March 6
I have realized that many of you are reading the blog on your phones or IPADs, and may not have your bibles with you when you are reading this page.
So even though it takes much more space, I am going to post the scripture reading for you. I would still encourage you to read the scripture from your own Bible, if you can.
We are praying for the Lord to bless you abundantly!
today's reading: Mark 12:38-13:13
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
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These days there is a lot of emphasis on "Self-Image" and we see it everywhere! You can't escape the media telling you how important it is to be the best at everything you do, to look fabulous while you are doing it, and to stop at nothing to achieve success. People who are at the top of the social scale are often( not ALWAYS) aloof and self-serving. They care much about maintaining their image of perfection and superiority. These people dwell in the most beautiful and lavish homes, may have a cushy job, enjoy extravagant vacations in exotic locales, and consume the richest of foods.
But what does the Bible say about the real value of these things?
It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is a sin to spend the gift of life pursuing wealth only to use the resources on the pursuit of even more wealth.
We have an obligation........even a heavenly calling to help those in need, and those who are helpless throughout the world.
Most importantly, we have a calling.....to reach them with the love of Jesus Christ and the message of His salvation!
Please spend your resources... and your "self" on those things that will have eternal value! And determine that you will learn to be less of YOU, and more of Jesus Christ,
until His Image is imprinted on your heart and is visible in all that you do!
I have realized that many of you are reading the blog on your phones or IPADs, and may not have your bibles with you when you are reading this page.
So even though it takes much more space, I am going to post the scripture reading for you. I would still encourage you to read the scripture from your own Bible, if you can.
We are praying for the Lord to bless you abundantly!
today's reading: Mark 12:38-13:13
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
*****************************************************************************************
These days there is a lot of emphasis on "Self-Image" and we see it everywhere! You can't escape the media telling you how important it is to be the best at everything you do, to look fabulous while you are doing it, and to stop at nothing to achieve success. People who are at the top of the social scale are often( not ALWAYS) aloof and self-serving. They care much about maintaining their image of perfection and superiority. These people dwell in the most beautiful and lavish homes, may have a cushy job, enjoy extravagant vacations in exotic locales, and consume the richest of foods.
But what does the Bible say about the real value of these things?
It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is a sin to spend the gift of life pursuing wealth only to use the resources on the pursuit of even more wealth.
We have an obligation........even a heavenly calling to help those in need, and those who are helpless throughout the world.
Most importantly, we have a calling.....to reach them with the love of Jesus Christ and the message of His salvation!
Please spend your resources... and your "self" on those things that will have eternal value! And determine that you will learn to be less of YOU, and more of Jesus Christ,
until His Image is imprinted on your heart and is visible in all that you do!
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