At Christmas time, people are searching for peace in all the wrong places. Christ has come not to bring us peace but to be our peace. Micah 5:1-5 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us;with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among …
Jesus never categorized any sins as acceptable in the life of His followers. Playing with sin has severe repercussions for our lives and great consequences for those closest to us. Mark 9:42-50 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck …
As Jesus proceeded towards the cross, the disciples argued about who was the greatest and about who should be included. Â Until we address our pride, we will always see everyone else as the problem. Mark 9:30-41 30Â They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31Â for he was teaching his disciples, saying …
When a man brought his son to Jesus for deliverance, he uttered three words that should never be used to address the Christ. Â When we approach Jesus in our need, He deserves complete faith in His ability. Mark 9:14-29 14Â And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15Â And immediately …
Jesus taught His disciples regarding the incompatible nature of following Him halfway. As He still calls us today, He is expecting us to abandon all this world has to offer for the greater treasure of knowing Him. Mark 8:34-9:1 34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him …
While opinions of Jesus were rampant and varied, He desired to know whom His disciples believed Him to be.  Peter’s initial response and subsequent reaction reveal our own desire to edit God when He doesn’t meet our expectations. Mark 8:27-33 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his …
As believers, we are called to be people committed to the Bible. Â If we want to grow in the Word, we must be devoted to the Word. Ezra 7:6-10 6Â this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all …
For a second time, Jesus leads a faithless group of disciples to help feed a great crowd of hungry people. Failing to remember Jesus’ power in the past can cause us to question His ability in the present for our physical and spiritual needs. Mark 8:1-26 8 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing …
Jesus broke the status quo as He ministered to those who were on the fringes of society. Through His example, Jesus reminds us that no one is beyond deliverance. Mark 7:24-37 24Â And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he …
The legalists of Jesus’ day appeared godly on the outside but were actually ungodly on the inside. Jesus taught the importance of addressing one’s heart which is the root cause for all of our actions. Mark 7:14-23 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside …