Podcasts about 8when

Intro:  In my research interviews with Millennials, I quickly discovered that they will not invest their time, talent, or treasure in something that won't make a difference in this world. My researched revealed that they desire to be part of something bigger than them. I believe that this desire is more common than we think. Let me give you some examples: soap operas in all forms, causes some of which are good and some of which are not good, people dedicating their lives to service occupations. God invites us to be part of something much much bigger than us; His mission (Matthew 28). I believe He calls all Christ followers to be active for the kingdom of God. He usually calls people to team up for the gospel. People in these teams can have differing gifts and talents, but they are devoted to the same mission. But, in difficult times or discouraging times, perhaps we have thought about quitting the ministry. I believe Paul was discouraged at this point in his second missionary journey. Dr. Luke in this passage gives us reminders that you and I need to hear as we go forward in ministry. Corinth was a cesspool of moral filth and evil. If someone of that day called you a Corinthian, it usually meant the person was a pervert.  It Is Always Too Soon to Quit  v. 1-5Corinth was a immoral and decadent cityProstitution, immorality, etc...Ministry can be exhaustingIt was going to be hard work for Paul to bring the gospel to this cityBut Paul won't give upPaul believed in a team approachFor mutual encouragement and supportTo join in the continuing work of the gospelTentmakers, Aquila and PriscellaSilas and TimothyBe Prepared for Opposition v. 6--8When ever God is doing something great, Satan becomes infuriatedWhen the Jews and the God fearing seekers became abusive to Paul, he didn't give upPaul then devoted himself to bring the gospel to GentilesPaul went to the house of Titus Justice a worshiper of GodThis house was right next door to the synagogueNotice that Crispus, the synagogue leader and his household trusted in ChristAlso many Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptizedThis is where the team could helpWe need to be on the same page and encourage one anotherGod Will Give Us Assurance 9-17I am sure things got very difficult for PaulPaul was probably exhausted, frustrated, and wondering if the ministry is worth it.Lord tells Paul 3 things in this visionDon't Be AfraidKeep on speakingDon't  be silentReasonsGod promised to protect Paul in CorinthGod has already been working in the hearts of the Corinthian PeopleClosing: So, about what have you been discouraged or frustrated? Have you put a lot of work into preparing something only to have no one and a very few show up? Have you ever felt like quitting a ministry? This passage show us it is always too soon to quit. Spiritual warfare  is very realSatan specializes in discouragement and doubtGod is all powerful and has already fought the battles we face.

THE WEEK OF CANTATE - SUNDAYLESSON: JOHN 16:5-15When he comes, he will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement. John 16:8When the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, comes, He will convince the world of blindness and ignorance. All men who have not been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, no matter how clever they may be thought to be by prevailing external circumstances, rules, or dealings, are fools and blind before God. They do not like being reminded of this. In fact, they become very cross and angry if you tell them that all their achievements count for nothing at all before God. They are quite sure that the reason and natural light that God has created in them must at least count for something.What can we reply?There stands the Scripture, the Word of God, plain and clear, telling us that the Holy Spirit will come and convince the world of ignorance in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement.This is a fixed determination; it cannot be modified or changed. Let him who will, be angry; this is no concern of Christ here.SL 11:865 (2)PRAYER: Heavenly Father, pour Your Holy Spirit upon us in rich measure, so that we are not ignorant of Your Word and salvation like the world is in its blindness, but may at all times cling in firm faith to Your saving Word, the vehicle of Your enlightening Spirit. Amen.Editor's note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today's sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:110-124.

HOLY WEEK - SATURDAYLESSON: 1 JOHN 5:6-12The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. Ephesians 1:3, 5-8When we discover what the Gospel of God's free and unmerited love really is, we see how foolish it is to teach that people should bear suffering and death patiently to atone for their sins and to obtain grace. Some claim that if one bears all this patiently and willingly, all one's sins will be forgiven accordingly. These people are seducers, because they conceal Christ with His death upon which our comfort depends. They induce people to rely on their own suffering and death.This is the very worst thing that can befall anyone in the end, because it is a way that leads straight into hell. You must learn to say, “What is my death and patience? Nothing at all! I will have nothing at all to do with it and will close my ears to it as far as any consolation is concerned. Christ's suffering and death is my one consolation. On this I place my reliance and trust that through it my sins are forgiven. I will gladly suffer death for my God's praise and honor freely, gratuitously, and in my neighbor's service, but place no reliance on it for myself.”SL 11:527 (5)AE 76:351-52PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, thanks and praise be to You for the completeness of Your work of salvation for us and for making this known to us in Your holy Gospel for our eternal comfort and consolation. Amen.

Psalm 16:8When we think of tests, we usually think of school or being unsure whether we'll pass or fail. But in reality, our whole lives are filled with tests. We are challenged to choose between right and wrong daily. Carl Zamora encourages us today to find our security in God as we put our trust and seek Him throughout our lives. #DailyDevo

STORIES:- How C&T Hooked up: 3-5This touches on the origin story- When Tom Fried Bacon Naked: 6 Humorous story that shows their silly and sexy bond- N.H: 7-8When they were sleeping above the brewery - sultry and luminescent of Tom’s - Rip your Jeans off Gorge: 9- 13 Whitewater Rafting trip turns into a proposal building career- My Bloody Valentine - 229 - 233Valentine’s day in Downeast Maine- High heels and Headlamps 64-67Love through Nature-----------------Read along and see my favorite photos in my book Bad Beaver Tales: Love and Life in Downeast Maine - by purchasing it on Amazon.comFind me---Carol Leonard--on Facebook for daily musingsAnd please like and share our Facebook page!----------------This has been a Good To Go Studios Production produced by Kyle LamontTheme music by Jesse Couto  And was Recorded and engineered by Ryan BlotnickMax Hauptman is our Story Editor

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2Do you ever feel like you spend all of your energy fighting? Do you feel like the enemy is working overtime to make you doubt, to give up? Well, I'm sure he is, but fortunately for us, God has given us direction on how to handle this battle and WIN.Cluttered MindsOur minds can become so cluttered with negative thoughts. Worry, anxiety, fear... These thoughts can also lead to feelings of rejection, unworthiness, hopelessness and the list goes on. This is because when the thoughts are allowed to come into the mind, they quickly travel to the heart. These thoughts and feelings are certainly not of God, so why do we choose to entertain them?Most times, we don't even realize what's happening. That's how crafty the enemy can be. Remember that Peter warns, "be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8When the enemy tries to enter, we must meet him at the door...do not let him take another step. We must focus our eyes on Jesus and keep our minds filled to the brim with God's word, so there is no room for Satan's lies."We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5How do we take thoughts captive? How do we fight?We arm ourselves. Arm yourself with scripture. Each morning during your prayer time, choose a scripture and memorize it...meditate on it throughout your day. Each time the devil comes at you with a negative thought, recite the chosen scripture in your mind. That's how you take thoughts captive; you fill your thoughts with the word of God and let it renew your mind, calm your spirit, and bring your joy and contentment to light.PrayerFather God, help us to take captive all thoughts that are not from you, Lord, and help us to hunger for your knowledge and wisdom...to fill our minds with your Word and your love. Our hearts belong only to you Lord. Thank you for your direction and guidance to enable us to live a better life through Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. AmenRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-romans-12-2-renewing-your-mind/

Policing vs. Relationship When you act like a police officer and stand in the back of the room waiting for students to mess up…3 things it does 1) Tells students “don’t mess up or else” 2) Puts distance relationally between leaders and students 3) Builds a wall of distrustSit WITH students.  1 Thessalonians 2:8When you sit with students:3 Things it does: 1) continues to build a relationship with students 2) It helps whoever is on stage not to have to be the “bad guy” 3) It reduces potential problems (like Watch Dogs program at schools).)So please, sit with students. Engage with them.Sing with them.Play the games with them. Check out the Youth Ministry Volunteer Podcast every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts.

Samaria the capital of Israel’s northern kingdom was under siege. Ben-hadad, the Syrian king and his powerful army’s presence had resulted in a disastrous famine. Israel’s king was walking along a wall when a woman cried out to him for help. His answer expressed his sense of utter helplessness. I quoted from the New Living translation, but the Aramean is translated in most places as Syrian.  2 Kings 6 & 7 NLT He answered, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, what can I do? I have neither food from the threshing floor nor wine from the press to give you.” 28But then the king asked, “What is the matter?” She told a story of cannibalization that drove the heartbreaking truth of desperation like an arrow into his heart. 30When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin. Burlap In the Bible, whenever someone sought God with ardent desperation through prayer and fasting, they would put on burlap as a sign of their humility. 31“May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders this very day,” the king vowed. I can only guess at why the king would blame Elisha for this nightmarish situation, but Elisha wasn’t the problem. Playing the blame game started with the first sin and has been repeated again and again when a person is confronted with a problem or a sinful consequence. You can't win shifting the blame. The king backed up his vow with a personal visit to Elisha’s house and his personal assistant. 32Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders of Israel when the king sent a messenger to summon him. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “A murderer has sent a man to cut off my head. When he arrives, shut the door and keep him out. We will soon hear his master’s steps following him.” 33While Elisha was still saying this, the messenger arrived. And the king said, “All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Chapter 7 NLT 1 Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” 1 Kings 6 describes the scarcity of food by explaining what is available and how expensive it is; the price of a donkey head cost 80 pieces of silver and a cup of dove’s dung for 5 pieces of silver. In the midst of this kind of scarcity Elisha announces the availability of choice flour and barley grain. But not just availability, he is also communicating that the flour and barley will be available in abundance by telling how much it would cost…6 quarts of fine flour or 12 quarts of barley grain for 1 piece of silver. 2The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” 3Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other. 4“We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.” What a hopeless situation! Or so it seemed. The was really true. If they sat where they were they would die! It was hopeless ONLY if they did nothing. They had no idea what God would do.   5So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another. 7So they panicked and ran into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else, as they fled for their lives. I just love this part of the story! This is a perfect picture of a boomerang. Intimidation had been a powerful tactic of this army, now God was using sound to intimidate them. Please dear friend, stop allowing intimidation to stop you. It is a strategy of hell to stop you from doing what God has called you to do; to keep you from believing God for your family; to rob you from the victory God has promised you. I want to remind you that no weapon that is formed against you will prosper. 8When the men with leprosy arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating and drinking wine; and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and hid it. 9Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let’s go back and tell the people at the palace.” 10So they went back to the city and told the gatekeepers what had happened. “We went out to the Aramean camp,” they said, “and no one was there! The horses and donkeys were tethered and the tents were all in order, but there wasn’t a single person around!” 11Then the gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace. The King didn't believe 12The king got out of bed in the middle of the night and told his officers, “I know what has happened. The Arameans know we are starving, so they have left their camp and have hidden in the fields. They are expecting us to leave the city, and then they will take us alive and capture the city.” 13One of his officers replied, “We had better send out scouts to check into this. Let them take five of the remaining horses. If something happens to them, it will be no worse than if they stay here and die with the rest of us.” 14So two chariots with horses were prepared, and the king sent scouts to see what had happened to the Aramean army. 15They went all the way to the Jordan River, following a trail of clothing and equipment that the Arameans had thrown away in their mad rush to escape. The scouts returned and told the king about it. Finally! 16Then the people of Samaria rushed out and plundered the Aramean camp. So it was true that six quarts of choice flour were sold that day for one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain were sold for one piece of silver, just as the LORD had promised. Just like God said. 17The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house. What are we missing out on because we don’t believe? The king’s assistant missed out on the food, the bounty that the army left and his life. Isaiah 53:1 KJV Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?   John 12 tells us the story of an excited crowd that greeted Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Verse 17 explains that many of the people in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead. They were telling others what Jesus had done, so crowds of people wanted to see Jesus too. In this context Jesus prophesied his death; then He exposes his heart in verse 27. “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. 30Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. God spoke from heaven to benefit them, to bolster their faith, to reveal Jesus to them. Part of the crowd explained it away as thunder. I've heard people explain way God's miracles.  Some of the more religious people passed it off as an angel speaking to Jesus. It was God, but many didn’t get the revelation of who Jesus was because they didn’t believe. Verse 37, But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?”   Do we believe something simply because it is frequently repeated? Do we believe something because it sounds right to our ears? Or do we believe it because it IS TRUTH?                              John 14:6 NIV Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   What about you, my dear friend, do you believe?   Lauren Dagle has captivated America’s hearts with her song, “You Say.” I would guess that you have heard it many times, but for illustration sake I want to describe what I see (Yes, see.) in her song. Lauren sings several truths that God says about a believer and then she sings a simple but game changing line…”I believe. I believe.” And I believe she really does believe what God says about her, that’s why her songs grips us like it does. But I’m talking to you today and I want to know about you…do you believe?   So one more time I repeat the words of the mighty profit Isaiah.  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?   Let’s pray.      

Gen. 2:25 NLT Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.Gen 3:7-13 NLT At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LordGod walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”The Shame 1-2-3's1. We all have it.2. We're all afraid to talk about it.3. The less we talk about shame the more control it has over us.I.What is shame?A.Gen. 2:25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.B.Shame is a feeling of being flawed that causes us to be fearful of being uncovered, unworthy, and/or rejected. II.How does shame affect us?A.Gen. 3:7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. B.Shame causes us to hide. III.How do we overcome shame?A.Gen. 3:21And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.B.2 Cor. 5:21For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering forour sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. C.Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowdof witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Nowhe is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.D.Steps to Overcoming Shame:1.Get Naked 2.Get FocusedPs. 75:7 It is God alone who judges;he decides who will rise and whowill fall.3.Get to the Cross Mk 15:19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.Big Idea: Jesus died a shameful death so that we don’t have to live a shameful life.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 23, 2018   Year (cycle): C   The Collect:  Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   Old Testament:  Micah 5:2-5a 2*But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,    who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me    one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old,    from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time    when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return    to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great    to the ends of the earth; 5 and he shall be the one of peace. Psalm:  Canticle 15 -- The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) or Psalm 80:1-7 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *      for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: *     the Almighty has done great things for me,     and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him *     in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, *     he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *     and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, *     and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *     for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, *     to Abraham and his children for ever. or 1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *       shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *      stir up your strength and come to help us. 3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *      show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 4 O Lord God of hosts, *      how long will you be angered      despite the prayers of your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *      you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *      and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *      show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Epistle:  Hebrews 10:5-10 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,    but a body you have prepared for me; 6 in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings    you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”    (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).' 8When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings' (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.' He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Gospel:  Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be* a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.' [46 And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 47   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,    and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him    from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm;    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,    and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things,    and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,    in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,    to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.']

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway. Readings for this Week: Acts 10:34-43Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Psalm 118Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s mercy endures for ever; Let the house of Israel say: “God’s mercy endures for ever.” The hand of the Lord has struck with power, God’s right hand is exalted, I shall not die, but live anew, declaring the works of the Lords. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, the Lord of love and mercy has brought wonders to our eyes! 1 Corinthians 15:1-11Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. Mark 16:1-8When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus’ body]. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.