ONE MESSAGE. ONE FAITH.

Mark 2:1-2 KJV And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. So Why the gathering? Because the presence of God comes in the house at the gathering of believers. Matthew 18:20 Because we are healed in the gathering of believers. Luke 6:19 Because the Word is preached in the gathering of believers. Mark 2:2 Because we are commanded- for instruction, for edification, for encouragement- to gather even more as the day of the Lord approaches, with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 Because, consider a lone body part; we cannot, I repeat, cannot grow, separated from gathering with other believers. Ephesians 4:11-15 We MUST gather. Hebrews 10:24-26 CEV 24  And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds.   25  Don’t s...

Luke 3:7-14 NLT   When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, ...Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?   8  Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.... 10  The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 11  John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12  Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13  He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14  “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” True repentance is more than a inside-the-heart feeling. It's an action of turning away from old ...

Luke 5:4-5   Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. The Bible Series Here, Jesus just finished preaching a sermon from the hull of Simon's boat. Simon, however, was certainly not prepared for what Jesus would say next. Jesus was done speaking to the crowd, but now He was speaking a personal Word to Simon. "Launch out into the deep..." He says.  Jesus was right to expect that Simon, after hearing the Word, would respond by faith to his instruction.  The Bible Series Yet.... How did Simon respond?  "...We have toiled all night and have taken nothing" he says. He speaks in doubt instead of acting  out faith.  The Word of God tells us in Romans 10:17,  So then  faith  cometh  by   hea...

Luke 21:12-15 Solomon said it once: "The race is not given to the swift,  neither to the strong. Ecclesiastes 9:11. Jesus himself said that "he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22. The key to endurance in this race is faith in God. If we believe that He is who He says, and will therefore do what only God can do,  then it is easy to endure. Hebrews 11:6. Paul in Acts 21:13 was willing not only to be bound,  but to die for the gospels sake. He knew to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8.  Can I make this same proclamation?  Only with enduring faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Nevertheless at thy word, I will Luke 5:6 Jesus asked Simon to let down a net for fish. Peter replied that they had been working for the purpose all night without success. I don't know how many times they let down the net. But all night is all night. Peter was a professional, so I am sure he employed his expertise when he went for fish. Now here Jesus tells him to do what he knew he had already done. What was the difference? It was spoken by the Lord. The mere fact at God's word being God's word settled it for Peter. He didn't fully understand, but he knew the credibility of the Lord. He simply believed that what He said would be. "Never the less, at your word, I will..." was Peter's response. He had to let go of logic and what "made sense" and simply trust God. It is in this same vein that God wants us to come to Him- as little children (Eph. 5:1)- simply trusting, beyond our understanding. When we take God at His Word- and simply believe, we w...

" The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times'." - Luke 22:61 There were many things that caught my attention as I read through the passage for this day. I journaled my thoughts, and this note I jotted down is worth sharing. What was Jesus thinking when he looked at Peter, Luke 22:61 , after Peter denied him the third time and the cock ( rooster) crowed? What does God's gaze imply when he is looking at us? A lot can be said with the eyes. Yes I want God to gaze on me, but I want that look to be one of endearment and not one of sadness at the choices I make from moment to moment in each day. So what do you think Jesus' eyes were saying?

Luke 19-20 (NKJV) My thoughts: The story of Zacchaeus is the story of salvation in a nutshell. Zacchaeus seeks the Lord, and his seeking get's God's attention. This is resounded in the scripture that says " draw near to God and he will draw near to you" ( James 4:8 ). My attention peaked when I read Jesus' response to Zacchaeus' effort -- "Jesus Came to the place". It reminds us that Jesus will meet us halfway, if you will, when we make the effort of coming to him. Not only did Jesus come to where he was, he then invited Zacchaeus to come where Jesus stood. When he says to Zacchaeus that this day is salvation come to his house it was both literal and spiritual. Jesus, whose name means, Jehovah our salvation, was going to stay at Zaccheaus's house. His staying at his house is also reminiscent of the passage that says , " Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will ...