Oct 26
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October 26, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Instructions on church discipline; Matthew 18:15-20 BBE Matthew 18: 15 And if your brother does wrong to you, go, make clear to him his error between you and him in private: if he gives ear to you, you have got your brother back again. 16 But if he will not give ear to you, take with you one or two more, that by the lips of two or three witnesses every word may be made certain. 17 And if he will not give ear to them, let it come to the hearing… Read more »
Sep 20
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docbob added a text contribution To sin or to tempt?September 20, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parable about the lost sheep; Matthew 18:12-14 Matthew 18:14 ISV (14) In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost." This verse picks up from where we left off yesterday. As you remember, Jesus promised a punishment for those who cause another to be tempted. Now we have the parable of the Lost sheep. I never tied the two together before but it is so like our Father in heaven… Read more »
Sep 19
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docbob added a text contribution Causing others temptationSeptember 19, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Warnings about stumbling blocks; Matthew 18:7-11; Mark 9:43-50 Matthew 18:7 (Amplified Bible) 7Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes! Sometimes verses just kind of jump at you. Some verses kinda sit there at surprise you when you are not looking. As I prepared for this devotional, this was the lat… Read more »
Sep 16
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September 16, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: John's zeal without understanding; Mark 9:38-42; Luke 9:49-50 You know the old statement 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' But is it really true. Sometimes, the person that you perceive to be the enemy is actually the friend. Years ago after I first moved to Oklahoma, and as a baby Christian I started going to a Baptist church. My whole reason for going, they had the time that services met posted on the sign in front. I… Read more »
Sep 1
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docbob added a text contribution Being FirstSeptember 1, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Disciples argue about who is the greatest; Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48 Mark 9:35 ESV (35) And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Years ago I attended a real small church. Only 3 staff members and they all ran a print shop part time to keep the church running. While it had a limited membership it was a church with ideals and a… Read more »
Aug 21
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docbob added a text contribution Offending ChristiansAugust 20, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus pays Temple tax with a miracle; Matthew 17:24-27 Matthew 17:24-27 NET (24) The Temple Tax After they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Your teacher pays the double drachma tax, doesn't he?" (25) He said, "Yes." When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tolls or taxes — from their son… Read more »
Aug 19
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August 19, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus discusses his death; Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45 Luke 9:44-45 ESV (44) "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." (45) But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. How much is God willing to give us if we just ask? Here Jesus is on His way… Read more »
Aug 18
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docbob added a text contribution Mustard Seed FaithAugust 18, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Disciples ask about the miracle; Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 9:28-29 Matthew 17:19-20 BBE 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, Why were we not able to send it out? 20 And he says to them, Because of your little faith: for truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Be moved from this place to that; and it will be moved; and nothing will be impossible to you. I bought for my daugh… Read more »
Aug 11
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docbob added a text contribution Faith YellingAugust 11, 2009 August 7, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Demon is cast out of boy; Matthew 17:14-18; Mark 9:14-27; Luke 9:37-43 Mark 9:19 BBE 19 And he said to them in answer, O generation without faith, how long will I have to be with you? how long will I put up with you? let him come to me. Jesus seems to be really angry here. He is chewing out a man for wanting his son to be healed. If that is the case, then why should I ask for healing for my children or even for me. But that is… Read more »
Aug 7
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docbob added a text contribution Seeing what we want to seeAugust 7, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Elijah discussed while descending; Matthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13 While receiving council from a man of God recently we talked about how people will often look for things and see them the way they want to. For example, if I think my boss is out to get me, then I will see those things in him that help mu opinion and disregard all the rest. It does not matter that the reality is that he may be trying to help me, I see the other. This was true in Je… Read more »
Aug 6
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docbob added a text contribution Shut up and listenAugust 5, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: The Transfiguration; Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36 Matthew 17:4-5 ISV 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it's good that we're here! If you want, I will set up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. Keep on listening to him!” To often, like Peter, we… Read more »
Aug 4
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docbob added a text contribution From hero to zeroAugust 4, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus rebukes Peter; Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:18-27 Peter goes from hero to zero real fast. One moment Jesus is telling Peter that Jesus will build His church on Peter. The next moment: Matthew 16:23 MKJV (23) But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men. Why the change? We often like to live in the praise of the moment. It puf… Read more »
Jul 31
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docbob added a text contribution Who do you say Jesus is?July 31, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ; Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30 Matthew 16:13-15 MKJV (13) And coming into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say Me to be, the Son of Man? (14) And they said, Some say, John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. (15) He said to them, But who do you say I am? There is a big difference between head and heart knowledge. From Jes… Read more »
Jul 30
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docbob added a text contribution A little at a timeJuly 30, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Blind man cured in Bethsaida; Mark 8:22-26 Mark 8:22-26 (NIV) 22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's… Read more »
Jul 29
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docbob added a text contribution What leven is in your life?July 29, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Leaven of the Pharisees; Matthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:13-21 The disciples take Jesus on the boat again and when they get across they realize they did not bring any food. Jesus then says something strange to them. Matthew 16:6 ISV 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” The disciples look at each other and start saying to each other how they messed it up. They must have figured that Jesus was upset with… Read more »
Jul 28
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docbob added a text contribution Do you make others jump through hoops?July 28, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Pharisees seek a sign; Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-13 Matthew 16:1-4 (MSG) 1 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. 2 He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor's delight; 3 red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather-why can't you read the signs of the times? 4 An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wo… Read more »
Jul 15
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docbob added a text contribution CompassionJuly 15, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus feeds 4,000; Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-10 Mark 8:2 MKJV (2) I have compassion on the crowd because they have now been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. Compassion, interesting word. Dictionary.com defines it as: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Jesus lived His life that way. How do we live it? Do we walk in compassion?… Read more »
Jul 14
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docbob added a text contribution Divine Healing - Why?July 14, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Many healed on a mountain; Matthew 15:29-31 Matthew 15:31 BBE (31) So that the people were full of wonder when they saw that those who had no voice were talking, the feeble were made strong, those whose bodies were broken had the power of walking, and the blind were able to see: and they gave glory to the God of Israel. In the past I have been asked why I believe in divine healing. Why would God want to heal people today? It is simple. It gives… Read more »
Jul 11
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docbob added a text contribution The touch of JesusJuly 11, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus heals a deaf man; Mark 7:31-37 Mark 7:32 BBE 32 And they came to him with one who had no power of hearing and had trouble in talking; and they made a request to him to put his hands on him. So often we beg and plead to God to deliver us from this or that. We want some special person to pray for us, or want a sign from God to show he is there. I know that I have been like that in my life. The people in today's story knew better. Jes… Read more »
Jul 10
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docbob added a text contribution Ever been called a dog?July 10, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Gentile woman's faith; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 Mark 7:27-28 CEV (27) But Jesus said, "The children must first be fed! It isn't right to take away their food and feed it to dogs." (28) The woman replied, "Lord, even dogs eat the crumbs that children drop from the table." A woman asks for help and Jesus insults her by comparing her to a dog. Yet she gets what she wants. Why? Faith! She wants her daughter he… Read more »
Jul 9
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docbob added a text contribution The cause of marrige problemsJuly 9, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parable explained in private; Matthew 15:12-20; Mark 7:17-23 Matthew 15:19-20 CEV (19) Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. (20) These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God. My church has been doing a series on the family while our pastor was out with surgery. Many of the other people in t… Read more »
Jul 8
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docbob added a text contribution Its only words...July 8, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Traditions of men rebuked; Matthew 15:1-11; Mark 7:1-16 Words are powerful, words can hurt. We should always be careful of what we say and what we do. I know of a denomination that puts priority on what you eat to be what shows you are a Christian. They site Old Testament law to back them up. But Jesus made it quite clear what kept you apart from God. Mark 7:15 CEV (15) The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unf… Read more »
Jul 4
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docbob added a text contribution Freedom DecisionJuly 4, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Bread of Life discourse; John 6:22-7:1 Here in the United States of America we celebrate today at Independence Day. In 1776 the people of this country decided to go to war to secure their freedom. In Jesus day, the disciples were faced with a choice for their freedom as well. Jesus talked about how He was the bread of life and how the people that were to come to Him must eat His flesh and drink His blood. They did not fully understand the symboli… Read more »
Jul 3
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docbob added a text contribution Seeing JesusJuly 3, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Healings in Gennesaret; Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56 Mark 6:54-55 ESV (54) And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him (55) and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. Do people look at you and see Jesus in you? Do you know how to know if they do? Do they tell others about you and how you have helped them. Do people come to rely on you for things.… Read more »
Jul 2
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docbob added a text contribution Peter and FaithJuly 2, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Peter walks on water, then sinks; Matthew 14:28-33 Matthew 14:30 KJV (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Our story today deals with good old Peter. While many talk about his lack of faith, as he started to walk on the water and then failed, I do not see it as a lack of faith. But I get ahead of myself. Recently when I was listening to my MP3 player on the way home from… Read more »