instead of a gingerbread house, create an edible nativity
- Pay for someone's meal
- Watch a favorite Christmas movie
- Take family photos
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
1 This is the beginning of the wonderful news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2 It starts with Isaiah the prophet, who wrote:
Listen! I am sending my messenger ahead of you
and he will prepare your way!
3 He is a thunderous voice of one
who shouts in the wilderness:
“Prepare your hearts
for the coming of the Lord Yahweh,
and clear a straight path
inside your hearts for him!”
4 John the Baptizer was the messenger who appeared in an uninhabited region, preaching a baptism of repentance for the complete cancellation of sins. 5 A steady stream of people came to be dipped in the Jordan River as they publicly confessed their sins. They came from all over southern Israel, including nearly all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 6 John wore a rough garment made from camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist,and he ate locusts and honey of the wilderness. 7 And this is the message he kept preaching: “There is a man coming after me who is greater and a lot more powerful than I am. I’m not even worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I’ve baptized you into water, but he will baptize you into the Spirit of Holiness!”
9 One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth and had John immerse him in the Jordan River. 10 The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him. 11 At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying:
“You are my Son, my cherished one,
and my greatest delight is in you!”
Tori's Comments:
Although Mark doesn't really mention Jesus's birth, I am still very happy that this is what we'll be going through this Christmas season! Even in the first chapter, it emphasizes the "wonderful news". As you begin decorating the house and getting into the Christmas spirit, feel free to open up Christ Capp's Christmas playlist on youtube to hear classic Christmas songs that encourage and remind us of what Jesus has done for us!
Terrie's Comments:
"The beginning of the WONDERFUL NEWS"... As we are celebrating Christmas this month it is a time when we think about the beginning of the life of Jesus Christ here on earth. Right from the beginning it was declared that he would cancel our sins! That is great news for all of humankind!
Day 6
- Read Acts 5:31
- Instead of a gingerbread house, create an edible nativity
- Pay for someone's meal
- Watch a favorite Christmas movie
- Take family photos
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Day 96 - Matthew 28:11-20
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Terrie's Comments:
How much money did it take to not talk about such a miraculous event? How can you ignore an earthquake, a visit from an angel and seeing the empty tomb that had been guarded so carefully to protect against lies.... kind of ironic that the tomb was guarded to protect against lies and then lies were made up about it to cover up the fact that no human could stop Jesus from raising from the dead.
Tori's Comments:
How did the leading priests continue in their way, blind to the truth, after this?
Day 5
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- Make a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas with a verse on each link.
- Hold the door open for someone
- Make hot chocolate as a family
- what a Christmas show or movie as a family
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Terrie's Comments:
How much money did it take to not talk about such a miraculous event? How can you ignore an earthquake, a visit from an angel and seeing the empty tomb that had been guarded so carefully to protect against lies.... kind of ironic that the tomb was guarded to protect against lies and then lies were made up about it to cover up the fact that no human could stop Jesus from raising from the dead.
Tori's Comments:
How did the leading priests continue in their way, blind to the truth, after this?
Day 5
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- Make a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas with a verse on each link.
- Hold the door open for someone
- Make hot chocolate as a family
- what a Christmas show or movie as a family
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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