Jesus instructs the disciples in a way that is counterintuitive to the physical world. Ambition is not encouraged. Selfishness is put-down. They are told to accept what is given with humility, not pursuing wealth, so your gospel is not perverted. A laborer is worthy of hire - a place to sleep, something to eat. The disciples were provided for by God not by manipulation or contrivance or pressure or compulsion or marketing. The demand on the disciples was to learn to be content. The miracles of healing and deliverance were exciting, but they were not the greatest miracle being made manifest. ***57: The Mission And Success Of The Seventy Disciples Of JesusLuke 10:1-24JESUS APPOINTED seventy disciples in addition to the twelve. He sent them before him, two by two, into every city and place through which he would pass. When they were gathered around him, he sent them forth with these instructions: “The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give; for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, ‘The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’ But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same and say, ‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you.’ Notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to Heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” When the seventy were with Jesus again, they were much elated and said to him: “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Jesus answered them, saying: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced and prayed to his Father, saying: “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” Then he turned again to his disciples and said to them: “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

 "If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably not true."   Consider the premise, "Salvation is free."  While it is true salvation cannot be obtained without the gift of faith and the sacrifice of Jesus; it is also true that Christianity is costly.  To gain new life, we must lay down our old life.  We must submit to the commandments, to the authority of the Spirit of God, and to Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our ONE teacher.  The path of redemption is narrow. This fight, this faith, this race, presents all the challenges one would expect when searching for a new life, as eternal goal, a God worthy of worship and honor. Worship not in words, but in humility and action. It is recognized as obedience. ***57: The Mission And Success Of The Seventy Disciples Of JesusLuke 10:1-24JESUS APPOINTED seventy disciples in addition to the twelve. He sent them before him, two by two, into every city and place through which he would pass. When they were gathered around him, he sent them forth with these instructions: “The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give; for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, ‘The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’ But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same and say, ‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you.’ Notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to Heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” When the seventy were with Jesus again, they were much elated and said to him: “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Jesus answered them, saying: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your name are written in Heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced and prayed to his Father, saying: “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” Then he turned again to his disciples and said to them: “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not...

We attempt to negotiate our obedience to God to minimize our sacrifice. We are required to deny ourselves, to commit to our death for our faith, and to imitate Jesus. Jesus did not offer prosperity to people who came to Him. Hold everything we own in an open hand. Jesus came to teach us to be acceptable to him. He did not come for us to accept Him. Kingdom philosophy is opposite many religious doctrines - expect it. We cannot enter the Kingdom of God with this world attached to us. The gate is narrow. ***55: Jesus Rebukes James’ And John’s Desire To Misuse Spiritual PowerLuke 9:51-56AS JESUS was making his way toward Jerusalem, he sent messengers before him. They entered a village of Samaria to make ready for Jesus’ passing through that place. The Samaritans would not receive Jesus because he was going toward Jerusalem. Two of his disciples, James and John, became very angry over this and said: “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from Heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” So they went to another village.***56: Jesus Teaches That All Else Must Be ForsakenMatthew 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62A MAN came to Jesus and said: “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” Jesus replied: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus spoke to another man, saying: “Follow me.” The man said: “Lord, suffer me to first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him: “Let the dead bury their dead. But go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Another man said to Jesus: “Lord, I will follow thee. But let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house.” To him Jesus said: “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

"We do not know what Spirit we are of." The disciples and the religious leaders misunderstood God. The practice of the day was to use religion selfishly to obtain materialistic goals. Jesus came to reveal the Kingdom of God. Jesus came to clarify the way to please God. The Scriptures record multiple instances where God said, "I am not like you." God said, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." The process of understanding, of becoming born from above, of following Jesus in Spirit and Truth takes diligence and time. Practice taking a longer view of life. People are watching. Be consistent. Be loving. Be obedient. ***55: Jesus Rebukes James’ And John’s Desire To Misuse Spiritual PowerLuke 9:51-56AS JESUS was making his way toward Jerusalem, he sent messengers before him. They entered a village of Samaria to make ready for Jesus’ passing through that place. The Samaritans would not receive Jesus because he was going toward Jerusalem. Two of his disciples, James and John, became very angry over this and said: “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from Heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” So they went to another village.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through [Jesus] might be saved. He that believeth on [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:17-18Changes! No more bloodline salvation; whosoever will (not whosoever wants). There are requirements for salvation. Deny yourself, die (take up your cross), and follow me. Jesus is a stranger to His church. Salvation not one and done; we need to change. When we move from mercy we "don't know what Spirit we are of". It is helpful to remember the 'pit' from whence you came.***55: Jesus Rebukes James’ And John’s Desire To Misuse Spiritual PowerLuke 9:51-56AS JESUS was making his way toward Jerusalem, he sent messengers before him. They entered a village of Samaria to make ready for Jesus’ passing through that place. The Samaritans would not receive Jesus because he was going toward Jerusalem. Two of his disciples, James and John, became very angry over this and said: “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from Heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” So they went to another village.

Jesus' simple instruction for us, "Keep the commandments and the Father and I will instruct you from the inside." The people did not understand Jesus was taught by His Father daily. Jesus wants that same communication for us. The steps? 1) Keep the commandments. 2) Take time every day to hear from God. 3) Never violate your conscience. ***Ch. 54: Jesus At The Feast Of TabernaclesJohn 7:1-8:59Jesus Arouses Anger By Claiming Sonship With God            Jesus continued to speak, saying:            “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins. Whither I go, ye cannot come.”            The Jews said among themselves:            “Will he kill himself? Because he saith, ‘Whither I go, you cannot come.’”            Jesus said to the Jews:            “Ye are from beneath; I am from above. Ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins. For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”            The Jews asked him:            “Who art thou?”            Jesus replied:            “Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you. But he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.”            The Jews did not understand that he spoke of the Father.            Jesus continued, saying:            “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me. The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”            Because of these words, many believed in Jesus. To those Jews who believed he said:            “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”            The Jews replied:            “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man. How sayest thou, ‘Ye shall be made free’?”            Jesus answered them:            “Verily, verily I say unto you, ‘Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.’ and the servant abideth not in the house forever; but the Son abideth forever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father; and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.”            The Jews answered, saying:            “Abraham is our...

The instruction of the Scriptures is often opposite the instructions of men. Jesus said we must deny ourselves, die and follow Jesus. We show the light to the world by our lives. If the world is not asking "of us" no light is shinning. Muslims, Jews, Christians are known as people of the book. Disciples are not people of the book; we are people of the author.***Ch. 54: Jesus At The Feast Of TabernaclesJohn 7:1-8:59Jesus Rejects The Advice of His Brothers To Go To JerusalemWhen the Feast of the Tabernacles was at hand, Jesus’ brothers said to him:            “Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, if he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.”            Even his brothers did not believe in him.            Jesus replied to his advisers:            “My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast. I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet fullcome.”            And Jesus continued yet a while in Galilee. But, after his brothers had left for Jerusalem, he also went to the feast, not openly but secretly.Jesus Defeats An Attempt To Arrest Him            The authorities, suspecting that Jesus was in the city, asked:            “Where is he?”            The people murmured about him. Some said:            “He is a good man.”             Others said:            “Nay, but he deceiveth the people.”            However, all were afraid to speak openly of Jesus, for fear of the authorities.  About the middle of the feast Jesus went into the temple and taught. Many people, surprised at his words, said:            “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why ye go about to kill me?”            The people answered:            “Thou hast a devil. Who goeth about to kill thee?”            Jesus replied:            “I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath...

Jesus operated in the Spirit, not under the law. Jesus expected conflict with the law of Moses. "He who is without sin- let him come." ***Ch. 54: Jesus At The Feast Of TabernaclesJohn 7:1-8:59Jesus Rejects The Advice of His Brothers To Go To JerusalemWhen the Feast of the Tabernacles was at hand, Jesus’ brothers said to him:            “Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, if he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.”            Even his brothers did not believe in him.            Jesus replied to his advisers:            “My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast. I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet fullcome.”            And Jesus continued yet a while in Galilee. But, after his brothers had left for Jerusalem, he also went to the feast, not openly but secretly.Jesus Defeats An Attempt To Arrest Him            The authorities, suspecting that Jesus was in the city, asked:            “Where is he?”            The people murmured about him. Some said:            “He is a good man.”             Others said:            “Nay, but he deceiveth the people.”            However, all were afraid to speak openly of Jesus, for fear of the authorities.  About the middle of the feast Jesus went into the temple and taught. Many people, surprised at his words, said:            “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why ye go about to kill me?”            The people answered:            “Thou hast a devil. Who goeth about to kill thee?”            Jesus replied:            “I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous...

Jesus lived in humility and meekness, as the example of what God wants for us. We might think our actions would have been different than the religious leaders in Jesus' day. The understanding and authority of Jesus' instruction was a surprise. The spoken truth was inarguable. But, it was not what they expected. Those who taught in the yeshivas and synagogues and walked physically with Jesus had difficulty fitting His life into the expectations of Messiah. ***Ch. 54: Jesus At The Feast Of TabernaclesJohn 7:1-8:59Jesus Rejects The Advice of His Brothers To Go To JerusalemWhen the Feast of the Tabernacles was at hand, Jesus’ brothers said to him:            “Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, if he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.”            Even his brothers did not believe in him.            Jesus replied to his advisers:            “My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast. I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet fullcome.”            And Jesus continued yet a while in Galilee. But, after his brothers had left for Jerusalem, he also went to the feast, not openly but secretly.Jesus Defeats An Attempt To Arrest Him            The authorities, suspecting that Jesus was in the city, asked:            “Where is he?”            The people murmured about him. Some said:            “He is a good man.”             Others said:            “Nay, but he deceiveth the people.”            However, all were afraid to speak openly of Jesus, for fear of the authorities.  About the middle of the feast Jesus went into the temple and taught. Many people, surprised at his words, said:            “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why ye go about to kill me?”            The people answered:            “Thou hast a devil. Who goeth about to kill thee?”            Jesus replied:            “I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of...

Every action, every word, every instruction from Jesus is for edification. Not every word for every person, but messages for those who "have ears to hear." Even his disciples did not understand how the Kingdom of God was to be implemented, nor did they understand how far the religious practice was in opposition to the plan of the God. Jesus was led by the Spirit. Being instructed by Jesus and led of the Spirit is our mission. One is our Shephard, even Christ. ***Ch. 54: Jesus At The Feast Of TabernaclesJohn 7:1-8:59Jesus Rejects The Advice of His Brothers To Go To JerusalemWhen the Feast of the Tabernacles was at hand, Jesus’ brothers said to him:            “Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, if he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.”            Even his brothers did not believe in him.            Jesus replied to his advisers:            “My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast. I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet fullcome.”            And Jesus continued yet a while in Galilee. But, after his brothers had left for Jerusalem, he also went to the feast, not openly but secretly.Jesus Defeats An Attempt To Arrest Him            The authorities, suspecting that Jesus was in the city, asked:            “Where is he?”            The people murmured about him. Some said:            “He is a good man.”             Others said:            “Nay, but he deceiveth the people.”            However, all were afraid to speak openly of Jesus, for fear of the authorities.  About the middle of the feast Jesus went into the temple and taught. Many people, surprised at his words, said:            “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”            Jesus answered them saying:            “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why ye go about to kill me?”            The people answered:            “Thou hast a devil. Who goeth about to kill thee?”            Jesus replied:            “I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you...

Practice putting your ego in-check; esteem others as better. Resolve issues of offense or transgressions with an attitude of humility. First, go one-on-one to restore the relationship. Secondly, if they won't hear you, go to an objective, non-emotional audience. Next, if still no reconciliation, then go to the church for counsel. Strive to get along with one another. Resentment, unforgiveness, and discord block our ears. Fourth, "count the one who refuses reconciliation as a heathen and a publican", not a condemnation; but a path to peace and harmony. ***Ch 53: Jesus Discusses The Need For HumilityMatthew 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50Who Is The Greatest In The Kingdom?ON THEIR way to Capernaum the disciples argued among themselves. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them:            “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?”            The disciples were silent for they had disputed about who was the greatest.            Jesus sat down with them and said:            “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”            Then he set a child in the midst of the disciples and, holding him in his arms, he said:            “Verily I say unto you, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.’ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Tolerance Urged John said to Jesus:            “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us. And we forbade him, because he followeth not us.”            Jesus replied:            “Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, ‘He shall not lose his reward.’ Offenses to Avoid            “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or mained, rather than have two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. No One Is Unimportant In The Sight Of God “How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave

Confront the Words of Jesus in actuality not based on Bible study or Church ideas. Allow truth to replace tradition. Jesus provided the way to reconciliation. It's a joint opportunity for us to strive with Him, to obey His commandments, to hear instruction; it is a matter of authority. ***Ch 53: Jesus Discusses The Need For HumilityMatthew 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50Who Is The Greatest In The Kingdom?ON THEIR way to Capernaum the disciples argued among themselves. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them:            “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?”            The disciples were silent for they had disputed about who was the greatest.            Jesus sat down with them and said:            “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”            Then he set a child in the midst of the disciples and, holding him in his arms, he said:            “Verily I say unto you, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.’ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Tolerance Urged John said to Jesus:            “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us. And we forbade him, because he followeth not us.”            Jesus replied:            “Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, ‘He shall not lose his reward.’ Offenses to Avoid            “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or mained, rather than have two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. No One Is Unimportant In The Sight Of God “How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek the one that has gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is...

Remember, the actual ministry of Christ is to feed the hungry, cloth the needy and help the poor. Keep money in the proper place in our life, not our god. Agreement on all matters is not required. Our progress in the Kingdom of God is an individual journey. Listen to the Holy Spirit to hear the correction of your loving Heavenly Father. Consider the end of your life. Reject social power. Everybody is equally important to God. Ego is a problem.***Ch 52: Jesus Tells Peter To Get The Tax Money From The Mouth Of A FishMatthew 17:24-27JESUS AND his disciples returned to Capernaum. The collectors of the temple tax asked Peter:            “Doth not your master pay taxes?”            Peter replied:            “Yes.”            When he came into the house, Jesus said to him:            “What thinketh thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?”            Peter answered:            “Of strangers.”            Jesus then said:            “Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money. That take, and give unto them for me and thee.”***53: Jesus Discusses The Need For HumilityMatthew 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50Who Is The Greatest In The Kingdom?ON THEIR way to Capernaum the disciples argued among themselves. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them:            “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?”            The disciples were silent for they had disputed about who was the greatest.            Jesus sat down with them and said:            “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”            Then he set a child in the midst of the disciples and, holding him in his arms, he said:            “Verily I say unto you, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.’ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Tolerance Urged John said to Jesus:            “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us. And we forbade him, because he followeth not us.”            Jesus replied:            “Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong

Obedience. Character. Righteousness. Our God requires Christian's to do the right thing for the right reason. Strive to keep the things of this world in the proper light. "Money is sewage, not my savior." The goal is to have the right attitude toward money. The obedience of paying tithes allows God to get involved in our finances. Regarding tithes Jesus said, "...these things ye ought to have done." Love makes us want to give to those we love -- our families, our neighbors, our God. We are only able to give a gift or offering when our tithes have been paid. "God so loved that He gave..." It's a divine principle.*** Ch 52: Jesus Tells Peter To Get The Tax Money From The Mouth Of A FishMatthew 17:24-27JESUS AND his disciples returned to Capernaum. The collectors of the temple tax asked Peter:            “Doth not your master pay taxes?”            Peter replied:            “Yes.”            When he came into the house, Jesus said to him:            “What thinketh thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?”            Peter answered:            “Of strangers.”            Jesus then said:            “Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money. That take, and give unto them for me and thee.”

It is our duty to work to meet our physical needs in this world. Today, we are compensated with money. It's a good system when our hearts do not turn to our own ability to meet our needs. We must use caution to keep our earnings in the proper perspective. Is the question of desires or unexpected tragedy, "Can I afford it?" instead of "Is it God's will for me?" The more money we have the more difficult it is to hold it in the proper light. Our faith is revealed by where we turn to solve a problem. Who do we trust? Money? The lottery? The government? A relationship with the Lord Jesus? ***Ch 52: Jesus Tells Peter To Get The Tax Money From The Mouth Of A FishMatthew 17:24-27JESUS AND his disciples returned to Capernaum. The collectors of the temple tax asked Peter:            “Doth not your master pay taxes?”            Peter replied:            “Yes.”            When he came into the house, Jesus said to him:            “What thinketh thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?”            Peter answered:            “Of strangers.”            Jesus then said:            “Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money. That take, and give unto them for me and thee.”

Elijah (John the Baptist) came unnoticed and misunderstood. The religious leadership had the same trouble with Jesus and his authority. They often said, "We will not have this man, Jesus, to reign over us." They preferred their traditions and their authority. The law and the prophets could be manipulated. We have the same problems today. Tradition, false doctrines and mistaken objectives prevented Jesus' acceptance as Messiah. The miracles were not enough. Jesus told his disciples "Things have changed... I'm gonna die."***Ch 49: Jesus Is Questioned Regarding ElijahMatthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13AS THEY came down from the mountain, Jesus said to the three disciples:            “Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”           The three were greatly perplexed and asked among themselves what “risen from the dead” meant.            Then they went to Jesus and asked him:            “Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?”            Jesus replied:            “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.”         The disciples knew that Jesus spoke of John the Baptist.***Ch 50: Jesus Heals The Convulsed ChildMatthew 17:41-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42WHEN JESUS came to the rest of his disciples, he found a great crowd gathered about them and they were being questioned by scribes. When people saw Jesus, they ran to him and greeted him.            Jesus addressed the scribes, asking:            “What question ye with them?”            A man came out of the multitude and, kneeling before Jesus, said:            “Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously. For ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.”            Jesus replied:            “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.”            When the child was brought before Jesus, the dumb spirit tore him. He fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.            Jesus asked the father:             “How long is it ago since this came unto him?”            The father replied:            “Of a child; but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.”            To the father Jesus said:            “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”            The father of the child cried...

The long-awaited Messiah, Jesus, came to earth. Something new. It is one thing to anticipate the answer and correction of all things. It is quite another for the authority to arrive. As a man, Jesus lived in obedience to God the Father, demonstrating the way we are to operate in the Kingdom of God. Promise of Jesus when I go away, the Spirit of God will come and lead you from the inside. Previous efforts to reconcile God and man through the law and the prophets failed. God says, "I am not a book. Go to Jesus for answers."***Ch 48: Jesus’ TransfigurationMatthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36ABOUT A week later Jesus went with three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, into a high mountain to pray.            As he prayed he was transfigured before them. His face shone as the sun and his garments became white and glistening, as bright as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about coming events at Jerusalem.            Peter said:            “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”            While Peter was speaking a bright cloud came over them and out of it came a voice, which said:            “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. HERE YE HIM.”            When the disciples heard the voice, they were afraid and fell on their faces.            Jesus came and touched them, saying:            “Arise and be not afraid.”            And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus.        The three disciples guarded word of this event as a secret, telling no one what they had seen.

The relationship between God and man is intimate and personal. Taught ideas (religions) are subject to the persuasions of another teacher; however, revelation from God cannot be easily replaced. The message of Jesus speaks to those who are called of God. "One is your Teacher, even Christ." There's a mystery, hidden in the gospels, a restoration of the communication lost in the Garden. Jesus bears witness to the truth, those of the truth hear him. ***Ch 47: Jesus Predicts His Death And ResurrectionMatthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27JESUS BEGAN to teach his disciples saying:            “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”            Then Peter rebuked Jesus, saying:             “Be it far from thee, Lord. This shall not be unto thee.”            Jesus replied to Peter:            “Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offense unto me; for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”            Then Jesus called all the people before him and said:            “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall have it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.”

The Ten Commandments state the laws of the Kingdom of God. These behaviors are required to please God. Evangelism through persuasion or education is not the plan of God. Rather, it is people who keep the commandments who get the attention of the Spirit of God. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him... 2 Chron. 16:9 Jesus instructed His disciples, "See that you tell no man." If we won't keep the law, persuasion, resurrection or miracles will not be sufficient to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God comes by revelation, not observation. ***Ch 46: Jesus Asks: “Who Do Men Say That I Am?”Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21WHILE THEY were on the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples:            “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?”            The disciples replied:            “Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”            Jesus asked:            “But who say ye that I am?”            Simon Peter answered, saying:            “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”            Jesus responded:            “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven. And I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys to the kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”            Then Jesus instructed his disciples to tell no one that he was Jesus, the Christ.

Have we been regenerated? Born again? There are degrees of Christianity. We begin to learn God's ways by keeping the ten Commandments; the hope is to graduate to maturity by denying ourselves (remove selfishness), taking up our cross (suffer wrongfully), and following Jesus. The Law will show you into the Kingdom of God, but it will always bring you to Jesus for regeneration. Here's the proof of regeneration according to the gospels: 1 John 2:3, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."1 John 3:14, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abides in death."Romans 8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"***Ch 45: Jesus Heals A Blind Man Of BethsaidaMark 8:22-26AT BETHSAIDA a blind man was brought to Jesus, and he was asked to touch the man so that he should be healed.            Jesus took the hand of the blind man and led him out of the town. Applying spittle to his eyes, Jesus asked if he could see.            The man looked up and said:            “I see men as trees, walking.”            Then Jesus touched the man again and made him look up. His eyesight was then normal and he saw clearly.            Jesus told the man to go home, saying:            “Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.”

WARNING: The desire to belong and to be accepted is a deterrent to a Christian. "I've never heard anything like that before," the murmurings of any who listen to the words of Jesus. His unique understanding and instruction conveyed the way for lost, dead men to live; ironically, it costs your life. "Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me." It's lonely. It's difficult. It's fraught with persecution. It's change. It upsets the status quo! It's repentance. It's worth it! ***Ch 44: Jesus Warns Against The Teachings Of The Pharisees And SadduceesMatthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:13-21WHEN JESUS had left the Pharisees and Sadducees to whom he had refused a sign, he embarked, with his disciples, to cross the sea.            The disciples forgot to take food with them. There was only one loaf in the ship.            Jesus said to them:            “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”            His disciples reasoned the meaning of this among themselves, thinking:            “It is because we have taken no bread.”            Jesus knew what they were thinking and said:            “Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?”            The disciples answered:            “Twelve.”            Then Jesus asked:            “And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?”            They answered:            “Seven.”            Then Jesus said to them:            “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?”            So they understood that Jesus did not bid them beware of the leaven of bread but of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

God will not prove himself to mankind. Ch. 43 The issue is faith. Did Jesus mean what He said? We cannot believe in Jesus apart from His words. Ch. 44 The lesson continues in our day as in his, Jesus versus tradition. ***Ch 44: Jesus Warns Against The Teachings Of The Pharisees And SadduceesMatthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:13-21WHEN JESUS had left the Pharisees and Sadducees to whom he had refused a sign, he embarked, with his disciples, to cross the sea.            The disciples forgot to take food with them. There was only one loaf in the ship.            Jesus said to them:            “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”            His disciples reasoned the meaning of this among themselves, thinking:            “It is because we have taken no bread.”            Jesus knew what they were thinking and said:            “Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?”            The disciples answered:            “Twelve.”            Then Jesus asked:            “And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?”            They answered:            “Seven.”            Then Jesus said to them:            “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?”            So they understood that Jesus did not bid them beware of the leaven of bread but of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.***Ch 43: Jesus Again Refuses To Give A Sign To The Pharisees AndSadduceesMatthew 15:39, 16:1-4; Mark 8:10-12IMMEDIATELY AFTER he had fed the four thousand, Jesus and his disciples went by boat to another part of the country.             The Pharisees and Sadducees came and tempted Jesus, asking him to show a sign from Heaven as evidence of his authority.            Jesus refused them, saying:            “When it is evening, ye say, ‘It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering.’ O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.”            Then Jesus immediately left them.

The communication barrier between God and man thwarted every attempt to relay the truth Jesus came to reveal. You can hear the frustration of Jesus, "wicked and adulterous generations seek signs." Hunger and thirst after righteousness not signs. There's a way to bypass the issue of physical signs and education proof texts. Jesus said, "If you'll keep my commandments, the Father and I will teach you from the inside." Jesus said, "My words are Spirit and they are Life." ***Ch 43: Jesus Again Refuses To Give A Sign To The Pharisees AndSadduceesMatthew 15:39, 16:1-4; Mark 8:10-12IMMEDIATELY AFTER he had fed the four thousand, Jesus and his disciples went by boat to another part of the country.             The Pharisees and Sadducees came and tempted Jesus, asking him to show a sign from Heaven as evidence of his authority.            Jesus refused them, saying:            “When it is evening, ye say, ‘It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering.’ O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.”            Then Jesus immediately left them.

Christianity Is Not A HobbyChristians are required to participate in our change (repentance). Salvation is a process which necessitates instruction from Jesus. Who else is able to minister to the individual needs of thousands? Religion offers education in the Scriptures or church traditions or history. While there is encouragement and benefit to be derived from reading the testimonies, Jesus is alive and speaking with compassion. Make room in our lives to hear from Him. Keep the Ten Commandments. Never violate your conscience. Take time every day to hear. Put your life on hold (at least 20 minutes a day) to pursue a righteousness. ***Ch. 42: Jesus Feeds Four ThousandMatthew 15:32-38; Mark 8:1-9JESUS CALLED his disciples to him and said:            “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”            Many in the multitude of more than four thousand had come far. His disciples replied:            “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?”            Jesus asked:            “How many loaves have ye?”            The disciples answered:            “Seven, and a few little fishes.”            Then Jesus commanded the multitude to sit on the ground. He took the loaves and the fishes, gave thanks, and broke them. He handed them to his disciples, who passed them to all who were there.            When all had eaten and were filled, the remaining fragments were gathered together and filled seven baskets.             Then Jesus sent the multitude away.

Genesis chapter one records the incredible power of God's word in creation of the world (and man) in six days. It's a beautiful story worthy of revisiting. In the cool of the day God walked and communed with Adam. Soon, however, the disobedience of Adam created a schism which made such communion impossible. As Adam and Eve were removed from the garden a promise of reconciliation shines through the darkness. The Scriptures record the copious actions and plans of God to restore communion with His man. A man of faith (Abraham), the ten commandments (Moses), a priesthood (from the Levite to Melchizedek) and a meeting place (from a temple to the heart) prepared the way. In time, Immanuel, Jesus, the Word of God, came to make the blind see, the deaf hear, the captive free, and the dead to life. "Be opened." "He that has ears to hear let him hear."***Ch 41: Jesus Heals A Deaf-And-Dumb ManMatthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37 JESUS left the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon, where he had driven the unclean spirit from the daughter of the Greek woman, and crossed the Sea of Galilee to the coasts of Decapolis.             A deaf man, who also had an impediment in his speech, was brought before Jesus, who was asked to put his hand upon the man.            Jesus took the man to one side, put his fingers into his ears, and touched his tongue. Looking up to heaven, Jesus said:            “Be opened.”            Immediately the ears of the man opened, the impediment in his speech was removed, and he could hear and speak plainly.            Jesus ordered them to tell no one how he was cured. But as in other instances when charged not to publish the great healing works of Jesus, they spread the word widely.            All men were astonished beyond measure and said:            “He hath done all things well. He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

Conviction comes from God. Deal with the issues of your heart in private. Come as you are, then change; make corrections. Our mouth reveals our hearts - listen to hear your own words. Endure honest communication. Jesus came to save HIS PEOPLE not Gentiles; to bring grace (not unmerited favor) but, the power for men to become Sons of God. The Syrophoenician woman, 'called a dog', reached out in humility with an importunic prayer. Salvation is not an inherited right. Faith is required.    ***Ch. 40: Jesus Heals the Daughter of a Canaanitish WomanMatthew 5:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 AFTER JESUS had defended his disciples because they ate bread with unwashed hands, he went into the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon, hoping to escape from the crowds.            However, his presence could not be hidden for long. A Greek woman, native of Syro-Phoenicia, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him. She came to him and fell at his feet, saying:            “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David, my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”            But Jesus did not answer her.             His disciples came to Jesus and said:            “Send her away, for she crieth after us.”            But Jesus replied:            “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”            The woman continued to worship him and said:            “Lord help me.”            Jesus replied, saying:            “It is not proper to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”            The woman said:            “Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”            Seeing such great faith, Jesus said:            “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”            When the woman returned home, she found that her daughter had been healed from that very hour.

Embrace correction from Jesus. Tradition, ego, laziness, fear all contribute to dependence of a middleman or a sacrament to avoid the simple correction of our God. The message of the Kingdom of God is "repent!" In our vernacular, repent should be read as "change". Change is required for us to be restored to right relationship with God so we can enter the Kingdom of God. Let he who has ears to hear, hear; everyone will not understand.***Chapter 39: Jesus Defends His Disciples for Eating with Unwashed Hands Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23Certain Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus, finding fault that his disciples ate bread with unwashed hands.             For, according to tradition long handed down, the Pharisees and Jews could not eat without first washing their hands. There were many other old laws concerning the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and tables.            The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus:            “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They wash not their hands when they eat bread.”            Jesus replied:            “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do. Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ and ‘Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.’ But ye say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother, “It is Corban,” that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.’ And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered; and many such like things do ye.”            Then Jesus called all the people to him and said:            “Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him. But the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”            When Jesus retired from the people into the house, his disciples came to him and said:            “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”            Jesus replied:            “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”            Then Peter, the disciple, said:            “Declare unto us this parable.”            Jesus answered:            “Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into...

Be Christian. Not having everything you want, but wanting everything you have. Our natural inclination is to dispense with God’s rules and do life our way.  We make our fences to protect the commandments and we make our fences to avoid doing what is commanded.  Servants obey.  When we meet those who “…walk not with us…” love them anyway. Christians have the power to suffer wrongfully, to forgive and to live humbly. Our goal is regeneration.***Chapter 39: Jesus Defends His Disciples for Eating with Unwashed Hands Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23Certain Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus, finding fault that his disciples ate bread with unwashed hands.             For, according to tradition long handed down, the Pharisees and Jews could not eat without first washing their hands. There were many other old laws concerning the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and tables.            The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus:            “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They wash not their hands when they eat bread.”            Jesus replied:            “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do. Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ and ‘Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.’ But ye say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother, “It is Corban,” that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.’ And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered; and many such like things do ye.”            Then Jesus called all the people to him and said:            “Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him. But the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”            When Jesus retired from the people into the house, his disciples came to him and said:            “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”            Jesus replied:            “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”            Then Peter, the disciple, said:            “Declare unto us this parable.”            Jesus answered:            “Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into man, it cannot defile him; because it...

Seventy years of captivity was the Jews' punishment for ignoring the Sabbath commandment for 490 years. As a result, they overcorrected by building fences (traditions) to protect the Sabbath.  In reality, they made keeping the Sabbath onerous and complex.  Once a day of rest, it became an encyclopedia of dos and don’ts wielded with precision and penalties; all the while, the intent of the commandment was lost.  God knows we need a day off, a day of fellowship with Him, in order to meet the demands of life with justice, mercy and humility. Compare the tenants of your faith to the requirements of Jesus.  Jesus says His burden is light.  Is yours?***Chapter 39: Jesus Defends His Disciples for Eating with Unwashed Hands Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23Certain Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus, finding fault that his disciples ate bread with unwashed hands.             For, according to tradition long handed down, the Pharisees and Jews could not eat without first washing their hands. There were many other old laws concerning the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and tables.            The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus:            “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They wash not their hands when they eat bread.”            Jesus replied:            “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do. Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ and ‘Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.’ But ye say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother, “It is Corban,” that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.’ And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered; and many such like things do ye.”            Then Jesus called all the people to him and said:            “Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him. But the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”            When Jesus retired from the people into the house, his disciples came to him and said:            “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”            Jesus replied:            “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”            Then Peter, the disciple, said:            “Declare unto us this parable.”            Jesus...

The message of John the Baptist and of Jesus to the people and the church-leadership was "[Change]! Repent.” The Kingdom of God is at hand.  The Jews murmured at this because Jesus didn't fit their ideas.  This is also true in our generation.  Jesus instructed people to look for the anti-Christ, tribulation, persecution, death - and resurrection.  He did not speak of “a rapture escape” or of going-to-heaven-when-we-die.  Don’t take offense.  Repent. Change.***Ch. 38 - Jesus Speaks of the Bread of LifeJohn 6:22-71The next day the people on the shore he had left sought Jesus but could not find him. They knew that no boat had been there but the one his disciples had entered, and they knew Jesus had not entered it with them.            Many other boats came to the place where he fed the five thousand. Those on these ships, hearing that Jesus was gone, sailed to Capernaum, taking with them many from the shore who were also searching for Jesus.            They found Jesus teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum and they said to him:             “Master, when camest thou hither?”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.’ Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed.”            They said to him:            “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”            Jesus replied:            “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”            Then they asked him:            “What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.’”            Jesus answered:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world.’”            They said:            “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”             Jesus said:            “I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you that ye also have seen me and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have...

Dedicate to becoming Christian. It takes time to build the character to stand. We must know and use the Scriptures as the foundation to test traditions. False doctrines must be discarded to hear the message of "The Word of God." The people of Israel missed John-the-Baptist [Elijah] and Christ because of traditionAs you go through this podcast series examine your Jesus, your Messiah, to determine if He is the Savior of the Scriptures. The anti-Christ is coming. It will take understanding to reject him. ***Ch. 38 - Jesus Speaks of the Bread of LifeJohn 6:22-71The next day the people on the shore he had left sought Jesus but could not find him. They knew that no boat had been there but the one his disciples had entered, and they knew Jesus had not entered it with them.            Many other boats came to the place where he fed the five thousand. Those on these ships, hearing that Jesus was gone, sailed to Capernaum, taking with them many from the shore who were also searching for Jesus.            They found Jesus teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum and they said to him:             “Master, when camest thou hither?”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.’ Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed.”            They said to him:            “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”            Jesus replied:            “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”            Then they asked him:            “What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.’”            Jesus answered:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world.’”            They said:            “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”             Jesus said:            “I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you that ye also have seen me and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and...

Jesus did not come to make us prosperous. He came to make us into people of character who will not perish, come what may. Listen as Jesus parallels physical concepts with spiritual concepts. Though it's not written here the often heard cry recorded in the New Testament resounds, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." "...there is a friend sticks closer than a brother. " He wants to help. "And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54  ***Ch. 38 - Jesus Speaks of the Bread of LifeJohn 6:22-71The next day the people on the shore he had left sought Jesus but could not find him. They knew that no boat had been there but the one his disciples had entered, and they knew Jesus had not entered it with them.            Many other boats came to the place where he fed the five thousand. Those on these ships, hearing that Jesus was gone, sailed to Capernaum, taking with them many from the shore who were also searching for Jesus.            They found Jesus teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum and they said to him:             “Master, when camest thou hither?”            Jesus answered them, saying:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.’ Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed.”            They said to him:            “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”            Jesus replied:            “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”            Then they asked him:            “What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.’”            Jesus answered:            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world.’”            They said:            “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”             Jesus said:            “I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you that ye also have seen me and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the...

There is an amazing story in the Bible. Jesus, the Son of God, left his Father and came to interact with mankind. Faith is required to believe and to figuratively step out of the boat of convention. Movies, Sunday school, and traditions lend an inconvenient familiarity in thought to the story. Imagine if you can being in the boat with the disciples, being in the crowd on the shore or standing in the distance watching the scenes in the Scriptures - not knowing "the back of the book". Jesus came to reveal the Father and to teach us His ways. ***Ch . 37 - Jesus Walks On The SeaMatthew 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21While Jesus was alone in the Mountain praying, his disciples entered a boat and started over the sea toward Capernaum. But the wind rose and lashed the sea into great waves and held up their progress.             About the fourth watch of the night Jesus came down to the shore, saw the boat, and walked upon the sea toward them.            When they saw him in the water, his disciples were troubled and said:            “It is a spirit.”            They cried out with fear.            Jesus heard them and said:            “Be of good cheer. It is I; be not afraid.”            Peter replied, saying:            “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”            Jesus said:            “Come.”            Peter descended from the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water. When he saw that the waves were boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, saying:            “Lord, save me.”            Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, caught Peter, and said to him:            “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”            When the two of them entered the boat, the wind ceased. All who were on board came and worshiped Jesus, saying:            “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

The challenge for modern Christianity is to apply logic and consistency to our traditions. It requires bravery to examine established theological ideas and sacraments. However, to assure we worship the God of the Scriptures in accordance to the Son of God, this work is mandatory. Creeds, counsels and belief statements which require arbitrary obedience to the church over Christ creates a disconnect with the Scriptures. These false notions must be erased to make room for the doctrines Jesus came to reveal. ***Ch . 37 - Jesus Walks On The SeaMatthew 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21While Jesus was alone in the Mountain praying, his disciples entered a boat and started over the sea toward Capernaum. But the wind rose and lashed the sea into great waves and held up their progress.             About the fourth watch of the night Jesus came down to the shore, saw the boat, and walked upon the sea toward them.            When they saw him in the water, his disciples were troubled and said:            “It is a spirit.”            They cried out with fear.            Jesus heard them and said:            “Be of good cheer. It is I; be not afraid.”            Peter replied, saying:            “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”            Jesus said:            “Come.”            Peter descended from the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water. When he saw that the waves were boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, saying:            “Lord, save me.”            Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, caught Peter, and said to him:            “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”            When the two of them entered the boat, the wind ceased. All who were on board came and worshiped Jesus, saying:            “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

It takes the revelation of the Spirit of God to understand the message of Jesus.  We tend to try and simplify; to segregate “church-life” from “real life.” This segregation leads to a lukewarm Christianity. Important matters are discussed and resolved when we spend time with one another. Proverbs 27:17“Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”***Ch. 36 - Jesus Feeds Five ThousandMatthew 14:13-23; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:5-15When the apostles, whom Jesus had sent forth to spread the word, returned, they told him all that they had done and taught.            Because so many people seeking Jesus were always coming to him and his disciples, giving them not even leisure to eat, Jesus said:            “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.”            They went with Jesus privately by ship to a quiet and unpopulated place in the neighborhood of the city of Bethsaida.            The people saw them going. Many followed and others, who guessed their destination, ran afoot out of their cities and arrived before Jesus and the disciples. About five thousand men, besides women and children, came to the desolate place.            Jesus, seeing them, as sheep without a shepherd, had compassion on them, and he healed their sick and began to teach them many things.            When the day neared its end, the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said:  “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals; for we are here in a desert place.”           Jesus replied:            “They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”            Philip, the disciple, said:            “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.”            Another disciple, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said:            “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes. But what are they among so many?”            Jesus said:            “Bring them hither to me.”            Then he instructed his disciples to organize the crowd, saying:            “Make them sit down fifties in a company.”            Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, looked up to Heaven, and blessed them.He broke the bread and gave it and the fishes to his disciples to distribute among the multitude. Everyone ate and was filled.            When all had finished eating, Jesus said:            “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”            Therefore they gathered the remaining fragments and, with what was left over, filled twelve baskets....

Preach the message of repentance. Evangelism should not be asking questions in an attempt to educate or proselytize. Rather be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies in you. The gospel message is simple, but not easy. Jesus said, "Many are called, few are chosen." ***Ch. 35 – JESUS COMMISSIONS, EMPOWERS, AND SENDS FORTH THE TWELVE DISCIPLESJESUS went about among cities, villages, and in the country, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities among the people. When he saw the great multitudes who followed after him, he was moved with compassion; because he saw them faint, and observed that they were scattered, as sheep with no shepherd. To his disciples Jesus said: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Jesus gave the power to his twelve disciples to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness, disease, and infirmity. As the twelve went forth, Jesus instructed them, saying: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles. And into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, ’The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat.  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  Verily I say unto you, ‘It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city’.” “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.’ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your...

"Hear ye! Hear ye! The Kingdom of God is at hand."The message of Jesus was not popular with religious leaders; the same message preached by his disciples will not be popular either. Change is difficult. Listen closely to the instructions of Jesus. ***Ch. 35 – JESUS COMMISSIONS, EMPOWERS, AND SENDS FORTH THE TWELVE DISCIPLESJESUS went about among cities, villages, and in the country, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities among the people. When he saw the great multitudes who followed after him, he was moved with compassion; because he saw them faint, and observed that they were scattered, as sheep with no shepherd. To his disciples Jesus said: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Jesus gave the power to his twelve disciples to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness, disease, and infirmity. As the twelve went forth, Jesus instructed them, saying: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles. And into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, ’The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat.  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  Verily I say unto you, ‘It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city’.” “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.’ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very

The Words of Jesus make demands for our perfection. We expect ranking in tournaments or levels in video games but we tend to apply a magical interpretation to Christianity which ignores the instructions given by Christ. The mystery of the Kingdom of God is revealed as we obey; we are forgiven as we forgive; we are saved as we repent (change). We expect challenges in life. We should expect challenges in the Kingdom of God.***Ch. 35 – JESUS COMMISSIONS, EMPOWERS, AND SENDS FORTH THE TWELVE DISCIPLESJESUS went about among cities, villages, and in the country, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities among the people. When he saw the great multitudes who followed after him, he was moved with compassion; because he saw them faint, and observed that they were scattered, as sheep with no shepherd. To his disciples Jesus said: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Jesus gave the power to his twelve disciples to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness, disease, and infirmity. As the twelve went forth, Jesus instructed them, saying: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles. And into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, ’The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat.  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  Verily I say unto you, ‘It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city’.” “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.’ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which...

A change in direction happens in an instant; however, arriving at the destination you desire requires action. Daily action. It takes time to overcome the mess of living in error for years. Be patient. Keep the commandments. Never violate your conscience. Take time everyday to hear the voice of God. The discipline of change may be difficult, embrace it; knowing a relationship with God is worth every sacrifice you make. Lay down your life.  In the Scriptures Jesus says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”***Ch 34. - JESUS HEALS A LONG-SUFFERING WOMANAS JESUS had passed along on his way to the house of Jairus, great crowds had thronged about him. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered twelve years from a hemorrhage. Though she had spent all her money on physicians, none had cured her; instead, she had grown worse. She thought to herself: "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be healed." She pressed through the throng, came up behind Jesus and touched his garment. Immediately the flow of blood stopped, and she felt in her body that she was completely cured. Jesus turned and said: "Who touched me?" His disciples replied: "Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'" But Jesus said: "Somebody hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me." The woman knew that her act had not gone unnoticed. She came trembling up to Jesus and fell down before him. She declared to him before all the people why she had touched his garment and how she had been healed immediately. Jesus said to her: "Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace."***Scriptures:Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

Excerpted Scriptures formulated into "if, then" statements can hide the message Jesus came to reveal. It's the story of the gospel. We are privileged to have the testimonies of others in the Bible.  We can read the stories of those who succeeded in their walk of faith and of others.  We are called to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We can say we believe and we are Christians; however, what we truly believe is revealed by what we do. ***Ch 34. - JESUS HEALS A LONG-SUFFERING WOMANAS JESUS had passed along on his way to the house of Jairus, great crowds had thronged about him. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered twelve years from a hemorrhage. Though she had spent all her money on physicians, none had cured her; instead, she had grown worse. She thought to herself: "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be healed." She pressed through the throng, came up behind Jesus and touched his garment. Immediately the flow of blood stopped, and she felt in her body that she was completely cured. Jesus turned and said: "Who touched me?" His disciples replied: "Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'" But Jesus said: "Somebody hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me." The woman knew that her act had not gone unnoticed. She came trembling up to Jesus and fell down before him. She declared to him before all the people why she had touched his garment and how she had been healed immediately. Jesus said to her: "Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace."***Scriptures:Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:[email protected]

Jesus is not like us. We must take caution to mold our lives after Jesus; not mold Jesus after us. Examine the mind of Christ through his words and actions. Prophets were given for the time when communication with God was limited. Jesus instructed, "Keep my commandments and my Father and I will teach you from the inside." No hierarchy in the Kingdom of God.***Ch. 33 - JESUS RAISES JAIRUS' DAUGHTERJAIRUS, a ruler of the synagogue, came and threw himself at Jesus' feet. He besought his aid, saying: "My little daughter, who is about twelve years old, lieth at the point of death. I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live." Jesus went with him, followed by many people. While on their was a person came to Jairus, saying: "Thy daughter is dead. Trouble not the Master." Jesus heard the message and said to Jairus: "Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made whole." When they arrived at the house, Jesus permitted none to enter with him except Peter, James, John, and the parents of the child. In the house many were weeping and wailing. Jesus said: "Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." They laughed at him scornfully, knowing that the girl was dead. Jesus put them all out. Jesus took the hand of the girl and said: "Maid, arise." Straightway the girl arose. The parents were astonished. Jesus instructed them to give the maiden something to eat, and he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. But his fame spread throughout the land. ***Scriptures:Ch. 33 Matthew 9:18, 19, 23-26; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41, 42, 49-56

Tradition is not truth. Examine "Who told you that." Historical Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Son of God, "All-knowing, all-powerful, all-present" - Is that true? Our job as Christians is not to evangelize through education and/or declarative statements. Jesus says, "My church is built on revelation." Our witness is our life. We must strive to meet the expectations of Jesus. Our hands are His hands in the earth. Be honest. Be faithful. ***Ch. 32 - JESUS HEALS A GADARENEJESUS AND HIS disciples came to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes. As soon as Jesus was on the shore a man came to meet him, one who had been possessed of devils for a long time. He wore no clothes, and abode in no house, but in the tombs. No one could bind this man, not even with chains. It had often been tried, but he had broken the chains. No man could tame him. He spent his time both night and day in the mountains and tombs --crying loudly, and madly cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus he ran and fell down before him, and in a loud voice said: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." Jesus spoke, saying: "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." Then, to the man, Jesus said: "What is thy name?" The man answered: "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he asked Jesus not to send them out of the country. Near by a large herd of swine was feeding. The unclean spirits beseeched Jesus, saying: "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them." Jesus gave them permission; the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the entire herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea and drowned. The herdsmen fled and told what they had seen. Many came to see Jesus and found the demoniac, clothed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Those who had seen Jesus drive the unclean spirits from the man told the latest arrivals how the man had been cleansed and made sane. The Gadarenes were afraid and asked Jesus to leave their country. He started to enter his boat, when the man who had been cleansed of the unclean spirits asked to go with him. Jesus would not permit it, but said to the man, "Go hove to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." He who was healed departed and told in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done for him. All men marveled.***Scriptures: Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26-39

The reward of no effort is atrophy.  This is true physically, mentally and spiritually.  The result of effort in exercise is strength; in relationships is sustainability; and in obedience is regeneration.  We must strive to achieve the promises offered by God. The opportunity is not something we can earn but our effort is required to bring the promises to completion. Actions and inaction bring consequences. Jesus asked this question, "Why do you call me LORD and not do what I say?" Jesus did his part to open the door; we must do our part by entering in. Spiritual victories in daily life require change.***Ch. 32 - JESUS HEALS A GADARENEJESUS AND HIS disciples came to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes. As soon as Jesus was on the shore a man came to meet him, one who had been possessed of devils for a long time. He wore no clothes, and abode in no house, but in the tombs. No one could bind this man, not even with chains. It had often been tried, but he had broken the chains. No man could tame him. He spent his time both night and day in the mountains and tombs --crying loudly, and madly cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus he ran and fell down before him, and in a loud voice said: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." Jesus spoke, saying: "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." Then, to the man, Jesus said: "What is thy name?" The man answered: "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he asked Jesus not to send them out of the country. Near by a large herd of swine was feeding. The unclean spirits beseeched Jesus, saying: "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them." Jesus gave them permission; the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the entire herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea and drowned. The herdsmen fled and told what they had seen. Many came to see Jesus and found the demoniac, clothed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Those who had seen Jesus drive the unclean spirits from the man told the latest arrivals how the man had been cleansed and made sane. The Gadarenes were afraid and asked Jesus to leave their country. He started to enter his boat, when the man who had been cleansed of the unclean spirits asked to go with him. Jesus would not permit it, but said to the man, "Go hove to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." He who was healed departed and told in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done for him. All men marveled.***Scriptures: Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26-39

Revelation 14 - "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." The Spirit of God has not ceased to speak to His people since the Voice of God walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. The Scriptures record some of these conversations. God spoke to the people through Moses, through the Prophets, and through His Son (the Word made flesh). Jesus continued this communication to our day with the instruction, "Keep my commandments and the Father and I will come inside and lead and guide you - from the inside." Do you have faith?***Ch. 31 - JESUS STILLS THE STORMONE DAY Jesus said to his disciples: "Let us go over unto the other side of the lake." They launched forth in a ship and other little ships sailed with them. There arose a great storm which lashed the waves and beat them so so high that they broke over the ship. The boat rapidly filled with water while Jesus slept on a pillow in the stern. As they were in great peril, his disciples wakened Jesus, saying: "Lord, save us! We perish!" Jesus arose, saying: "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Then Jesus rebuked the winds and said to the sea: "Peace, be still." The wind ceased and the sea grew calm. Jesus said to his disciples: "Why are ye fearful? Have ye not yet faith?" The disciples were afraid and wondering. They said to one another: "What manner of man is is this? For he commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey him.***Scriptures: Matthew 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

Jesus came to reveal His Father, not to replace Him; and to restore communication to an internal, individual matter. No longer would a physical temple or a Levitical priesthood be required for people to meet with God. The plan of Jesus was to put his commandments into our heart.  Our obedience (keeping the commandments) opens communication with the Spirit of God. Man is where the Spirit of God desires to reside.  Jesus Christ, our High Priest, always obeyed His Father – we should do the same. ***Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in ParablesA NET (Matt 13:47-53)            Jesus likened the kingdom of Heaven to a net, saying:             “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind—which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.  There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”            Then Jesus said:            “Have ye understood all these things?”            The people answered:            “Yes, Lord.”            Jesus said to them:            “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Effort is required to obtain the salvation we seek. We should expect opposition. Our obligation is to dispense with false doctrines to make room for the doctrine of Jesus Christ. The exercise of power [grace] that makes the Christian super-human in this world should not give us a false notion that we are righteous enough to receive such power, or even loved enough to receive the privilege, but we should see it as our duty to exercise it. Our obedience opens the communication of daily instruction. In this way, we work hand-in-hand with our God on His redemption plan. ***Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in ParablesTHE COSTLY PEARL (Matt. 13:45, 46)            Jesus told another parable to teach his listeners what the kingdom of Heaven is. He said:            “Again, he kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls—who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, as bought it.”A NET (Matt 13:47-53)            Jesus likened the kingdom of Heaven to a net, saying:             “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind—which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.  There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”            Then Jesus said:            “Have ye understood all these things?”            The people answered:            “Yes, Lord.”            Jesus said to them:            “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

The barrier in communication is not linguistic, Jesus spoke the languages of His day. The barrier is our ability to understand. We are handicapped by our sins, the sins of society, and the corruption in modern Christianity. The good news is the way is still open, understanding still obtainable, communication still possible. ***Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in ParablesA MUSTARD SEED (Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19)            Then Jesus, speaking another parable, likened the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows from a small grain into a large plant:            “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. But when it is sown, it growth up, and becometh greater than all hers, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” LEAVEN (Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:20, 21)            Then Jesus compared the kingdom of Heaven with leaven, saying:             “The kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”THE HIDDEN TREASURE (Matt. 13:44)            Jesus spoke another parable, likening the kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure.  He said:             “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field-which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”THE COSTLY PEARL (Matt. 13:45, 46)            Jesus told another parable to teach his listeners what the kingdom of Heaven is. He said:            “Again, he kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls—who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, as bought it.”A NET (Matt 13:47-53)            Jesus likened the kingdom of Heaven to a net, saying:             “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind—which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.  There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”            Then Jesus said:            “Have ye understood all these things?”            The people answered:            “Yes, Lord.”            Jesus said to them:            “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

The goal is to reinforce Christianity with the wisdom and words of Jesus. Examine His life, His friends, and His relationship with His father as recorded in the four gospels of the Scriptures. These written accounts are a gift from God; called to the remembrance of the apostles. Here's what Jesus said, "...If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe." John 14***Ch. 30 - Jesus Teaches the Kingdom in ParablesTHE SEED (Mark 4:36-29)            Jesus spoke another parable, saying:             “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”A MUSTARD SEED (Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19)            Then Jesus, speaking another parable, likened the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows from a small grain into a large plant:            “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. But when it is sown, it growth up, and becometh greater than all hers, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” LEAVEN (Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:20, 21)            Then Jesus compared the kingdom of Heaven with leaven, saying:             “The kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”THE HIDDEN TREASURE (Matt. 13:44)            Jesus spoke another parable, likening the kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure.  He said:             “Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field-which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”THE COSTLY PEARL (Matt. 13:45, 46)            Jesus told another parable to teach his listeners what the kingdom of Heaven is. He...