The mission of Jesus was to become King of Israel, however, the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and their determination to remove Jesus through death (to rid Israel of this troublemaker); put an end to the plan and will of God. Read the gospels again and count the times instruction from Jesus was rejected. Many corrections were refused outright. Jesus observed their traditions were used to the make the will of God of no effect. A a moment of honest sobriety will reveal the conviction and need for change. We must also repent and become obedient children. Ready to be instructed by the Spirit of God from day to day. We must be born again. ***98: Jesus Rebukes The Scribes And PhariseesMatthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47Jesus Rebukes The Scribes And PhariseesThen Jesus spoke to the people that were assembled and to his disciples saying:Pride            “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in Heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Various Sins            “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer. Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, 'Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.’Ye fools and blind, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, ‘Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.’ Ye fools and blind, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by Heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse...

Instruction from Jesus is not a promise-box verse. You are not allowed to make another selection until you find one that pleases you. Our God is not ink on a page. Our God is ALIVE. Embrace the words of love and correction by Jesus.Jesus was persecuted by the Church because He obeyed His Father. When we imitate Jesus, we will also be persecuted. Jesus preached, "Repent! [Change] to the Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus wanted them to be acceptable. Jesus wants the same for us. Changes are required to follow Jesus. Purge what other people think from your conscience. The peer pressure (or leaven) in our lives can make a permanent separation between us and our God. Will you accept instruction and correction from your Lord and Savior? ***98: Jesus Rebukes The Scribes And PhariseesMatthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47Jesus Rebukes The Scribes And PhariseesThen Jesus spoke to the people that were assembled and to his disciples saying:Pride            “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in Heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Various Sins            “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer. Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, 'Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.’Ye fools and blind, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, ‘Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.’ Ye fools and blind, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by Heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the

Jesus came as a man without the understanding of the condition of mankind. The separation between Adam and Eve and God went further than they knew. Consider how often Jesus asked questions to discern the thoughts of the leadership and the people of Israel. Don't allow your doctrines to create separations. Work things out with one another. ***97: Jesus Asks: “What Think Ye Of Christ?”Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44Jesus Asks: “What Think Ye Of Christ?”At a time when many Pharisees were gathered around him, Jesus asked them:            “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?”            The Pharisees replied:            “The son of David.”            Then Jesus replied:            “How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said unto my Lord, “Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool.”’ David therefore calleth him Lord. How is he then his son?”            The people heard Jesus gladly, but no one was able to answer the question.

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” Acts 24:14We have lost words, many pages and books in the Bible. It's okay. The Scriptures are not complete or perfect. This is not a deterrent to finding a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus said, if you keep my commandments, the Father (Holy Spirit) and I will teach you "from the inside." Greatest commandment, "Shema, Israel." "Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength; the second is like unto it, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I'm the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God of the Living not the Dead. Silenced; not convinced. ***96: Jesus Is Asked Three QuestionsMatthew 22:15-40; Mark 12:13-34, Luke 20:20-40Shall We Pay Tribute To Caesar?The chief priests, scribes, and elders sent spies into the multitude that gathered around Jesus, hoping that he might do or say something that would enable them to turn him over to the civil authorities.            These opponents of Jesus asked him, saying:            “Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”            Jesus perceived the craftiness behind the question. He said:            “Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it.”            When it was brought, he said to his tempters:            “Whose is this image and superscription?”            His opponents said:            “Caesar’s.”            Thereupon Jesus said to them:            “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”            Jesus’ enemies could find nothing in this answer that warranted accusing him; so they went away.Which Of The Brothers Shall Have The Wife In The Resurrection?            Some Sadducees, a sect that denied that there was a resurrection, came to Jesus and said to him:            “Master, Moses wrote unto us, ‘If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.’ There were therefore seven brethren, and the first took a wife and died without children. And the second took her to wife and he died childless.And the third took her and, in like manner, the seven also. And they left no children and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she, for seven had her to wife?”            Jesus replied to them:            “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?For when they shall rise from the dead, they...

The expectation of Jesus was thwarted by the will of man. Jesus expected to be accepted by His people. His Father God also expected Jesus would become the King and Priest to His people. Things changed. The leadership was unwilling to accept the authority and leadership of Jesus. They were happy with the way things were "in the church". They desired a Messiah to overthrow Rome and to endorse their religion. Problem. Jesus came to correct the leadership. The Pharisees said, "We know you came from God because you don't care what people think of you." Jesus was leaven-free! Throughout the gospel story you read "what sayeth thou?" They expected Jesus to be different. ***96: Jesus Is Asked Three QuestionsMatthew 22:15-40; Mark 12:13-34, Luke 20:20-40Shall We Pay Tribute To Caesar?The chief priests, scribes, and elders sent spies into the multitude that gathered around Jesus, hoping that he might do or say something that would enable them to turn him over to the civil authorities.            These opponents of Jesus asked him, saying:            “Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”            Jesus perceived the craftiness behind the question. He said:            “Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it.”            When it was brought, he said to his tempters:            “Whose is this image and superscription?”            His opponents said:            “Caesar’s.”            Thereupon Jesus said to them:            “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”            Jesus’ enemies could find nothing in this answer that warranted accusing him; so they went away.Which Of The Brothers Shall Have The Wife In The Resurrection?            Some Sadducees, a sect that denied that there was a resurrection, came to Jesus and said to him:            “Master, Moses wrote unto us, ‘If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.’ There were therefore seven brethren, and the first took a wife and died without children. And the second took her to wife and he died childless.And the third took her and, in like manner, the seven also. And they left no children and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she, for seven had her to wife?”            Jesus replied to them:            “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in Heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise, have ye not read in the book of...

Salvation cannot be bought, at the same time, it is not free. Accepting Jesus brings responsibilities. Correction by Jesus (his authority) was rejected by the leadership, even as it is to this day. The leaders understood Jesus expectation and realized the identity of the Son of God. The mistake of their rejection did not lead to the path of humility and repentance - falling on the rock. Rather, they sought to destroy the son of the Lord of the vineyard. Jesus did not back down. They understood the message. They rejected their LORD.***95: Jesus Tells Three Parables of WarningMatthew 21:28-22:14; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 The Two SonsRefusing to tell the chief priests, scribes, and elders the source of his authority, Jesus told a parable to his questioners, saying:            “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ and went not. Which of the two did the will of his father?”            The chief priests, scribes, and elders answered Jesus, saying:            “The first.”            Jesus replied:            “Verily I say unto you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” The Vineyard And The Husbandmen            Then Jesus told another parable to the chief priests, scribes, and elders, saying:            “Hear another parable: ‘There was a certain householder which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that he might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, “They will reverence my son.” But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.’ When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”            The scribes, chief priests, and elders replied:            “He will miserably destroy the wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”            Jesus said to them:            “Did ye never read in the scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say unto you, ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ And whosoever...

"What think ye?" Jesus came to teach, to correct, and to divide; not for the purpose of division but to create an opening in thought for new information. An answer without context is of no benefit. Jesus looked to the audience to determine their understanding. The church leaders and the political leaders thought they were in charge. They did not expect, nor did they want input to the contrary. Jesus brought heavenly things to a three dimensional world. It's bound to get tricky!***93: Jesus Cleanses The TempleMatthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48When Jesus came to Jerusalem he went into the temple. He began to cast out those who bought and sold therein, overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple. He taught and said:            “It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer,’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.”            The chief priests and scribes, when they saw the wonders Jesus performed, were greatly displeased and sought to destroy him but were afraid of the multitude who listened eagerly to his words.            Then the afflicted came to Jesus in the temple and were healed. The people listened attentively to his doctrines and were astonished at his words and deeds.Children sang in the temple, saying:            “Hosanna to the son of David.”            The words of the children and the crowd angered the authorities, and the chief priests and scribes said to Jesus:            “Hearest what they say?”            Jesus replied to them:            “Yea, have ye never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?’”***94: Jesus Questioned As To His AuthorityMatthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8As Jesus was teaching in the temple, preaching the gospel, the chief priests, scribes, and elders came to him, saying: “Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?” Jesus answered them, saying: “I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From Heaven, or of men?” The chief priests, scribes, and elders reasoned with themselves, saying: “If we shall say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then believed ye him not?’ And if we say, ‘Of men,’ all the people will stone us; for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they said to Jesus that they were unable to say the source of the baptism of John.Thereupon Jesus replied: “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”

We must partner with God in our salvation. The Sower sowed good seed. The faith of the people was hindered by the Jewish leadership. The environment was not receptive to the redemption of Israel by Christ. Being without proof of God we must believe in God by faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." If we refuse the seed of the word of God we will die unfruitful, separated and lost. Believing in God because of proof is not faith. The will of man is stronger than God's will. “...without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6***92: Jesus Condemns A Fig TreeMatthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26The next morning after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples left Bethany, where they had spent the night, to return to the city.            On the way Jesus was hungry. Seeing a fig tree from afar, he went to it expecting to find some fruit. But the tree contained nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for fruit. Jesus said to the tree:             “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever.”            When next they passed the tree, seeing that it was withered from the roots up, Peter said to Jesus:            “Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.”            Jesus replied to him:            “Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, ‘Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea,’ and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any, that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses.”93: Jesus Cleanses The TempleMatthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48When Jesus came to Jerusalem he went into the temple. He began to cast out those who bought and sold therein, overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple. He taught and said:            “It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer,’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.”            The chief priests and scribes, when they saw the wonders Jesus performed, were greatly displeased and sought to destroy him but were afraid of the multitude who listened eagerly to his words.            Then the afflicted came to Jesus in the temple and were healed. The people listened attentively to his doctrines and were astonished at his words and deeds.Children sang in the temple, saying:            “Hosanna to the son of David.”            The words of the children and the crowd angered the authorities, and the chief priests and scribes said to...

Contrary to the tag-lines, God cannot do anything He wants; God does not know everything in advance; and He does not get His will. Adam was given free-will for this gift we judge God. Jesus said it best, "I did not come to condemn the world, the world was condemned already." When we reject the salvation of Jesus we seal our fate. We expect a "hanging judge" forgetting that a judge also has the power to acquit and reward those who strive with God. "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?"  God is trying to save us. We must work with Him in faith and obedience, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."***91: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into JerusalemMatthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19As Jesus led his followers toward Jerusalem and drew near to Bethpage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he called two of his disciples to him and said to them:            “Go your way into the village over against you; and as soon as ye entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, ‘Why do ye this?’ say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”            This was done, that the words of the prophet might be fulfilled:            “Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, thy king cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt .”            At first his disciples did not understand these things but, when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that they had done those things that had been written by the prophet.            The two disciples went as directed by Jesus, and found the colt just as Jesus had told them. They began to untie the colt. The owners of it said to the disciples:            “Why loose ye the colt?”            The disciples replied as Jesus had instructed them, saying:            “The Lord hath need of him.”            Thereupon the owners permitted the disciples to take the ass. When the colt had been brought to Jesus, garments were thrown over and Jesus sat upon it.             Then, as Jesus descended the Mount of Olives, the great multitude spread their garments on the ground over which he would pass. Others cut branches from the trees and strewed the road with them to celebrate his entrance into Jerusalem.The multitude joyously shouted:            “Hosanna; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.”            Some of the Pharisees spoke to Jesus, complaining about the shouting. They said:            “Master, rebuke thy disciples.”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”            Then the Pharisees said among themselves:            “Perceive ye how ye...

"Surely, they will reverence my Son." The people of Israel had prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, yet even as the people accepted by faith the obvious identity of Jesus - he (and His Father) were rejected by the church leaders. This rejection did not allow the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus ministry. We presume that "everything happened according to the will of God." The gospel and the ministry of Jesus Christ required the participation of his people. Prophecies' may be fulfilled in many ways. Jesus always obeyed His Father even if the result directly contradicted the expectation of the religious leaders. ***91: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into JerusalemMatthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19As Jesus led his followers toward Jerusalem and drew near to Bethpage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he called two of his disciples to him and said to them:            “Go your way into the village over against you; and as soon as ye entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, ‘Why do ye this?’ say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”            This was done, that the words of the prophet might be fulfilled:            “Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, thy king cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.”            At first his disciples did not understand these things but, when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that they had done those things that had been written by the prophet.            The two disciples went as directed by Jesus, and found the colt just as Jesus had told them. They began to untie the colt. The owners of it said to the disciples:            “Why loose ye the colt?”            The disciples replied as Jesus had instructed them, saying:            “The Lord hath need of him.”            Thereupon the owners permitted the disciples to take the ass. When the colt had been brought to Jesus, garments were thrown over and Jesus sat upon it.             Then, as Jesus descended the Mount of Olives, the great multitude spread their garments on the ground over which he would pass. Others cut branches from the trees and strewed the road with them to celebrate his entrance into Jerusalem.The multitude joyously shouted:            “Hosanna; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.”            Some of the Pharisees spoke to Jesus, complaining about the shouting. They said:            “Master, rebuke thy disciples.”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”            Then the Pharisees said among themselves:            “Perceive ye how ye prevail...

What we do matters. The consequences of the free will of mankind extends beyond this life. We are required to love, to forgive, to judge righteous judgment. Out of our own mouths comes our judgment. We must act in faith, nothing wavering, as did Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant is the link to the coming of Christ, i.e. the completion of the work. We are required to occupy till our Lord returns. ***89: Jesus Accepted By Zacchaeus, Chief Publican Of JerichoLuke 19:1-10As Jesus and the multitude following him passed through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem, a rich man, Zacchaeus, a leading publican of Jericho, sought to see Jesus. He was unable to get near him because of the vast throng, and he could not see over the heads of the crowd because he was short of stature. Therefore Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree near which Jesus would walk. Jesus looked up, saw Zacchaeus, and said to him:            “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”            Zacchaeus descended and received Jesus with joy.            The multitude murmured that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.            Zacchaeus said to Jesus:             “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”            Jesus answered Zacchaeus, saying:            “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”***90: The Parable Of The TalentsMatthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-28After this Jesus told a parable because he was near to Jerusalem and because many thought that the kingdom of God should appear immediately. He said:            “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, ‘Occupy till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man hath gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.’ And he said unto him, ‘Well, thou good servant. Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.’ And he said likewise to him, ‘Be thou also over five cities.’ And another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man. Thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.’ And he saith unto him, ‘Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?” And he said unto them that stood by, ‘Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.’ For I say unto you that unto everyone which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away

There is persecution, not honor, in Christianity for those who follow Jesus. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. The ambition and hierarchy of the church is an anathema to Christ. One is your Teacher, even Christ. To begin the path to salvation, "Believe Jesus is who He says He is." ***87: Jesus Replies To The Request Of John And JamesMatthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45Two of Jesus’ disciples, John and James, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, saying:            “Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever weshall desire.”            Jesus answered:            “What would ye that I should do for you?”            James and John replied:            “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”            The two disciples replied:            “We can.”            Jesus said to them:            “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”            The other ten disciples were displeased with James and John, because of this request. But Jesus called them all to him and said:            “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”***88: Jesus Heals Blind BartimaeusMatthew 9:27-31, 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43As Jesus and his followers left Jericho, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat at the side of the road, begging.            Hearing the multitude going by, Bartimaeus inquired why the crowd had assembled. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing.            So Bartimaeus raised his voice and cried out:            “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.”            Many rebuked him and told him to keep quiet, but he cried out even louder:             “Thou son of David, have mercy on me.”            Jesus stopped and asked that Bartimaeus be brought to him. The blind man arose from the ground and went toward Jesus when some sympathetic persons had said to him:            “Be of good comfort. Rise. He...

The parables of Jesus reveal the character and nature of His Father. God hired laborers of many nationalities to work in His vineyard. His offer of grace and forgiveness was extended beyond the people of Israel. The mission of Jesus changed because He was rejected by the religious leaders of Israel. The ambiguous language of the Scripture, the reading by Jesus of the scripture in Isaiah was cut short, the people were not willing to accept the authority of Jesus. ***85: Jesus Tells A Story Of Some Workmen In A VineyardMatthew 20:1-16When Jesus had finished his discussion of the difficulties in the path of a rich man entering into the kingdom of God, he told another parable, saying:            “For the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.And said unto them, ‘Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.’ And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, ‘Why stand ye here all the day idle?’ They say unto him, ‘Because no man hath hired us.’ He saith unto them, ‘Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.’So when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, ‘Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.’ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, ‘These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them, and said, ‘Friend, I do thee no wrong. Didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way. I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?’ So the last shall be first, and the first last. For many be called, but few chosen.”86: Jesus Again Predicts His DeathMatthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34As they were on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus went on ahead by himself. His followers, going behind him, were surprised and disappointed at his leaving them. Jesus called his disciples to him and began to tell them the things that would happen to him, saying:            “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again.”            But the disciples did not understand what he was trying to tell them.

Jesus is different than we expect. He is loves, but His love is conditional. He is just, but His justice is based on our actions. He calls many, but not all. Those chosen must remain faithful to the end. We are required to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, to follow Christ. What we do matters! ***84: Jesus Tells Of The Temptation Of RichesMatthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30A MAN came to Jesus and asked:            “Good Master, what shall I do that I may have eternal life?”            Jesus replied:            “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one–that is, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”            The man asked:            “Which?”            Jesus replied:            “Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”            The man said to Jesus:            “All these things I have kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?”            Jesus, looking upon him, loved him and replied:            “One thing thou lackest. Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”            When the man heard that, he went away sadly; for he had very great possessions. Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said:            “Verily I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”            The disciples were astonished at these words. Seeing their surprise, Jesus said to them:            “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”            The astonishment of the disciples was great. They said to one another:            “Who then can be saved?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”            Thereupon Peter said to Jesus:            “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee. What shall we have therefore?”            Jesus replied to him:            “Verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And...

The path to regeneration is to turn from your ways (repent); then, keep the Ten commandments. This act of continuing obedience reveals your belief and opens the door to communication. Communication from the Spirit of God leads to revelation of character flaws and the opportunity to make the changes required for perfection. The guidance we seek is the result of obedience. The move toward salvation is instant; the path to perfection is a progression - repentance, regeneration, endurance, and ultimately, salvation. ***84: Jesus Tells Of The Temptation Of RichesMatthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30A MAN came to Jesus and asked:            “Good Master, what shall I do that I may have eternal life?”            Jesus replied:            “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one–that is, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”            The man asked:            “Which?”            Jesus replied:            “Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”            The man said to Jesus:            “All these things I have kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?”            Jesus, looking upon him, loved him and replied:            “One thing thou lackest. Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”            When the man heard that, he went away sadly; for he had very great possessions. Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said:            “Verily I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”            The disciples were astonished at these words. Seeing their surprise, Jesus said to them:            “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”            The astonishment of the disciples was great. They said to one another:            “Who then can be saved?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”            Thereupon Peter said to Jesus:            “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee. What shall we have therefore?”            Jesus replied to him:           ...

There are many misconceptions on divorce. The law had a provision for a divorce in the case of a maid or representation of a woman to be virginal, it was a matter of contract. Adultery is to be forgiven.Be child-like. Deny yourself. Protect innocence. We need regeneration .***83: Jesus And The Little ChildrenMatthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17Some small children and infants were brought to Jesus and he was asked to bless them. His disciples rebuked those who had brought them.            This displeased Jesus greatly. He said to his disciples:            “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not. For of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, ‘Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.’”            And Jesus took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.***82: Jesus Speaks Concerning DivorceMatthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12Pharisees came to Jesus and asked, testing him:            “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?”       Jesus replied with a question, saying:            “What did Moses command you?”       The Pharisees replied to Jesus, saying:            “Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement and put her away.”       Jesus replied to the Pharisees:            “For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh; so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”            Later, when Jesus was alone with his disciples, they asked him again about the matter of divorce. He replied, saying:            “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”

Jesus did not condemn the Samaritan woman for having multiple husbands. When she understood Jesus was a prophet, she went to a theological question about keeping the feasts. The Pharisees, on the other hand, approached Jesus about the rules for divorce. Jesus moved the issue from marriage to the heart. The nature of mankind is to attempt to keep the letter of the law while avoiding the plain meaning of the Scripture. The goal of Christianity is forgiveness and peace. ***82: Jesus Speaks Concerning DivorceMatthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12Pharisees came to Jesus and asked, testing him:            “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?”       Jesus replied with a question, saying:            “What did Moses command you?”       The Pharisees replied to Jesus, saying:            “Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement and put her away.”       Jesus replied to the Pharisees:            “For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh; so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”            Later, when Jesus was alone with his disciples, they asked him again about the matter of divorce. He replied, saying:            “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”

The end will surely come. The appearance of Jesus will be universal and according to His word. First the tares will be taken, then the wheat. Take heart. Don't forsake prayer. Have faith in the salvation of Jesus and His Father. God is not unjust nor are the righteous forsaken. Don't be discouraged. Lay down your life. Pray to be worthy to stand in the evil day and to stand before the LORD Jesus at the judgment. ***80: The Parable Of The Widow And The JudgeLuke 18:1-8Jesus told a parable to his disciples to this end–that men ought always to pray, and not become discouraged, saying:            “There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, ‘Avenge me of mine adversary.’ And he would not for a while. But afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”            Jesus continued:            “Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though her bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” ***81: The Parable Of The Pharisee And The PublicanLuke 18:9-14Speaking to persons who believed themselves to be righteous, while they despised others, Jesus said:            “Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, ‘God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Do you set aside a daily time that is reserved for communication with the Spirit of God? The prophet Jeremiah records the interest of YHVH in communicating to his people. Listen to YHVH's tender heart, Jeremiah 44:4;“Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.”Rising early. The first thing on the mind of YHVH is his people. His purpose and goal is to raise a people to do His will in the earth. Can you hear him? ***79: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Of The KingdomLuke 17:20-37The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. He answered them, saying:            “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, ‘Lo here!’ or, ‘Lo there!’ for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”            Then Jesus said to his disciples:            “The days will come when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, ‘See here;’ or, ‘See there.’ Go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven, shineth unto the other part under Heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they bundled; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from Heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be on the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away; and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”            The disciples asked:            “Where, Lord?”            Jesus replied:            “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”

The words of Jesus were intentional, exceptional and powerful. Consider the source! Indeed, Jesus healed lepers as a witness to his Jewish brethren. The strangers, Samaritan, Roman centurion, Syrophoenician received the word of God with faith and enthusiasm.  There was a glaring lack of faith of the Jewish brethren toward both John and Jesus. They were looking for a "certain" Messiah and no amount of evidence was able to open the closed eyes of the Priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees. ***78: Jesus Heals Ten LepersLuke 17:11-19Jesus passed through Samaria and Galilee on a journey to Jerusalem. As he came to a village, ten men who were lepers stood off from him and cried out, saying:            “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Go show yourselves unto the priests.”            As they went, they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, when he realized that he was healed, returned to Jesus, fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks and glorifying God in a loud voice.            Jesus, seeing him, asked:            “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”            Then Jesus said to the grateful Samaritan:            “Airse, go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole.” 

Second death - resurrection at the end of the millennium; satan loosed - many follow him; Jesus only hath resurrection; Caiaphas prophesied unknowingly; one should die for the nation; Prophesy is not fortune/ future telling; Prophesy is rather a man speaking to men for God; sins make men unable to hear - ex. David & Nathan. History records that people kill men who speak for God. We can only avoid deception by loving truth; not by memorizing the words of the bible.Repent! Change! The Word of God can come from anyone i.e., a jackass, a drunk, preachers, strangers. Be careful how you hear;***77: Jesus Raises Lazarus From The DeadJohn 11:1-53Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, whose home was in Bethany, was sick. The sisters sent a message to Jesus, saying:            “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”            When the word concerning Lazarus reached Jesus, he said:            “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”            Jesus remained where he was for two days, and at the end of that time said to his disciples:            “Let us go into Judea again.”            His disciples replied:            “Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee. And goest thou thither again?”            Jesus answered his disciples, saying:            “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of the world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”            Then Jesus told his disciples why he wanted to go into Judea, saying:            “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”            The disciples, not knowing that Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, thought only that he was resting in sleep. They said to Jesus:            “Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.”            Then Jesus spoke plainly, saying to them:            “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.”            Thomas, the disciple who was called Didymus, said:            “Let us go, that we may die with him.”            When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he found that Lazarus was dead and had been in his grave four days.            Because Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away, many Jews from that city had come to comfort Martha and Mary. When Martha heard that Jesus was approaching, she went out to meet him while Mary remained at home. She said:            “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that, even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of...

Listen for the message behind the words of the Scripture. Who is speaking and to whom? Abraham received imputed righteousness because of his actions. Why would Jesus apologize for praying in public? Why do we think its fine. Jesus was grieved that his people did not know him. Lazarus was healed to die again - not resurrected. Jesus' crowd had mixed appreciation.Resuscitation of Lazarus was not a resurrection. The writers of Scriptures were intentional. Grace defined as unmerited favor (now the traditional meaning); is not based on Scripture. ***77: Jesus Raises Lazarus From The DeadJohn 11:1-53Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, whose home was in Bethany, was sick. The sisters sent a message to Jesus, saying:            “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”            When the word concerning Lazarus reached Jesus, he said:            “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”            Jesus remained where he was for two days, and at the end of that time said to his disciples:            “Let us go into Judea again.”            His disciples replied:            “Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee. And goest thou thither again?”            Jesus answered his disciples, saying:            “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of the world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”            Then Jesus told his disciples why he wanted to go into Judea, saying:            “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”            The disciples, not knowing that Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, thought only that he was resting in sleep. They said to Jesus:            “Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.”            Then Jesus spoke plainly, saying to them:            “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.”            Thomas, the disciple who was called Didymus, said:            “Let us go, that we may die with him.”            When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he found that Lazarus was dead and had been in his grave four days.            Because Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away, many Jews from that city had come to comfort Martha and Mary. When Martha heard that Jesus was approaching, she went out to meet him while Mary remained at home. She said:            “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that, even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it...

What got Jesus killed? It was the undeniable acts of proof of his identity as the son of God; Messiah. …healing moved from internal medicine; to irrefutable healings; opening blind eyes, raised Lazarus from death after 4 days; Pharisees planed to kill Jesus (and Lazarus); all men will follow him; Lazarus - whom you love; waits two days; 12 hours in the day; Jesus was brave!; have to work for the night comes; Jesus asked questions - He didn't know everything; Jesus listened to the Father; he was as one of us; die, sleep; Spirit goes to God; creation of Adam - man became a living soul; body and breath; Word of God - JESUS; alive and powerful; Dead = sleep; Didymus (twin to Jesus); live and believe in me? - NEVER DIE; Lord, increase our faith. ***77: Jesus Raises Lazarus From The DeadJohn 11:1-53Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, whose home was in Bethany, was sick. The sisters sent a message to Jesus, saying:            “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”            When the word concerning Lazarus reached Jesus, he said:            “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”            Jesus remained where he was for two days, and at the end of that time said to his disciples:            “Let us go into Judea again.”            His disciples replied:            “Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee. And goest thou thither again?”            Jesus answered his disciples, saying:            “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of the world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”            Then Jesus told his disciples why he wanted to go into Judea, saying:            “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”            The disciples, not knowing that Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, thought only that he was resting in sleep. They said to Jesus:            “Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.”            Then Jesus spoke plainly, saying to them:            “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.”            Thomas, the disciple who was called Didymus, said:            “Let us go, that we may die with him.”            When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he found that Lazarus was dead and had been in his grave four days.            Because Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away, many Jews from that city had come to comfort Martha and Mary. When Martha heard that Jesus was approaching, she went out to meet him while Mary remained at home. She...

"Go and learn." The expectation of Christianity is that we imitate our LORD Jesus. We cannot make a gift (or be a profitable servant) when we have not done that which is required. How to HEAR from God: 1) Keep the Commandments;   2) Obey your conscience; 3) Take time daily to LISTEN; If you have twenty minutes with the God of the Universe, who should be still?***76: Jesus Teaches His Disciples Repentance, Faith, and ServiceLuke 17:1-10When Jesus had completed the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, he turned to his disciples and said:         “It is impossible but that offenses will come. But woe unto him through whom they come! It were better for him that  a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, ‘I repent;’ thou shalt forgive him.”         The apostles said to Jesus:            “Increase our faith.”            Jesus replied:            “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, ‘Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea;’ and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, ‘Go and sit down to meat?’ And will not rather say unto him, ‘Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?’ Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow [think] not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do.’”

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) reveal the secret to achieve a happy life and to open the door for communication from God. Matt. 22: 36-39 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."There is a standard of behavior required of Christians. Sin creates an impact on our neighbor, on our relationship with God and on our own life. Strive to enter into the narrow gate. ***76: Jesus Teaches His Disciples Repentance, Faith, and ServiceLuke 17:1-10When Jesus had completed the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, he turned to his disciples and said:         “It is impossible but that offenses will come. But woe unto him through whom they come! It were better for him that  a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, ‘I repent;’ thou shalt forgive him.”         The apostles said to Jesus:            “Increase our faith.”            Jesus replied:            “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, ‘Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea;’ and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, ‘Go and sit down to meat?’ And will not rather say unto him, ‘Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?’ Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow [think] not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do.’”

Listen for the Word of God beyond the obvious story of the parable. The scriptures reveal sin creates distance between God and man. Remember when God tried to speak to the people of Israel? The people were not purified to handle the righteousness of God. In like manner, we must strive for righteousness. Communication is severed if we violate the ten commandments. Strive to obey. Jesus will teach us from the inside - IF - we keep the commandments. ~ Hold the dogma and doctrines of church traditions in an open hand.***75: Jesus Warns In ParablesLuke 16:1-31Jesus told a parable to his disciples, saying:           The Rich Man And Lazarus            When the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard Jesus, they derided him.            So Jesus told a parable to the Pharisees, saying:            “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.            “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things.But now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, ‘I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house, for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham saith unto him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘Nay, father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.’ And he said unto him, ‘If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.’”

The parables go beyond the surface question to the heart of the matter under discussion and end with the immutability of God's law. Things are not the way we think they are; strive to know God. Laws are God's personality on paper - obey God, not creeds. Fear God. Air of humility. Do what you are told to do. We do not know. What we know versus what is to be known reveals we do not know anything. "Think Red Ink" autobiography by Don C. Harris***75: Jesus Warns In ParablesLuke 16:1-31The Unjust StewardJesus told a parable to his disciples, saying:            “There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called unto him, and said unto him, ‘How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.’ Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do?For my lord taketh away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, ‘How much owest thou unto my lord?’And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said unto him, ‘Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ Then said he to another, ‘And how much owest thou?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said unto him,‘Take thy bill, and write fourscore.’ And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, ‘Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.’ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?            “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”The Rich Man And Lazarus            When the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard Jesus, they derided him.            So Jesus told a parable to the Pharisees, saying:            “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.            “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.And it came to...

Salvation requires a commitment. Jesus provides the door and the opportunity for the reversal of our "condemned" sentence. However, we are required to participate in our salvation; to pursue the truth and salvation offered. We are required to leave the crowd and follow Jesus. Consider the conditions in this message. Lost Sheep - stupid, wandered off; focused on personal space; life, neglect; never pursued religion. We are born lost.Lost Coin - one of ten coins; discovery of loss resulted in diligent searching. There are 10 commandments - we lost one; innocent, careless. We must pursue the commandments to please God.Lost Son - from in the Father's house decided to wander. Rebellious (i.e., witchcraft), covetous. Nothing erases our responsibility to be part of the family.  There's a downturn in the investment of God in restoring His relationship with man. First, there is a one percent loss; then a ten percent loss; finally, He lost everything.***74: Jesus Teaches About God’s Love In ParablesLuke 15:1-32Jesus Teaches About God’s Love In ParablesThe Lost SheepAmong the many people who came to hear and see Jesus were publicans and sinners.            The Pharisees and scribes murmured among themselves, saying:            “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.”            Jesus told a parable, saying:            “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” The Lost Coin Jesus continued saying:            “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently til she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.’ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” The Prodigal Son    Jesus continued:            “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.’ And he divided unto them his living.And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be...

Salvation, certainly discipleship, is a journey. We must repent (make changes) as imperfections are revealed. This is an individual walk, a striving to enter the narrow gate, to make a life of character that is worthy to offer our Savior and King. How can we hear the instructions of the Holy Spirit? Here's the initial steps: 1) Keep the Ten Commandments. 2) Take time every day to hear the voice of God. 3) Never, ever violate your conscience. The Bible is full of conditional promises. ***73 & 74: Jesus Teaches About God’s Love In ParablesLuke 15:1-32The Lost SheepAmong the many people who came to hear and see Jesus were publicans and sinners.  The Pharisees and scribes murmured among themselves, saying:            “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.”            Jesus told a parable, saying:            “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”The Lost Coin Jesus continued saying:            “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently til she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.’ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”The Prodigal Son Jesus continued:            “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.’ And he divided unto them his living.And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired servants.”’ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;...

The journey to salvation begins with repentance (i.e., making changes as prompted by the Holy Spirit) and is completed with the achievement of "enduring till the end." One is our Teacher, even Christ. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:7-11 ***73: Jesus Tells The Cost Of DiscipleshipLuke 14:25-35 Great multitudes followed Jesus. He said to them:            “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.And whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.            “Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Jews refused or were unable to reconcile their preconceived ideas to the reality of Messiah. They did not expect Jesus to minister the way He did, in spite of many miraculous signs.  The leaders were unwilling to give up their religious protocols or animal sacrifices. They could not hear, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice." Jesus came to be King and High Priest of Israel and to remove the temple. To this day Jesus is rejected by the Jews because of unfulfilled prophecies; again, unable to see how their rejection of Jesus led to His crucifixion and the interruption of Jesus' work on the earth. To avoid similar misunderstandings we must hear from the Spirit of God.  How? 1) Keep the Commandments (the big ten).2) Take time every day to hear from God (meditate).3) Never disobey your conscience. ***70: Jesus Reveals That The Way Into The Kingdom Is DifficultLuke 13:22-30Jesus went through cities and villages, teaching. As he journeyed toward Jerusalem, one who went with him said:            “Lord, are there few that be saved?”            Jesus replied:            “Strive to enter in at the straight gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying,‘Lord, Lord, open unto us;’ and he shall answer and say unto you, ‘I know you not whence ye are’ – then shall ye begin to say, ‘We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.’ But he shall say, I tell you, ‘I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.’ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.”

Why do you call me LORD and not do what I say? Remember the Sermon on the Mount - give in secret, pray in private, give to those who cannot repay. We must understand that it was the rejection of the Jews of the authority of Jesus which led to empty seats at the table. Jesus turned to the halt, the blind, the lame - us (the Gentiles). Don't boast against the natural branches. We are less than the guests expected by Jesus. ***71: Jesus is Warned of Herod Luke 13:31-35On the same day certain Pharisees came to Jesus, saying:            “Get thee out and depart hence. For Herod will kill thee.”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Go ye, and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate; and verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”’”***72: Jesus Teaches At The Table Of A Chief PhariseeLuke 14:1-24Jesus Heals A Man With DropsyOn a Sabbath day Jesus ate in the house of one of the chief Pharisees. He was being watched closely.            A man came before him who was afflicted with dropsy. Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, asking:            “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?”            The lawyers and Pharisees remained silent. Thereupon Jesus healed the man and let him depart. Then he said to the lawyers and Pharisees:             “Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day?”            And the lawyers and Pharisees were unable to give any answer.The Parable Of The Wedding Guest While he was eating at the home of the chief Pharisee, Jesus, who noticed how certain of the guests always pushed themselves into the positions of honor, said to them: “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room: lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him, come and say to thee, ‘Give this man place;’ and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Jesus Instructs The Pharisee Jesus also said to the Pharisee who had invited him to eat: “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither they kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed;...

We must be diligent to see past traditions or political protocols which get in the way of us taking care of people. We protect the seed of Christ planted in us when we care for one another. It is our responsibility to build the character to stand. Alone, if need be. Expect persecution. Endure to the end. ***69: Jesus Heals A Crippled WomanLuke 13:10-17On a Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. In the congregation there was a woman whose back was bent as a bow. For eighteen years she had been deformed.Jesus saw her and called her to him, saying:            “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.” He laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. The ruler of the synagogue was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people: “There are six days in which men ought to work. In them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Jesus retorted, saying to the ruler: “Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” When Jesus had finished speaking, all those who had opposed him were ashamed and the people rejoiced for the glorious things he had done.

Give thanks in all things. God is not our enemy (or our valet). As children, students or disciples we understand that problems are the path to perfection. Jesus said eternal life can be obtained by obedience to the law. Take a longer view of outcomes. Circumstances of life provide the opportunity for our growth. to work with "works of God to be made manifest" God is not our enemy. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? . . . Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4***68: Jesus Teaches Concerning RepentanceLuke 13:1-9All Men Are SinnersSome of the crowd told Jesus of the Galileans who had been killed by Pilate and whose blood had been mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus said:             “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, ‘Nay,’ but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, ‘Nay,’ but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Parable Of A Barren Fig Tree            Then Jesus told those who were with him this parable:            “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, ‘Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’ And he answering said unto him, ‘Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

When we repent we make changes in our life. If no change occurs, we remain in our sin. We are not condemned because of Adam. We will be judged based on what we do; not what we believe. What we believe will determine our actions. Sin is a transgression against the law. Jesus says, "Go and sin no more." There is a protocol required for relationship with God. We must love God and love our neighbor enough to keep the 10 commandments. The commandments are our guard rails. When we keep the commandments we will be led by the Spirit of God. When you obey your conscience it gets louder. Jesus will teach us HIS ways - from the inside. Listen. ***68: Jesus Teaches Concerning RepentanceLuke 13:1-9All Men Are SinnersSome of the crowd told Jesus of the Galileans who had been killed by Pilate and whose blood had been mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus said:             “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, ‘Nay,’ but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, ‘Nay,’ but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Parable Of A Barren Fig Tree            Then Jesus told those who were with him this parable:            “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, ‘Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’ And he answering said unto him, ‘Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

Seek Ye the Kingdom: People led of the Spirit will know the TimesTime is short. Believe God is a Holy and Righteous Judge.  He is. Stay busy doing right-ness. The day of the end is not going to be easy - fire, division, trouble.  Hold fast your profession of faith without wavering; exhorting one another.   We will recognize things on the way; signs, weather - you know what is right and wrong - DO RIGHT! We will give an account of how we handled our responsibilities."Why not judge ye of yourself what is right?"***67: Jesus Speaks Of God’s CareLuke 12:12-59Seek Ye The KingdomAfter Jesus had related the parable about the rich man, he spoke to his disciples, saying:            “Therefore I say unto you, ‘Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.’ The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap – which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them. How much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.            “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good please to give you the kingdom.Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the Heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.The Faithful Steward “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this I know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also. For the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”            Then Peter said to Jesus:            “Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?”            Jesus replied:            “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, ‘My lord delayeth his coming;’ and...

A good steward is mindful of being held accountable for our responsibilities. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13***67: Jesus Speaks Of God’s CareLuke 12:12-59Seek Ye The KingdomAfter Jesus had related the parable about the rich man, he spoke to his disciples, saying: . . .To Be A Faithful Follower Is Not Easy            Jesus continued speaking to his disciples, saying:            “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, ‘Nay; but rather division.” For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”People Unable To Read The Times            Jesus turned to the people and addressed them, saying:            “When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower’; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, ‘There will be heat’; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?            “When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art on the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou has paid the very last mite.”

We live in uncertain times. We endeavor to save or acquire enough to protect ourselves from any loss or discomfort. How much is enough? Bigger barns? More investments? These are short-sited arrangements, coins in a pocket with holes, if you will. There is a way to get God involved in your finances. Pay your tithes; ten percent for God, ten percent for keeping the feasts (vacay); and 3% for you the poor or needy neighbor. Consider the compassion and desire of the Lord to be involved in our daily provision and care:"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts." Malachi 3“For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:2***67: Jesus Speaks Of God’s CareLuke 12:12-59Seek Ye The KingdomAfter Jesus had related the parable about the rich man, he spoke to his disciples, saying:            “Therefore I say unto you, ‘Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.’ The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap – which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them. How much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.            “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good please to give you the kingdom.Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the Heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.The Faithful Steward “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this I know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also. For the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”            Then Peter said to...

It is the propensity of man to shift responsibility; to look to experts or professionals to relieve the pressure of thinking, of deciding and of acting; a type of child (or slave) mentality. It is true, we begin our walk in Christianity as servants; however, there is more for those who would be heirs. God desires a "living sacrifice." Daily we deny-ourselves. Daily we take-up-our-cross. Daily we seek a Word from God. Daily we obey Jesus when He says, "Follow-me". ***66: Jesus Warns Against CovetousnessLuke 12:13-21 After Jesus had given his warnings regarding hypocrisy, one of those present said to him:            “Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.”            Jesus replied:            “Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?”            He continued:            “Take heed, and beware of covetousness. For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”            Then Jesus told a parable of a rich man to the multitude, saying:            “The ground of a certain rich man was brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?’ And he said, ‘This will I do: I will pull down my barns and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

The way to salvation is described as a narrow path. There is no room for crowds maintained by hypocrisy (acting) or compromise. A purposeful stand regardless of "what others think" will bring persecution and pressure. We must square our shoulders and resist the temptation to change our position to "get along" or to "belong" to the crowd. It is denial of Christ that we must fear. There will be difficulty for sure, but when you stand with Christ - you do not stand alone. Be strong. ***65: Jesus Warns His Disciples Against HypocrisyLuke 12:1-12When a great multitude of people gathered around him, standing so thick that they trod upon one another’s feet, Jesus began to speak, saying:             “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, ‘Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.’ But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear. Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, ‘Fear him.’ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore. Ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, ‘Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.’ And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but unto him that blasphemest against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

The commandments bring life, order and communication with God. It is important work.  However, the traditions making the law more difficult creates barriers and voids the benefits of keeping the law.  Past consequences of commandment disobedience (i.e. 70 years of slavery for violations of the Sabbath) motivated religious leaders to set boundaries (fences) around the law with the intent of protecting the law.  These fences made the law grievous and difficult to obey.  Over time these fences became a favored source of authority, as people were required to continually consult religious leaders regarding every-day life.   Jesus corrects the practice of the leadership and further expounds on the "weightier matters" of the law.  Jesus said, "These things ye ought to have done" and "not avoid the weightier matters..." ***64: Jesus Rebukes The Pharisees, Scribes, and LawyersLuke 11:37-54A Pharisee invited Jesus to come to his house to eat. Jesus entered and sat down to the food spread before him. The host was surprised that Jesus began to eat without washing before dinner.            Perceiving his thoughts, Jesus said to him:            “Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God. These ought ye to have done, and not leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.”            Then a lawyer who was present said to Jesus:            “Thus saying thou reproachest us also.”            Jesus replied:            “Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! For ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute’ – that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple. Verily I say unto you, ‘It shall be required of this generation.’Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge. Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”

Enthusiasm to recruit believers has lead to short-sighted evangelistic techniques which result in false doctrines and misunderstandings of the gospel. There is consistent truth in the instruction of Jesus. Jesus continually prods and pushes His disciples to see Kingdom things. Jesus looks for us to imitate Him; to quickly care for those in our sphere of influence. In order that it may be, "Thy will be done in earth..." Just do it. Just do God's will. He tells us what it is. Then, the will of God shall be done - in the earth. ***63: Jesus Discusses PrayerLuke 11:1-13Once, when Jesus had been praying, one of his disciples said to him:            “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”            Jesus replied:            “When ye pray, say:‘Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come.Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins;For we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us.And lead us not into temptation;But deliver us from evil.’”Then Jesus told this story to his disciples, saying:            “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves. For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him’? And he from within shall answer and say, ‘Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.’ I say unto you, “Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.’ And I say unto you, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.’ For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

In our day prayer is cheap. Can we click to forward a prayer request from the internet to the throne of God? Does a prayer wheel get the job done? Can we hire the righteous to make prayers vicariously? Does a recorded prayer work? Is there a number of repetitions required (like votes) to get the attention of God? We have been taught God is always listening, He will grant our every desire (no limits like with Aladdin), and "all we have to do is believe." Friends, this is not true. Nothing adds to the rolls of atheism like unanswered prayer requests. The disciples noticed something different about Jesus' prayers. First, they never heard Jesus say, "Father would you just . . ." Secondly, the prayers of Jesus were effective and obedient. A servant, a son, does not petition without obtaining instruction, i.e. the will of God. In many cases, however, it is our will; not God's that is sought. Which leads to exactly the result described in the Scriptures - you ask and receive not because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts. There must be a better way. Jesus teach us to pray.***63: Jesus Discusses PrayerLuke 11:1-13Once, when Jesus had been praying, one of his disciples said to him:            “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”            Jesus replied:            “When ye pray, say:‘Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come.Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins;For we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us.And lead us not into temptation;But deliver us from evil.’”Then Jesus told this story to his disciples, saying:            “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves. For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him’? And he from within shall answer and say, ‘Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.’ I say unto you, “Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.’ And I say unto you, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.’ For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

What God wants is almost irrelevant because of man's will. The Bible is full of broken Scriptures. So much is in our control. We do what we want to do, which may or may not be God's will. God does not intervene because of our prayers. We are allowed (and required) to partner with God to affect outcomes in this life. Christians are "more-than" when we develop our relationship with God; not because we say it, but, because we obey. We are afraid of the consequences of being sold out to the Word of God in our ear. ***62: Jesus Is Attacked In JerusalemJohn 10:22-39Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Dedication, which occurred in the winter time. While he walked on Solomon’s Porch, a part of the temple, the Jews came around him and said:            “How long dost thou make us doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.”            Jesus answered them saying:            “I told you, and ye believe not. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”            Those around him picked up stones to hurl at Jesus, who said:            “Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?”            They answered Jesus:            “For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”            Jesus replied to them:            “Is it not written in your law, ’I said, “Ye are gods”’? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken, say ye of him, who the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, ‘Thou blasphemest’; because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works; that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”            Thereupon the authorities sought to arrest Jesus, but he eluded them.

Our inherited traditions hamper our ability to hear Jesus. There are gods many. Modern thought uses the "god of the gap" theory as a precursor to scientific understanding, forcing a contrived choice of belief in god or science. In this chapter, the religious leaders allowed their expectations and traditions as justification to disregard the works of Jesus. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 (KJV)“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” Hebrews 1:9 (KJV)***62: Jesus Is Attacked In JerusalemJohn 10:22-39Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Dedication, which occurred in the winter time. While he walked on Solomon’s Porch, a part of the temple, the Jews came around him and said:            “How long dost thou make us doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.”            Jesus answered them saying:            “I told you, and ye believe not. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”            Those around him picked up stones to hurl at Jesus, who said:            “Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?”            They answered Jesus:            “For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”            Jesus replied to them:            “Is it not written in your law, ’I said, “Ye are gods”’? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken, say ye of him, who the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, ‘Thou blasphemest’; because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works; that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”            Thereupon the authorities sought to arrest Jesus, but he eluded them.

Mark 4:19“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”Traditions, protocol and bad theology lulls the modern Christian into a sense of false security. Examine the Words of Jesus and compare His ways to the ways we have sought out for comfort or convenience. This work is difficult. Examine your thoughts. Where did the concern come from? Make changes as you go. Hirelings prevent sheep from getting to the Lord Jesus. Beware of finding or being "Another Christ", the preacher has one job. Bring the sheep to the Shepherd.***61: Jesus Tells The Parable Of The Good ShepherdJohn 10:1-21Jesus continued speaking and said:            “Verily, verily I say unto you, ‘He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him, the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.”            The listeners did not understand the meaning of what Jesus said. He continued:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘I am the door of the sheep.’ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”            The words of Jesus again caused a difference of opinion among the people. Many of them said:            “He hath a devil, and is mad. Why hear ye him?”            Others said:            “There are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”

The joy of an eye-opening miracle creates immediate awe and attention. The clamor almost overshadowing the life-changing experience itself. How could a man born-blind have sight? Fake news pundits were decrying the event and even the identity of the healed man. "Think not that I came to bring peace..." said Jesus. A choice is mandated of those who receive a visitation by God, the receiver of the gift and of the watchers. Every act of obedience to the Father by Jesus declared, "It's not like you think." Quite a challenge to those who are professionals in "God's business". Established circumstances, regulations, and protocol dictates who is and is not eligible to receive from God. ***60: Jesus Heals The Man Born BlindJohn 9:1-41As Jesus walked along on a Sabbath he saw a man who had been born blind from birth.            Jesus’ disciples said to him:            “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day. The night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”            As soon as he had finished speaking, Jesus spat on the ground, made a soft mass of clay with the spittle, and placed it, as an ointment, on the eyes of the blind man. Then he said to the man:            “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.”            The blind man went to the pool, and when he had washed his eyes he could see.             Acquaintances who saw him said:            “Is this not he that sat and begged?”            Some said:            “This is he.”             Others said:            “He is like him.”            The man who had been blind said:            “I am he.”            Thereupon he was asked:            “How were thine eyes opened?”            He replied:            “A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ And I went and washed, and I received sight.”            The man was asked:            “Where is he?”            He answered:            “I know not.”            The people who had questioned him took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees.            When the Pharisees asked him how he had...

We don't know what is good. Circumstances judged on an emotional level will throw us off track. Trust God the Father to know the circumstance we need to become a mature child of God. There is striving, endurance and overcoming to secure a relationship with God. We are admonished to "grow-up in Christ" by becoming a servant. "Know ye what I have done to you?" Jesus asked the disciples. He washed their feet. He served. He humbled himself. He led.We minister to the LORD in physical ways, picking up garbage, cleaning, feeding the hungry; "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."Present your body as a living sacrifice; holy and acceptable to the Lord. John 4:23“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”***59: Jesus In The Home Of Mary And MarthaLuke 10:38-42Jesus In The Home Of Mary And MarthaWhen he came to the village of Bethany, Jesus rested in the house of a woman named Martha. Martha had a sister, Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his words.            Martha, who was very busy taking care of the house and serving, went to Jesus and said:             “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”            Jesus answered Martha, saying:            “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”