Arise and Abide

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 1:29-39 (NLT) ~Jesus Heals Many People, Jesus Preaches in Galilee~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The people being healed and delivered. The goodness of God in the personal touch to the call, witnessing and experiencing the messiah, and the example Jesus sets, the model to go out and share the good news. The mind frame shift of everything is not as important as we once thought, meaningless next to the Gospel.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 1:21-28 (NLT) ~Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Access to walk in the authority of Christ is only by surrender to Christ, its not about you. Jesus message of Good news spoken in authority. Sometimes people do not receive or recognize the power and authority of God, the enemy uses that as a tactic against people. Identity, power, and authority is found in surrender to God in the name of Jesus.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 1:16-20 (NLT) ~The First Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus’ call to the disciples required leaving something behind and required immediate action. When we go out into the world and wonder what God may want us to do out there, it is always something that is for relationship.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 1:9-15 (NLT) ~The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Self-evaluation. The burden we are under is not the oppression from other humans but the aftermath of the fall and centuries of us choosing for ourselves what is right. Recognition that God’s presence is with you right now. Eyes need to focus on the Good News and not our circumstance.

Reading from Psalms 1 (NLT) ~The Joy of Those Who Delight in the Law of the LORD~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God is love. The law of the LORD is love God & love People. Being a tree planted by the riverbank, made in the image of God and spiritual trees. The children of God are those who walk and live with their identity planted in the fact that they are made in the image of love.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 1:1-8 (NLT) ~John the Baptist Prepares the Way~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Johns messages relevance today. There is a call from God and we have an opportunity and responsibility to respond. Hiding behind or being distracted by the obstacles, our ability to clear the road is only by the power and strength of God.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 21:10-25 (NLT) ~Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples Conclusion~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The temptation to give up and go back to old routines, God provides. Jesus operating out of His Playbook, Peter acting out of his own. Jesus approaching the Disciples in a relational manner before bringing the challenge to grow.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 20:30-21:9 (NLT) ~Purpose of the Book, Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Referring to Thomas as the twin instead of “doubting Thomas”. Giving up on mission and returning to familiar tasks that take up their time. Jesus example of invitation and challenge with His disciples.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 20:19-29 (NLT) ~Jesus Appears to His Disciples, Jesus Appears to Thomas~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Where was Thomas? If we are not pressing in, we are falling away. Coming again specifically for Thomas, even with the doubts, Jesus is faithful to show up.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 20:11-18 NLT ~The Resurrection~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The extra helping Mary receives as she stays at the tomb. The Angels and Jesus ask Mary why she’s crying. Personal witness strengthens belief. The Rollercoaster of emotions Mary must have felt. Passing on the message plants seeds.