Lesson for 5/1

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 17:1-10. Its titled "Increased Faith" Verse 1 begins with Jesus talking to His disciples, He says "There will always be offenses and temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the one who does the tempting!" 2 "It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a milestone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 "So watch yourselves! If another believer sins against you, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive." Very powerful set of verses so far! Jesus expresses the weight of us knowing better, and causing those that may be less fortunate or who knows less, to fall into sin. So far it also expresses how we should rebuke, or correct each other as believers in love; and forgive! Verse 4, "Even if a person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." After reading this, I look at society and the world today; when wronged, people often adapt the notion of revenge or getting even. As believers, some of us even struggle in this area as well. Verse 5-6, the apostles said to the Lord. "Show us how to increase our faith." The Lord answered,, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!" - If you recall in our previous lessons, we spoke about simple faith being powerful faith! As Jesus said in this verse..It doesn't always require an impossible amount a faith to witness miracles and draw closer to God; small faith! The lesson goes on with verse 7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."  - As I reflect on this, I think of a similar analogy of how an employee is on a job and getting paid to do that job, but expects recognition or a raise for something they are already supposed to be doing. Jesus is telling US that we should consider ourselves unworthy servants who have simply done our duty. When we attend church, Bible study, or do good deeds - we shouldn't expect a handout or a blessing from God; this is what we are SUPPOSED to do as believers. Its amazing when we praise God and He showers us with blessings; but the expectation for praising Him should not be for what we can get out of it, but its all for His Glory, and its what He expects of us. Understanding this and forgiving others as God forgives us will help us Increase Our Faith!

Thanks for reading, God bless!

Lesson for 4/24

Hello all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 15:11-24. Its titled "A Family Reunion" This is  a very familiar set of scriptures, as these particular versus focus on the story of the prodigal son. To provide a setting, flipping back to verse 1 of Luke 15: "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them"?? Jesus then told them a parable (or story) - As we approach verse 11 we find that by now Jesus is preparing to tell His third parable, which leads into the lesson for tomorrow! The two sons; the younger son told his Father to "give me the portion of goods that belong to me" The father did, and so the younger son left home, the Bible says in verse 13 that he went to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. When he ran out of money he persuaded a local farmer to hire him in his fields to feed the pigs. Ver 16-17 says "The young man became so hungry that event the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and I am here dying of hunger!" So the young son returns home to his father. Verse 21 brings out how the young son felt he was unworthy of being called his son, as he sinned against heaven and his father. But in verse 22, instead of anger or scorning his son, the father instructs the servants to bring the finest robe, put a ring on his finger, sandals for his feet. They killed the fatted calf and began to celebrate, why? verse 24 "for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found, so the celebration began!" The lesson ends there, however there are several points I'd like to bring out. We all struggle, we fall short, mess up, fade away, and may even turn our backs completely on our faith; and when we do "come to our senses" as the young son did in verse 17, we often feel a sense of guilt or unworthiness. The reason Jesus is telling this parable is because, just as the Father of this young son is forgiven and welcomed back rejoicingly; expresses how our Heavenly Father forgives and welcomes us back as well! I found SUPREME encouragement in reading the 2 parables before this prior to this one. The first one (Ver 7) ends with "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over ONE sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Amazing!! - check ver. 10. "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over ONE sinner who repents." That's a blessing and a joy to read! Each and every ONE of us are unique and special to God! When we repent (Which means not only to ask for forgiveness, but to also turn away from sin) - Heaven rejoices! God, our Father, just as the father of the young son in this lesson, welcomes us back and is ready to love and continue to use us for His glory!

Im thrilled!!! Again, the lesson ends at verse 24, however I encourage you to get an even deeper revelation for yourself. The scriptures following verse 24 mention the negative feelings the older son felt toward his father and younger brother. (Some of us probably could relate) I was in church 2 Sunday's ago and heard one of the most powerful messages focusing on the older son. I found it amazing that God allowed me to hear that sermon, then 2 weeks later summarize this Sunday School lesson! Check out the recording of Pastor Kyle of Victory Church at - http://victorystartshere.tv/2016/04/please-dont-stop-the-music/

Thanks for reading all! God loves you and I do too!

Keep Faith and stay blessed!

Lesson for 4/17

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 8:26-39. Its titled, "A Sound Mind" Before diving in to the book of Luke, take a moment to pause and meditate on the title itself. What is a sound mind to you? One scripture to reflect on without diving in too deeply is 2 Timothy 1:7. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." As we go through life today, when things hit the fan, we often forget to remember this scripture. When feeling fearful, uneasy, doubtful, unloving, and not at peace, we must realize that this is not of God, but its the enemy whom is at work. As the lesson begins, Jesus in verse 27 is climbing out of the boat, "a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet Him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in  a cemetery outside of the town. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of Him. Then he screamed, Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don't torture me!" It goes on to say that "For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man..." Jesus demanded his name and the man replied "Legion", for he was filled with many demons." As you read on, the demons begin to beg Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. The Bible brings out that there were a herd of pigs nearby, so Jesus gave them permission to enter in to the pigs. The demons came out of the man and entered into the pigs and the entire herd plunged down in to the steep hillside and into the lake and drowned. Verses 35-36 says "People rushed out to see what happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed." As the scriptures conclude here, I found several fascinating points after reading. The first in verse 28, the demons knew who Jesus was! "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" They were fearful, and knew Jesus' power! Another point I found interesting was in verses 35-36. After the demons are casted out of the man, the Bible says he is fully clothed and in his right mind; the people that witnessed it, although they were afraid; They then went and told others how this man has been healed, how he was once demon-possessed, but now in a sound mind! As we reflect today, we can find and trust that God can keep us in our right minds. May we keep faith and be a witness to others from where and what we have been delivered from!

To God be the glory!
Stay blessed, leave a comment, thanks for reading!

Lesson for 4/10

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 7:36-50. Its titled "A reversal of shame" The scriptures begin in verse 36 "One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”  And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

What encouragement we get from these set of scriptures! Our Faith saves us!

God bless!

Lesson for 4/3

Hey all! The Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 7:1-10, its titled "Renewed Health" The lesson reads in verse 1: "When Jesus had finished saying this to the people, he returned to Capernaum." Curiously, I looked back at chapter 6 to find out what Jesus was saying to the people listening before he entered.  Interestingly, Luke 6:47-49, Jesus is telling them "Whoever comes to Me and hears and does what I say, I will show you who he is like. He is like a man who built a house. He dug deep to put the building on rock. When the water came up and the river beat against the house, the building could not be shaken because it was built on rock. But he who hears and does not do what I say, is like a man who built a house on nothing but earth. The water beat against the house. At once it fell and was destroyed.” - Powerful words; Now we are here in the city of Capernaum, also know as "a village of comfort" - A highly valued slave of a Roman officer is sick and near death. The Roman officer heard about Jesus and sent Jewish elders to ask Him to heal his slave. When the elders arrive to Jesus they express how the slave so much deserves to be healed due to his good deeds and love for the Jewish people. Jesus then agrees to go with them to see the sick slave. Just as they nearly arrived at the house, the Roman officer sent some friends to relay " “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed." What supreme faith this Roman officer had, he then says in verse 8 "I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” <--- (There is a deeper meaning here I believe, comment below with your thoughts!) Verse 9 and 10: "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following Him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”  And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed" Its a blessing to see how strong this mans faith was. The friends sent were describing the good deeds of the valuable slave, but it was the officer's genuine faith the enabled the miracle! Another point is the crowd following Jesus; they witnessed first hand as to what amazed and pleased Him. They saw the healing and reward of humble and genuine faith! May we today reflect on this and continue to trust and keep faith! Be a witness, pray for and visit those that may be sick.

To God be the glory!

Thanks for reading - leave a comment or question.

Lesson for 3/27

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Mark 16:1-8. Its titled "Resurrection Faith" As the lesson begins, we find that Jesus has already been crucified at this point. The scriptures as described by Mark begin with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, setting out early Sunday morning to anoint Jesus' body at the tomb with the burial spices they had purchased. These 3 women were devoted followers and supporters of Christ. Verse 3-4 says "On the way they were asking each other, "who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb? But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone which was very large, had been rolled aside." It says "when they entered the tomb they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the Angel said, "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body." Verse 7, the Angel tells the women to "go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died." To piggyback off of last weeks lesson, in which the discussion focused on the events leading up to the Jesus' death and how Peter denied Jesus. I found it fascinating that the Angel in today's lesson mentions to "include Peter" who broke down and wept after denying Jesus the third time. The Angel knew and stated what Jesus said to Peter and the disciples as previously in Mark 14:28. "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” - This took place, just as Jesus stated early on. We, as Christians should remember that we are included, and never forgotten. If there is a message, plan, word, or revelation that we were meant to hear - God is going to give it, show it and reveal it! The key is patience and trust! The lesson then ends in verse 8 where the women fled form the tomb, trembling in fear. As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may we reflect and find encouragement in these few scriptures:

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

2 Corinthians 5:25 "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved"

Acts 4:33 "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all."

Resurrection faith, is powerful faith - Unstoppable, pure and encouraging! I open the challenge to genuinely pray and meditate on what God has done for us. I often think about how at times I still have may hand out, expecting and looking for "things" from God - when in reality, I shouldn't because He has already given the most valuable gift of all - and that's salvation and eternal life, through His Son Jesus!

Faith is amazing!

Thanks for reading all - Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday! 

Lesson for 3/20

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Mark 14:26-31, 66-72. Its titled "Struggling Faith" To get an idea of the setting, the lesson focuses on the events leading to Jesus' Crucifixion. I encourage you to read the entire chapter 14 of Mark; but tomorrows lesson starts at verse 26, where we find Jesus and His disciples heading out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus says in verse 27 "All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say. 'God will strike the Shepard, and the sheep will be scattered.'" - Think of the analogy used, for without a Shepard, an actual herd of sheep wouldn't know what to do, they would run/flee in fear. That is what Jesus is saying His disciples will do during the events that will transpire that night.  Peter stops and says in verse 29 "Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will." Jesus replied and told Peter, "this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." No!" Peter declared emphatically. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" And all the others vowed the same. - The lesson then skips to verse 66; but to pause; As Christians we never set out to disappoint God. In Fact, most of us want to genuinely follow Christ and live to God's Glory. At times we often struggle with this as we will see Peter did. Back to the verses you will see that by now Jesus has been taken before the council. To provide a setting verse 54 says "Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.  Jesus' verdict is then made; Can you imagine Peter whom was outside in the courtyard hearing the people say and do all this to Jesus? "“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” "Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away." (Ver.65) Verses 66-72 says,  "One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth. But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”And he broke down and wept." The lesson ends there, as you can see, during times of persecution or hardship, its very easy for us to flee in fear and forget who we put our faith in. Its a struggle, even for Peter, a great man of action who witnessed Jesus' perform countless miracles first hand. Most Christians today wouldn't verbally deny God, but the honest reality is we often do by not denying our own flesh, sin and worldly desires. I for one can relate to how Peter feels when he realized what he done. Going from  saying "I would never do this or that!" to the conviction that sets in once I've done the very thing I vowed not to. Peter is eventually reconciled with Jesus after the resurrection, to not jump too far ahead "verse 28 of this very lesson said "But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there." Jesus said this right before Peter vowed he wouldn't desert Him, and what encouragement as next weeks lesson shows this very reunion! Regardless of being, we all struggle at times with our faith. The key, as mentioned in our previous lessons, is prayer. We cannot make it on our own, but with God, all things are possible.

Thanks for reading - God bless!