out of the comfort zone

Matthew 15:21

"Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon."

Our study of Women of Faith in the Holy Bible has helped us to understand that it is the unsung heroes that maintain our FAITH. They simply and humbly do what they do for the GLORY of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is becoming clear that GOD is looking at our TEMPER and CHARACTER. With GOD it is always a heart issue. GOD sees our motivation and thoughts. GOD calls us to do His work in our world.

When we live in FAITH according to GOD'S plan we benefit from HIS GRACE, COMPASSION & GOODNESS. Our work and our words should always praise the Lord! Throughout the Holy Bible we see the results of God's Abundant Mercy. This week we catch up with Jesus after He has performed miracles that have once again raised the anger of the Pharisees. To the Disciples their current journey looks like they are withdrawing from conflict with the Jewish leadership. Putting them on the road OUT of Israel toward the ancient port cities of Tyre and Sidon. This is a place inhabited and ruled by Gentiles because in the Old Testament days Israel failed to conquer Sidon as they claimed the Promised Land. Ever since then, Tyre and Sidon have been thorns in the side of Israel and often led them into idolatry. We should appreciate that the Disciples would have been a little stressed in this situation...

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to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...

we also...

Romans 6:3&4 "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." In our studies we are striving to understand God’s love and care. God's unconditional love for His followers, appreciating that we are part of GOD’S family! God is with us from cradle to grave. His divine presence is always giving us purpose and guidance. One of the most important milestones in the life of a Christian is baptism. When we are baptized, an indelible mark is made on our soul. This mark signifies a permanent transformation and dedication of the individual to God. The act of Baptism involves water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity. This ritual is seen as a symbolic washing away of original sin and a new birth into the life of Christ. Baptism is a foundational s...

in roads

Acts 2:7&8 "7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" The Holy Ghost is the only way this happens. They were very surprised to be hundreds and, some cases, thousands of miles from "home" and hearing their language spoken! It was astonishing! Appreciate that these devout Jewish people whose families had been carried away from Israel generations before. Taken in captivity by armies that invaded and conquered Israel. (A little like Joseph was taken captive to Egypt. All by God's plan to save the Israelites during a time of famine.) Over the years, these Jewish "captives" would adopt the language and some of the customs of their captors. However, they remained Jewish. By the time of the events recorded in the book of Acts, they made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Weeks. They just happe...

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