| Through Stories - Mark 12:1 Jesus used stories to teach the people. Jesus said ... (ERV) Key Thought Jesus knew the power of special stories -- often called parables. He used them frequently to help convey deep messages that he wanted his followers to remember. These stories would lodge in Jesus' listeners' minds. His lessons would be recalled as they saw those images in everyday life. We must never underestimate the importance of stories to convey the truth of God. Not only did Jesus use them, but much of the Bible contains them. Let's ask God to help us hear his voice in the stories of Jesus and the stories of the Bible. Let's thank God for giving so much of his message in stories that we can easily remember and then put to use in everyday life. Today's Prayer O Father, thank you for the variety of ways you have communicated your message to us. While I know that Jesus is your ultimate message, I also know that you spoke through prophetic oracles, through Laws, through wisdom messages, through the Psalms, and through your actions in history interpreted by your messengers. Please be with me as I open your Word and seek your will. Thank you for speaking to us, your human children, in so many ways. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen. Today's Verses in Context Jesus used stories to teach the people. Jesus said, "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around the field and dug a hole for a wine press. Then the man built a tower. He leased the land to some farmers. Then he left for a trip. Later, it was time for the grapes to be picked. So the man sent a servant to the farmers to get his share of the grapes. But the farmers grabbed the servant and beat him. They sent the servant away with nothing. Then the man sent another servant to the farmers. The farmers hit this servant on the head. They showed no respect for him. So the man sent another servant. The farmers killed this servant. The man sent many other servants to the farmers. The farmers beat some of the servants and killed the others. "The man had one person left to send to the farmers. This person was his son. The man loved his son. But he decided to send the son to the farmers. The son was the last person he could send. The man said, 'The farmers will respect my son.' "But the farmers said to each other, 'This is the owner's son. This vineyard will be his. If we kill him, then it will be ours.' So the farmers took the son, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. "So what will the man that owns the vineyard do? He will go to the vineyard and kill those farmers. Then he will lease the land to other farmers. Surely you have read this Scripture : 'The stone that the builders did not want became the cornerstone. The Lord did this, and it is wonderful to us.'" These Jewish leaders heard this story that Jesus told. They knew that this story was about them. So they wanted to find a way to arrest Jesus. But they were afraid of the people. So the Jewish leaders left Jesus and went away. — Mark 12:1-12 (ERV) Jesus taught the people from the boat. Jesus used many stories to teach them. He said, Mark 4:2 (ERV) Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was there with God. The Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. All things were made through him (the Word). Nothing was made without him. In him there was life. That life was light (understanding, goodness) for the people of the world. John 1:1-4 (ERV) In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. God spoke to them many times and in many different ways. And now in these last days God has spoken to us again. God has spoken to us through his Son. God made the whole world through his Son. And God has chosen his Son to have all things. The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God's nature. The Son holds everything together with his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of the Great One (God) in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3 (ERV) |
| Verse Of The Day |
| And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. -- Luke 8:21 |
| Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8, New International Version |
| Daily Wisdom |
| 1-2 Tishrei The Jewish New Year Day of Judgment for the entire world. Extended, special synagogue services and blowing of the ram's horn - Shofar. Start of Ten Days of Repentance. Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like restrictions on work both days in both Israel and the diaspora. |
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| I love the simple truth that Jesus uses. You want to be known as a part of Jesus' family? Obey his Father's word and live his Father's will! |
| Bless me today, dear Heavenly Father, with the clarity to see the opportunities you have placed in my way to live in obedience to your will. However, dear Father, I don't want this clarity to be a fleeting thing. Help me be more aware of the opportunities you place in my path every day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. |
| Prayer |
| ENTRUSTED WITH FAITH 2 Timothy 1:11-14 Dear Father, Give me great faith. Help me know whom I have believed and absolutely know that you are able to guard until that Day what I have entrusted to you and what you have entrusted to me. Thank you for the salvation and holy calling that you have given me. This was not in virtue of my goodness but in virtue of your own purpose and grace. This is what you gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago and have now manifested in the appearing of Christ upon earth. In his name I pray. Amen. |
| Praying With Paul |
| Thought on The Verse of The Day |
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- We will be having the next house church at Pat and Eddies house. To get directions, go to the Services
page and there is a place to get the directions from your home. - Pat and Eddie will be having house church this Friday at 7:00pm. You can see their page on this website
under other ministries. - Living Stone ministry is in the process of setting up a website so I am looking forward to seeing it!
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| Notes |
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