“”Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did Hie get all this wisdom and power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And HIs sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe Him.
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in His own hometown and among His relatives and His own family.” And because of their unbelief, He couldn’t do any miracles among them except place His hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their unbelief.”” (Mark 6: vv 1-6, NLT)
Category: Scripture
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
“”One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon He and His disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When His family heard what was happening, they tried to take Him away, “He’s out of His mind,” they said.
But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where He gets the power to cast out demons.”
Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration,” How can Satan cast out Satan?” He asked. “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family slandered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is divided and fights agains himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. Let Me illustrate further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger- someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. “
“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.” ” (Mark 3: vv 20-30, NLT)
Excerpts from Proverbs Chapter 12
“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
The Lord approves of those who are good, but He condemns those who plan wickedness.
Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
The plans of the godly are just; the advise of the wicket is treacherous.
The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly stands firm.
A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. “
(vv. 1-8, NLT)
“The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.”
Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tell lies.
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.
The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
The godly give good advise to their friends; the wicked lead them astray .”
(vv. 13-26,NLT)
“The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.”
(vv. 28, NLT)
Jesus Calms the Storm
“”As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon fierce storm came up. High waves were leaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then the He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other, “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”” (Mark 4: vv35-38 NLT)
The Whole Armor of God
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against might powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. (Apostle Paul speaking). Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good news is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, and still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. so pray that I would keep on speaking boldly for Him, as I should. ” (Ephesians 6: vv. 10-20, NLT)
“Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and my God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love and faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 6: 23, NLT)
Life in the Spirit
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (Romans 8: vv 1-2, NLT)
“And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit give you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God , who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. Fo if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him ‘Abba Father’. For His Spirit joins our spirit to affirm that we are His children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.” (Romans 8:vv.10-17 NLT)
Jesus Foretells the Future, Part IV
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“”Two men will be working together the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be finding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit. his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”” (Matthew 24: vv. 40-51, NLT)
Jesus Foretells the Future, Part III
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“”Immediately after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. An He will send out His angels with the night blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones friom all over the world – from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you know know His return is very near, right at the door.
I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass form the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear.
However, no on knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows.
When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”” (Matthew 24: v. 29-39, NLT)
Jesus Foretells The Future, Part II
“”The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke bout – the sacrilegious object that causes desecration string in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)
“Then those in Judea must fly to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field mustn’t return to even get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter on on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.”
“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or “There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have waned you about this ahead of time.”
“So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the deserts, ‘don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look he is hiding here, ‘ do’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the time is near.”” (Matthew 24: vv. 15-28, NLT)
Jesus Foretells the Future, Part 1
“”Later Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to Him privately and said, :”Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the world?”
Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end on’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is one the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”
“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will decieve many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the wold, so that all nations will hear it; and the end will come.” (Matthew 24: vv 1-14, NLT)