Genesis 1:26-27 NIV"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."Identity issues are a univer...  Read More

Faith, Trust, and Hope: Concluding Reflections on the Gospel of MarkMark 11:24 NIV24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.As we come to the conclusion of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, let's reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and hope that permeate this profound Gospel account. Mark's portrayal of Jesus challenge...  Read More

Embracing Love and Service: Lessons from Mark's Gospel1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perse...  Read More

The Relevance of Mark's Gospel for Today's BelieversGalatians 6:9 NIV9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.As we journey through the Gospel of Mark, it's essential to consider its relevance for believers today. Despite being written over two millennia ago, Mark's Gospel continues to speak to the challenges, doubts, and joys face...  Read More

Understanding Jesus' Death and Passion in MarkMark 15:39 NIV39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[a] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”In this installment of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we look into the profound significance of Jesus' death and passion. Mark's account of Christ's sacrificial love reveals the heart of God and offers h...  Read More

Discipleship Principles in the Gospel of MarkMark 8:34-37 NKJV34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man...  Read More

The Deity and Power of JesusPsalm 103:1-5 NKJVBless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that yo...  Read More

 Introduction to the Gospel of MarkMark 10:45 NIVFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.Welcome to our journey through the Gospel of Mark. In this series, we'll dive deep into the insights and messages of this profound Gospel account. As we embark on this exploration, let's first lay the groundwork by understanding the context and...  Read More

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 ESVThe scribes and pharisees received a pretty harsh, yet a much deserved rebuke. The problem that Jesus had with the pharisees seemed to be an issue of pride. They wanted all the attention on themselves. They wanted all their good deeds to be seen b...  Read More

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”James 2:17 is one of the scriptures that I hear used out of context more than any other. You hear many Christians throw around “faith without works is dead” without understanding the context and the type of work James was referring to. You can better understand the context of this statement if you begin at the end of chapter 1: “Religio...  Read More

“And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.” Matthew 14:34 ESVAlthough Jesus and His disciples landed and anchored at Gennesaret, this was not the original plan. Mark 6:45 tells this exact story, but with more details— including the small detail that they were originally heading towards Bethsaida. Bethsaida, like Gennesaret, was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, but th...  Read More

Whatever Jesus said or did, they took the opposite view. They were skeptical because He challenged their comfortable lives.Just verses before Jesus makes this statement, He compared the entire generation to children calling to their playmates saying, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.” (Matthew 11:16-17)What exactly does this mean? Just a l...  Read More

Shortly before Moses laid his hands on Joshua and commissioned him, Moses prayed to the Lord:“May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Numbers 27:15-17 ESV1) Moses had compassion for the multitude.2...  Read More

Take a look at the following verses and compare them.“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 ESVThese commands, a...  Read More

In the 13th verse of the second chapter, God sends an angel to warn Joseph of Herod’s plan to kill Jesus. Joseph heeds God’s warning and flees to Egypt. In verse 19, an angel appears once again and Joseph obeys the Word of the Lord again. In verse 22, however, Joseph uses common sense, “he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there”. We see...  Read More

Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us of God's sovereignty and His good plans for our lives, offering hope and assurance in uncertain times. God's faithfulness throughout my life, has reminded me of His unwavering commitment to guide and provide for His chil...  Read More

Psalm 37:4"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."This verse reminds us of the intimate relationship between delighting in the Lord and experiencing the fulfillment of our deepest desires.Reflecting on my journey of faith, I've discovered the profound truth embedded in this Psalm. As I've sought to delight myself in the Lord—to find my joy and satisfaction in...  Read More

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Over the past year, my perspective has shifted from questioning God's actions to seeking His purpose in every situation. I've learned to embrace closed doors as opportunities for God's blessings and divine redirection, trusting that H...  Read More

James 4:6-8 NKJV”But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.“In these verses from James 4:6-8, I am reminded of the importance of humility and submissio...  Read More

Proverbs 16:9 NKJV"A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."As I explore the concept of divine guidance, I am drawn to Proverbs 16:9, which underscores the sovereignty of God over my life. Despite my best efforts to plan my path, I realize the necessity of surrendering to God's direction.Reflecting on personal experiences, I recall instances where trusting in God's guidance led...  Read More

Nehemiah 8:10”'the joy of the Lord is your strength.'“Reflecting on my own experiences, I've come to realize the transformative power of joy is only found in a deep relationship with Jesus. I've learned that genuine joy stems from intimacy with God, contrasted with fleeting happiness which is based on worldly circumstances. Nehemiah's declaration of the joy of the Lord being our strength serves as...  Read More

Philippians 2:8 NKJV”And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.“As I ponder the significance of humility, I'm struck by Jesus' obedience even unto death. His example challenges me to submit to God's will and surrender my own desires, recognizing His sovereignty over my life. The sacrifice of Jesus, who humbled ...  Read More

 John 3:16 NIV16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 beautifully encapsulates the depth of God's love for humanity, revealing His willingness to sacrifice His only Son for the redemption of mankind. This profound act of love demonstrates the immeasurable worth and significance that God places on...  Read More

Joshua 1:9 NIV9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.Joshua's commission to be strong and courageous serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence and provision in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Joshua was assured of God's faithfulness, knowing that He wou...  Read More