Podcasts about lake galilee

Mark Stoneham carries on with the New Beginnings series looking at the interaction between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee after Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times before Jesus was crucified. This is the first encounter Jesus has with Peter after his resurrection. Jesus restores Peter in such a beautiful way.

 Peter and Andrew were knee-deep in Lake Galilee. A school of fish swam near shore, so they threw a net into water, dragging out whatever it collected. Jesus, walking the shore that morning, stopped and called to them. When they turned and looked at him, he said, “Follow me.” It was as if they were waiting for that moment, because they dropped everything to go with him. As Matthew tells the story, it was not long after they got the call that they were sitting on a nearby mountainside, listening to Jesus teaching lessons on True Righteousness and how to walk that spiritual path. They heard, first the Beatitudes, then the impossible requirement (5:20), after that Jesus ran through several examples of what the True Righteous looks like. Now Jesus takes them to a new gate, where written on a sign hanging from it was the word “Beware.” 

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 28th of January 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of Mark 8:2: ”I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.” Jesus was a kind person, Jesus is a kind person. Then we go to the Gospel of John 21:9: ”Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.” Jesus had prepared a meal for His disciples on the shores of Lake Galilee, after His resurrection. He was concerned for the well-being of His disciples, even though they had run away and left Him - a kind man. “Compassion” means sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of other people. Oh, my dear friend, we need to become kinder in this world. You know it's one of the fruits of the Spirit. Yes, you'll find that in Galatians 5:22. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.Just the other night, I was watching the news on the television. BBC World News said that when they interviewed little children all over Britain, the watchword for 2025 was kindness. “Little children, what is the most important word for you?” Kindness, I wonder why? Oh man, my eyes filled with tears. Why would the little child say kindness? Maybe because there's a lack of kindness in the world we live in today.You know, I love horses, I think you know that. Horses are beautiful animals. I can look into the eye of a horse and I can tell you whether that horse is a kind horse, and I'm very serious about it, or maybe he's impatient, angry, uptight, self-centred, but a soft, kind eye in a horse is something that I look for very carefully before I will ride him.I want to tell you a little story, maybe you've heard it before but it's worth listening to again. A young pastor, many years ago, told me here in Greytown that he was studying theology in Scotland. He and his young wife were walking down the high street on a very cold, windy, wintry day, and they saw this beautiful little home, and the door was wide open. There was a bunch of flowers on the table and they walked in and this kind old lady walked out and said, ”Can I help you?” “Yes please, can I have some tea and scones?” She said, ”No problem. Please be seated.” And she started to prepare them. They were fresh and they could smell them cooking. They did get a bit impatient because she took such a long time. Eventually, she came out with fresh tea, hot scones buttered with strawberry jam and cream and when they'd finished their meal they stood up and they said to her, ”Madam, how much do we owe you?” And she looked surprised. She said, ”No, this is a private home. You don't owe me anything.” That is kindness.Jesus bless you and goodbye.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 9th of January, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go straight to the Gospel of Mark 6:50: “for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” That is what Jesus said when the disciples saw Him walking on the water in the middle of a terrible storm. He is The Miracle-Worker! Oh my dear friend, I have been on a boat in the middle of Lake Galilee and I want to tell you, it is extremely deep. It is the source of life for the country of Israel. Jesus wasn't walking across a little stream. He was walking across a lake that was in the middle of a terrible storm and the disciples were fearing for their very lives. They were experienced fishermen and they knew that they were in deep trouble. What did He say? The Master said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” He stilled the aggressive storm and got into the boat with them. There is no living creature who has ever done this before. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That is what the Bible says in Hebrews 13:8.The same Lord asked an old woman who was well-passed having a baby, her name was Sarah, that's right, Abraham's wife, He told her she was going to have a son, and she laughed. She didn't believe it and then He asked her a question (Genesis 18:14): “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” Well, the answer is that there is nothing too hard for Him, but why is it that you and I believe the Bible, we believe the written word of God, but sometimes we cannot believe that Jesus can answer our prayers. He can heal that sickness, He can make those blind eyes open, He can open those deaf ears, He can heal that heart problem, He can find that job for you, He can make a place for you at university where they said there's no place, He can save that marriage. I want to pray a prayer of faith for you today:Father,I pray for my dear friend who is really battling to believe that You can answer their prayers. Lord, You walked on the water, You gave an old woman (nearly 100 years old) a baby, and You can answer this prayer today. We ask it in Jesus' name, amen.God bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye

Rev Cathy reflects on the story of Jesus and the disciples caught in a wild storm on Lake Galilee. What can this teach us about how we deal with the storms of life? 

In his grace Jesus not only forgave a repentant Peter on the day of his resurrection but he restored Peter 3 weeks later to his role as an apostle. John records this intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee in John 21. For every denial Peter had uttered- I do not know the man- Jesus now allows him to confess his personal love and affection. To each affirmation of love Jesus responded with the commission- Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. His ultimate command to Peter was Follow me.Bible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://www.gsccdallas.org/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

In his grace Jesus not only forgave a repentant Peter on the day of his resurrection but he restored Peter 3 weeks later to his role as an apostle. John records this intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee in John 21. For every denial Peter had uttered- I do not know the man- Jesus now allows him to confess his personal love and affection. To each affirmation of love Jesus responded with the commission- Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. His ultimate command to Peter was Follow me.

In his grace Jesus not only forgave a repentant Peter on the day of his resurrection but he restored Peter 3 weeks later to his role as an apostle. John records this intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee in John 21. For every denial Peter had uttered- I do not know the man- Jesus now allows him to confess his personal love and affection. To each affirmation of love Jesus responded with the commission- Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. His ultimate command to Peter was Follow me.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 10th of May, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Genesis 46:34 - This is Joseph speaking to his brothers: “…that you shall say, ‘Your servants' occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,' that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; (Now, listen to this) for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” “Every shepherd is repulsive to the Egyptians.” The Amplified Version says. Then we go to Matthew 7:6, this is Jesus speaking:“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Very, very strong words. They are spoken by the Lord, Himself, and the Old Testament reading spoken by Joseph to his brothers, when they came to Egypt. This really shocked me when I read this scripture initially from Genesis. You and I need to be very careful. Joseph was a very wise man and he told his brothers, “Don't say you are shepherds”, because actually that is what they were. In fact, God said to Peter, on the shores of Lake Galilee, “Do you love Me?” He said, “I love You, Lord.” He said, ”Feed My sheep.” So Peter was a shepherd, a shepherd of the flock. We need to be very sensitive when we share our faith with people in the world. Some don't understand, some don't want to understand and some will actually get quite aggressive towards you. We need to pick the time. Often I say, “Tell the first three people you meet, after you give your life to Christ, what you have done, and I still maintain that, but we need to be clever. The Bible says we must be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. So when we share our testimony with somebody, we must pick the right time and the right place, otherwise we will be rejected severely. That's why it wasn't a lie that Joseph was telling his brothers not to tell the Egyptians. He said, “Tell them that we are keepers of livestock and not shepherds.” I want to say to you today, we never apologise for our faith, we are never ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, but we need to be very, very wise if we want to lead people to Christ. So today, when you go out, just be very careful who you share with and when you share it, but never hold back on the truth.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

Talk 16   Mark 6:1-13   Preaching the gospel in a hostile environment Welcome to Talk 16 in our series on Mark's Gospel. Today we'll be looking at Mark 16:1-13. We'll be concentrating on verses 1-5 where Mark tells us that Jesus was unable to do any mighty miracle in his home town because of the people's unbelief, and then we'll see how this relates to verses 6-13 where Jesus sends out the twelve apostles. We'll begin by reading verses 1-6.   1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith…   1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. Jesus leaves the home of Jairus and travels with his disciples away from the shore of Lake Galilee to his home town of Nazareth. He had been born in Bethlehem, and, as we've seen in previous talks, the base for his ministry was Capernaum, but he was always known as Jesus of Nazareth because that is where he had been brought up. So by Jesus' home town Mark means Nazareth.   2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue He does in Nazareth exactly what he has done elsewhere. He begins to teach in the synagogue. By saying that Jesus began to teach Mark is indicating that Jesus might well have continued to teach there if only the people had accepted him. Mark doesn't tell us here what Jesus' message was, but he would expect us to assume that it was in line with what he has already told us in Mark 1:14-15:   … Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!   But the people of Nazareth would not believe the good news. They took offense at him (v3). Why? Because the good news is Jesus! They were amazed. They asked, Where did this man get these things?  They recognised that he had been given wisdom and acknowledged that he worked miracles. But they could not look beyond the fact that they had known him as the carpenter. So in verse 3 they say:   3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” Despite the supernatural evidence of the miracles they had heard about, they refused to look beyond the natural. Yes, he was the carpenter. Yes, he was the son of Mary – if they had heard the story of his virgin birth, they had clearly not believed it. Yes, he was the half-brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon and his sisters. But didn't the miracles show that he was so much more! He was, in the opening words of Mark's  Gospel, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.   And they took offense at him. The verb that's used here is closely connected with the noun skandalon which is frequently used in the New Testament to mean a stumbling block or something that trips you up. What tripped up the people of Nazareth was their refusal to see beyond the humanity of Jesus. And Paul, using the same word in 1 Corinthians 1:23, tells us that the Jews in general stumble at the message of Christ crucified. There is a danger that our preconceived ideas prevent us from seeing the whole truth about Jesus.   4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." This reminds us of Luke 4:24 which records Jesus as saying, No prophet is accepted in his home town. Note the word accepted. The problem with the people of Nazareth was that they refused to accept Jesus. It's interesting that Luke's account of this whole incident is far more detailed than Mark's. He tells us that Jesus read from the passage in Isaiah where it says:   The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour (Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61:1-2).   Luke goes on to tell us that Jesus went on to say, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (v21), and that the people spoke well of Jesus and were amazed at the way he spoke. As in Mark 6, their amazement sprang from the fact that they knew his family. Their familiarity with his humanity prevented them from seeing his divinity. They had heard of the miracles Jesus had performed in Capernaum and were expecting him to do something similar in Nazareth (v23).   But Jesus knew that they would not accept him, and provocatively stated: I tell you the truth… no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed – only Naaman the Syrian (vv24-27).   As a result, Luke tells us that: All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way (vv28-30).   So they not only refused to accept him. They actually tried to destroy him! But, perhaps surprisingly, Mark leaves out all this detail and simply tells us in verses 5-6:   He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith… Does Mark really mean that Jesus could not do any miracles there? Couldn't Jesus do anything? We may be tempted to say that Jesus could have but chose not to do any miracle there. But that is not what Mark says. The Greek literally means he was unable to do. So how do we explain this? Of course, God can do anything, but he has sovereignly chosen to work in response to faith. Jesus only did what he saw the Father do (John 5:19). He was unable to work outside of the parameters by which God has chosen to operate. So he was unable to do any miracle (literally, powerful thing) there because of their lack of faith, although presumably a few sick people had enough faith to be healed.   I personally believe that this teaches us a very important principle. We know from experience that miracles seem to happen more frequently in some places than in others and we wonder why. The answer lies in this passage. Community unbelief inhibits the miraculous. If even Jesus could do no miracle in a place because of unbelief, we must not be surprised if we find that the same is true for us today.   But why is faith so important? The answer lies in the message of salvation. Salvation is by faith. Jesus preached, Repent, and believe the good news. He came because God loves us. He came to give his life a ransom for many. He came to take the punishment our sins deserved, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. He knew that we would never be good enough for Heaven by our own self effort. That's why he made a way for us to be saved by faith. Accepting Jesus, believing in him, is the only way to be saved. That's why faith is important.   And that's why Jesus worked miracles and why he commissioned his disciples to do so. He came to die for us. He wanted people to have faith in him for salvation, and miracles encourage faith. They give a practical demonstration of God's love for us. By working miracles Jesus was giving people every opportunity to believe. But if they refuse to believe despite the evidence of the miracles, they will have no excuse when they stand before God on the day of judgment. Our eternal destiny is determined by whether or not we accept Jesus. But sadly, for the time being at least, the people of Nazareth would not, and so Jesus leaves them and goes around teaching from village to village (v6). But now let's read verses 7-13.   7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits We know from Mark 3:14-15 that Jesus had already chosen his twelve apostles so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These verses express Jesus' purpose in choosing them, but it's not until now in chapter 6 that Jesus actually gives them that authority and sends them out. God's timing is so important. He often reveals his purposes for us before he intends us to begin to fulfil them. And he gives us the authority we need as and when we need it. In the case of the Twelve, it was almost certainly so that they might have time to learn from his teaching and example before he gave them authority and sent them out to preach. It was by following him that he would make them fishers of men (1:17).   The specific instructions Jesus' gave on this occasion are recorded in more detail by Matthew, where it is clear that this was a specific mission to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6), but not at this time to the Samaritans or the Gentiles. That would come later. And where Mark only mentions that Jesus gave them authority over evil spirits, Matthew includes authority to heal every kind of sickness and disease, to cleanse lepers, and even raise the dead.   Some Christians take the view that these passages are intended to indicate that as Christians we all have the right to ‘take authority' over these things, but that ignores the fact that nowhere in the Bible are we told to take authority. We only have authority if we are given it. Even Jesus' authority was given him by God (Matthew 18:19). The fact that Jesus gave this authority to twelve specific disciples at a specific time and for a specific mission does not automatically mean that he has given it to you or me today.   Indeed, these very disciples, after Jesus had ascended into Heaven, had to wait to receive the power of the Spirit. In the Gospels they worked miracles with a specific authority given them by the Lord Jesus, but in Acts he would continue to work miracles through them as they were led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And so it is with us. We can, and we should, expect the Lord to work through us in miraculous ways, but only as we are led by the Spirit.   The fact that he sent them out in pairs provides us with a wise example of how we should work today. Teamwork is essential. However great our gifting or experience, none of us is infallible, and we all need the wisdom, support and encouragement that comes from others who work alongside us. This principle was followed by the disciples in Acts – e.g. Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas etc., although Paul's apostolic teams were often larger than two. The basic principle is that we should not go it alone.   8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Again, these instructions were given with regard to a specific mission, and we should certainly not assume that when we go out on evangelism we must never take any money with us and that we should wear sandals rather than shoes! But we can certainly learn from the principles Jesus was teaching. We can trust the Lord to meet our needs as we seek to proclaim the good news. How can we have faith to work miracles if we cannot trust God to provide for our basic needs? The Christian life is by faith from first to last.   10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." Amazed at the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth (v6), Jesus was only too aware of the opposition that he and his disciples were facing. Nevertheless, people must be given the opportunity to accept him, or to reject him. So he sent his disciples out to preach the good news to the surrounding villages, knowing that some would not listen. The disciples were to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against those who rejected the message.   This was something Jewish people did when passing through a Gentile town or village. It was a sign that they were distancing themselves from them because they were different. They were the people of God. But Jesus' disciples were not visiting Gentile towns or villages on this mission (Matthew 10:5). They were visiting Jewish villages. So by shaking the dust off their feet the disciples were showing the Jews that there is a distinction between those who believe the good news and those who reject it. Only those who accept Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, are truly the people of God.   In most cultures today shaking the dust off one's feet would mean nothing to those who might be watching, but as Christians we need to show by what we say and how we live that we are different from those who deny Christ. We have a different lifestyle and a different destiny.   12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. We saw in Mark 1:15 that Jesus' message was, The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. The miracles were the evidence. They helped people to believe. Sadly, as we have seen in today's passage, there were those who refused to believe despite the evidence. Could this have been because they were not willing to repent? It's much the same today. There's plenty of evidence for the truth of the Christian message, but many refuse to believe it because of the implications it has for their lifestyle.   So what can we learn from this passage about preaching the gospel in a hostile environment? Follow the example of Jesus. Proclaim the good news. Expect miraculous confirmation of the message. Miracles demonstrate God's love and make it easier for people to believe. Remember that Jesus gave his disciples authority for that specific mission. After he had returned to Heaven they received their authority from the Holy Spirit. As we keep filled with the Spirit he will lead us and empower us. The Holy Spirit will enable people to repent and believe, but he will not force them to do so. If people adamantly refuse our message we should move on to those who will accept it. Whether they accept it or reject it, it's our responsibility whether people accept it or not to tell them the truth. We are not to blame if people refuse to accept Christ. But it is our responsibility to point out the consequences of doing so.

John was likely the "other disciple" of John, the Baptist, along with Andrew, which explains why he followed Jesus immediately at Lake Galilee.  Jesus singled out John (along with Peter and James) to experience three secret events -- the raising of Jarius' daughter from the dead, the Transfiguration, and the Agony in the Garden.  Why?

If you could have a superpower, what might it be and what would you use it for? In this episode we can see that Jesus has all the superpowers, including power over life and death, and he uses them to benefit others! For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  Follow Anna on her Facebook Page here Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group here Follow The Word On The Street Podcast on Instagram here Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Here are the bible verses quoted in today's episode: Bible Passage: Mark 5:21-24, 36-43 Once again Jesus got into the boat and crossed Lake Galilee. Then as he stood on the shore, a large crowd gathered around him. The person in charge of the synagogue was also there. His name was Jairus, and when he saw Jesus, he went over to him. He knelt at Jesus' feet and started begging him for help. He said, “My little daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.” Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed along and kept crowding around… While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from Jairus' home and said, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?” Jesus heard what they said, and he said to Jairus, “Don't worry. Just have faith!” Jesus did not let anyone go with him except Peter and the two brothers, James and John. They went home with Jairus and saw the people crying and making a lot of noise. Then Jesus went inside and said to them, “Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The child isn't dead. She is just asleep.” But the people laughed at him. After Jesus had sent them all out of the house, he took the girl's father and mother and his three disciples and went to where she was. He took the twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, koum!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got right up and started walking around. Everyone was greatly surprised. But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.” Today's Questions: Why do you think Jesus chose to bring Jairus's daughter back to life and not everyone else? How did Jesus get the power over life and death?

This past Sunday's sermon marked the powerful conclusion of our 53-week journey through the Gospel of John. Exploring the final chapter, the sermon led us through three impactful scenes, challenging us to answer the fundamental question: Do you truly believe in the real Jesus? From the shores of Lake Galilee, where Jesus pursued the disciples, to the profound restoration dialogue between Jesus and Peter during breakfast and the call to focus on our individual journeys, the sermon unfolded a transformative narrative. Whether you missed it or want to revisit the depth of the message, we invite you to catch up online or access the recording, continuing our journey together and embracing the communion table where Jesus extends an opportunity to share a meal and strengthen our faith.

You have more potential than you may realise. But one of the best ways to achieve actual fulfilment in your life is to be part of a team. Who would you say was the best team ever? In many areas of life, it has been great teams who have achieved more together than they ever would have done apart.   In church history it was a group of talented and dedicated U.K. Christians known as the Clapham sect who united to successfully campaign for the abolition of slavery and the promotion of global missions. The world's most famous evangelist, Billy Graham, was a highly charismatic personality, but he freely admitted that he owed everything to God, his wife and a close team of associates who stayed together and supported him throughout their long lives.    Yet for all the effectiveness of so many great teams there is one that stands out above all others. John Maxwell wrote: ‘one could argue that Jesus constructed the most important team ever assembled. In less than one generation, the disciples of Jesus progressed from ignorant labourers to bold spiritual leaders in what is now the largest organisation in the world.'  The team that Jesus chose and trained to become history makers were a very mixed group of characters as we have been discovering over these past months. We have seen how easy it is to identify with them as they were very ordinary people just like us, each with their particular strengths and weaknesses.   For all the differences in their personalities and roles, these disciples who became the world's most successful team, were united in key areas. They have much to teach us if we want to grow in our faith and as members of teams of disciples.  1. They had a personal encounter with Jesus (John 1:43-45; John 1:1-4, 14-16; Matthew 16; John 6:68-69; Colossians 2:7) 2. They committed to fully follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 19:27) 3. They needed to be developed as trained disciples of Jesus  4. They continued to be faithful witnesses of Jesus throughout their lives (Acts 12:2; Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 1:5-7)  Apply  1. They had a personal encounter with Jesus. Four fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James and John, all met Jesus along the shores of Lake Galilee. Matthew was called by Jesus while sitting at his booth as a tax collector. Philip and Nathanael also came into contact with Jesus (John 1:43-45). In one way and another Jesus entered the lives of each of the disciples and developed a close relationship with them over a three-year period. Jesus called this band of brothers ‘friends', but they clearly understood that that Jesus was no mere man, but the Promised Messiah, God in human form (John 1:45; John 1:1-4). John went on to clarify that Jesus was the Word He was speaking of (John 1:14). When Jesus asked the disciples who they really thought He was, Peter stated he believed Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16). As opposition increased towards Jesus, many left him, but not his core disciples (John 6:68-69). What held them together was they were ‘rooted and built up' in their personal faith in Christ (Colossians 2:7). That's why they weren't being blown all over the place. They knew Jesus for themselves. Being a true disciple then means far more than knowing about Jesus or even merely believing in Him at an intellectual level; it means that you must have a personal experience of knowing Jesus. Even if you would say that you are a Christian: do you really know the Lord in a personal way? Do you feel His presence? Do you know Him as your best friend who is always close by you? Are you confident to daily walk with Him because you are sure your sins have been forgiven because of your repentance and through Christ's blood? Well this is what the Lord wants for you. 2. They committed to fully follow Jesus. They decided to wholeheartedly follow Jesus from the start (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 19:27). Peter and his brother and colleagues left their fishing careers, Mathew gave up tax collecting for the Romans, Simon the Zealot split from the terrorist group that focused on killing Romans. Each disciple left their old way of life behind. And that is what every true follower of Jesus must do. You cannot continue with an old sinful lifestyle, with old attitudes, with old forms of behaviour and friendships with those who mock God. You have to make a clean break to follow Jesus. God's call on your life may also involve you changing from a previous career. But whether or not you stay or leave your chosen profession, what matters is that you die to an old way of life and that you choose to live God's way and to be a faithful ambassador for Christ. A true disciple is much more than someone who attends church but someone who has consciously decided to prioritise following the example and teachings of Jesus. That's what the first disciples did but that was only the start of their story.   3. They needed to be developed as trained disciples of Jesus. Once Jesus had called individual disciples, He then brought them together as a team to form them in their characters and capabilities. And that's what He did patiently, consistently, directly and ultimately very effectively. His training meant that the team of disciples: needed to stay close to their mentor and rabbi even when others had arguments and left; had to be prepared to accept correction, they weren't too proud to learn and change; and needed to be ready to respond to new challenges. At first, Jesus sent them out to spread the good news of the kingdom of God in their home areas but finally he sent them out to make disciples throughout the whole world. Everything depended on them succeeding as a team. The responsibility for the whole future of the church and the growth of Christianity rested with this small, imperfect team that Jesus had raised up. There was no plan B. Today also the numerical and spiritual growth of the Christian church, locally and globally, primarily depends not on big events and public services, but with the training of groups of small groups of committed disciples who will in turn multiply faithful and fruitful disciples.  4. They continued to be faithful witnesses of Jesus throughout their lives. They obediently carried out their commission to spread the gospel wherever they went, no matter what difficulties they faced. And they were prepared to pay the ultimate price. We know of the fate of Judas who betrayed Jesus and hung himself, while the faithful James, the son of Zebedee, was executed by Herod in 44AD (Acts 12:2). Even though Peter was miraculously saved at that time from a similar execution and the Bible doesn't give the details, numerous writers of the time (or shortly after) described his death as having occurred in Rome during the reign of the mad Emperor Nero in 64AD. According to tradition, St. Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Although there are unreliable legends about the other disciples, there are strong traditions about their laying down of their lives for Christ. Russian Christians believe that Andrew was the first to bring the gospel to their land. Andrew also preached in modern-day Turkey, Asia Minor, and Greece, where it's believed he was crucified. Tradition says that Thomas preached as far as India, where he was killed. Many churches in the Middle East and southern Asia, including Sri Lanka, also mention Apostle Thomas in their historical traditions as being the first evangelist to establish their churches. Philip likely had a powerful ministry in Asia Minor and in North Africa, where he was put to death. Matthew ministered in Persia and Ethiopia, where some believe he was killed. Of the other disciples who were reportedly martyred, Bartholomew had extensive missionary travels to Ethiopia, India with Thomas and to Armenia and Southern Arabia. James the son of Alpheus is believed to have ministered in Syria. Simon the Zealot ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to a sun god and Matthias, the replacement for Judas, went to Syria. John is one of the only disciples who's commonly thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was a church leader in Ephesus and is believed to have cared for Mary, Jesus' mother, in his home. During a time of persecution under Emperor Domitian, John was exiled to the island of Patmos, off the coast of Asia where he wrote the last book of the New Testament. At the end of his life, John had many revelations of Jesus in heaven. He had a vision of: - The conquering Christ: an awesome figure Revelation 1:17-18) - The compassionate Christ: He saw a vast crowd of people gathered (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 1:5-6) - The coming Christ: He foresaw that Jesus will return to earth in power and glory, overthrowing all evil, establishing His eternal kingdom and making all things new (Revelation 1:7). For John the past, present and future was all about Jesus. Jesus was the centre and meaning and hope of everything. That's why he and all the disciples had first followed Jesus and why they worked so effectively together as a team to shine his light in a dark world. We too need to encounter Jesus and live and work together as teams of real disciples to see Christ's kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 

You have more potential than you may realise. But one of the best ways to achieve actual fulfilment in your life is to be part of a team. Who would you say was the best team ever? In many areas of life, it has been great teams who have achieved more together than they ever would have done apart.   In church history it was a group of talented and dedicated U.K. Christians known as the Clapham sect who united to successfully campaign for the abolition of slavery and the promotion of global missions. The world's most famous evangelist, Billy Graham, was a highly charismatic personality, but he freely admitted that he owed everything to God, his wife and a close team of associates who stayed together and supported him throughout their long lives.    Yet for all the effectiveness of so many great teams there is one that stands out above all others. John Maxwell wrote: ‘one could argue that Jesus constructed the most important team ever assembled. In less than one generation, the disciples of Jesus progressed from ignorant labourers to bold spiritual leaders in what is now the largest organisation in the world.'  The team that Jesus chose and trained to become history makers were a very mixed group of characters as we have been discovering over these past months. We have seen how easy it is to identify with them as they were very ordinary people just like us, each with their particular strengths and weaknesses.   For all the differences in their personalities and roles, these disciples who became the world's most successful team, were united in key areas. They have much to teach us if we want to grow in our faith and as members of teams of disciples.  1. They had a personal encounter with Jesus (John 1:43-45; John 1:1-4, 14-16; Matthew 16; John 6:68-69; Colossians 2:7) 2. They committed to fully follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 19:27) 3. They needed to be developed as trained disciples of Jesus  4. They continued to be faithful witnesses of Jesus throughout their lives (Acts 12:2; Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 1:5-7)  Apply  1. They had a personal encounter with Jesus. Four fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James and John, all met Jesus along the shores of Lake Galilee. Matthew was called by Jesus while sitting at his booth as a tax collector. Philip and Nathanael also came into contact with Jesus (John 1:43-45). In one way and another Jesus entered the lives of each of the disciples and developed a close relationship with them over a three-year period. Jesus called this band of brothers ‘friends', but they clearly understood that that Jesus was no mere man, but the Promised Messiah, God in human form (John 1:45; John 1:1-4). John went on to clarify that Jesus was the Word He was speaking of (John 1:14). When Jesus asked the disciples who they really thought He was, Peter stated he believed Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16). As opposition increased towards Jesus, many left him, but not his core disciples (John 6:68-69). What held them together was they were ‘rooted and built up' in their personal faith in Christ (Colossians 2:7). That's why they weren't being blown all over the place. They knew Jesus for themselves. Being a true disciple then means far more than knowing about Jesus or even merely believing in Him at an intellectual level; it means that you must have a personal experience of knowing Jesus. Even if you would say that you are a Christian: do you really know the Lord in a personal way? Do you feel His presence? Do you know Him as your best friend who is always close by you? Are you confident to daily walk with Him because you are sure your sins have been forgiven because of your repentance and through Christ's blood? Well this is what the Lord wants for you. 2. They committed to fully follow Jesus. They decided to wholeheartedly follow Jesus from the start (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 19:27). Peter and his brother and colleagues left their fishing careers, Mathew gave up tax collecting for the Romans, Simon the Zealot split from the terrorist group that focused on killing Romans. Each disciple left their old way of life behind. And that is what every true follower of Jesus must do. You cannot continue with an old sinful lifestyle, with old attitudes, with old forms of behaviour and friendships with those who mock God. You have to make a clean break to follow Jesus. God's call on your life may also involve you changing from a previous career. But whether or not you stay or leave your chosen profession, what matters is that you die to an old way of life and that you choose to live God's way and to be a faithful ambassador for Christ. A true disciple is much more than someone who attends church but someone who has consciously decided to prioritise following the example and teachings of Jesus. That's what the first disciples did but that was only the start of their story.   3. They needed to be developed as trained disciples of Jesus. Once Jesus had called individual disciples, He then brought them together as a team to form them in their characters and capabilities. And that's what He did patiently, consistently, directly and ultimately very effectively. His training meant that the team of disciples: needed to stay close to their mentor and rabbi even when others had arguments and left; had to be prepared to accept correction, they weren't too proud to learn and change; and needed to be ready to respond to new challenges. At first, Jesus sent them out to spread the good news of the kingdom of God in their home areas but finally he sent them out to make disciples throughout the whole world. Everything depended on them succeeding as a team. The responsibility for the whole future of the church and the growth of Christianity rested with this small, imperfect team that Jesus had raised up. There was no plan B. Today also the numerical and spiritual growth of the Christian church, locally and globally, primarily depends not on big events and public services, but with the training of groups of small groups of committed disciples who will in turn multiply faithful and fruitful disciples.  4. They continued to be faithful witnesses of Jesus throughout their lives. They obediently carried out their commission to spread the gospel wherever they went, no matter what difficulties they faced. And they were prepared to pay the ultimate price. We know of the fate of Judas who betrayed Jesus and hung himself, while the faithful James, the son of Zebedee, was executed by Herod in 44AD (Acts 12:2). Even though Peter was miraculously saved at that time from a similar execution and the Bible doesn't give the details, numerous writers of the time (or shortly after) described his death as having occurred in Rome during the reign of the mad Emperor Nero in 64AD. According to tradition, St. Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Although there are unreliable legends about the other disciples, there are strong traditions about their laying down of their lives for Christ. Russian Christians believe that Andrew was the first to bring the gospel to their land. Andrew also preached in modern-day Turkey, Asia Minor, and Greece, where it's believed he was crucified. Tradition says that Thomas preached as far as India, where he was killed. Many churches in the Middle East and southern Asia, including Sri Lanka, also mention Apostle Thomas in their historical traditions as being the first evangelist to establish their churches. Philip likely had a powerful ministry in Asia Minor and in North Africa, where he was put to death. Matthew ministered in Persia and Ethiopia, where some believe he was killed. Of the other disciples who were reportedly martyred, Bartholomew had extensive missionary travels to Ethiopia, India with Thomas and to Armenia and Southern Arabia. James the son of Alpheus is believed to have ministered in Syria. Simon the Zealot ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to a sun god and Matthias, the replacement for Judas, went to Syria. John is one of the only disciples who's commonly thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was a church leader in Ephesus and is believed to have cared for Mary, Jesus' mother, in his home. During a time of persecution under Emperor Domitian, John was exiled to the island of Patmos, off the coast of Asia where he wrote the last book of the New Testament. At the end of his life, John had many revelations of Jesus in heaven. He had a vision of: - The conquering Christ: an awesome figure Revelation 1:17-18) - The compassionate Christ: He saw a vast crowd of people gathered (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 1:5-6) - The coming Christ: He foresaw that Jesus will return to earth in power and glory, overthrowing all evil, establishing His eternal kingdom and making all things new (Revelation 1:7). For John the past, present and future was all about Jesus. Jesus was the centre and meaning and hope of everything. That's why he and all the disciples had first followed Jesus and why they worked so effectively together as a team to shine his light in a dark world. We too need to encounter Jesus and live and work together as teams of real disciples to see Christ's kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 

Theme & Motivation Reading Bible 45 years, two men identified with man rescued on eastern shore of Lake Galilee & apostle Paul Their lives hugely Continue reading The post The Stone Cutter IV appeared first on Fides et Ratio.

Talk 7   Mark 2:13-17   The Call of Levi Welcome to Talk 7 in our series on Mark's Gospel. We'll begin by reading Mark 2:13-17.   13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."   13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As we saw last time, Jesus' home was now in Capernaum (v1), a village on the western shore of Lake Galilee. We have also seen how, wherever Jesus went, large crowds gathered. There were two main reasons for this, his teaching and his healing. In Mark 1:22 we read:   The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.   And in verses 27-28 we're told that:   The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.   Mark goes into great detail about the miracles of healing and exorcism that Jesus performed, but he says relatively little about his teaching. Here in verse 13 he simply says, he began to teach them. However, as we've said before, the miracles were not the message, but served as signs confirming the truth of the message (cf. Mark 16:20). In Mark 1:14 Jesus proclaims the message that the kingdom of God is near and tells the people to repent and believe the good news. In 2:2 he speaks the word to them, and in verse 13 he teaches them. It's clear that he used a variety of methods to communicate the message.   14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. It's important not to miss the connection with the previous verse. Jesus began to teach the people as he walked along. It's so easy to think of teaching as something that you do in a standing (or sitting) position. But here Jesus is teaching as he walks along. A walk with someone is a great opportunity to share God's truth with them. (When I was a Bible College principal I sometimes felt that I was able to teach my students more as I travelled in a car with them than when I was in the classroom).   It's interesting too that Jesus felt able to interrupt his teaching to speak to an individual and call him to follow him. The call of Levi (identified as Matthew in Matthew 9:9) is almost identical to the call of the four fishermen in chapter 1. Jesus is walking along, he sees them, and calls them to follow him. And immediately they do so.   But the fishermen were earning an honest living. As a tax-collector, Matthew almost certainly was not. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 indicates that tax-collectors were certainly in a position to extract money under false pretences. And because of their reputation they were outcasts from Jewish society, being treated as traitors as they served the hated Roman authorities. They were viewed as the worst of sinners – but Jesus had come to call sinners to repentance, to seek and to save those who were lost (Luke 19:10).   So, Matthew gets up and follows him. As the fishermen had left their nets, he leaves his tax-collector's booth (Luke 5:28 says he left everything), to become one of Jesus' twelve apostles. I wonder if the other apostles were surprised at Jesus' choice. There is certainly no suggestion that they were, and neither should we be when he calls people with a questionable background into church leadership today. What matters is not what they were, but what Christ can make of them when they repent.   15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. Luke describes this meal as a great banquet. The angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10) and it's right that we should do so too. Overjoyed at his newfound salvation, Levi throws a banquet to celebrate in honour of Jesus. And perhaps he did it, too,  to provide an opportunity for his former business associates to get to know Jesus. Those who have just found Christ have a unique opportunity to tell others about what he has done for them.   If we are really grateful for what Christ has done for us, we will do the same – at the ‘banquet' we call the communion service or eucharist, where we regularly remember and celebrate the Lord's death, and as we testify to those around us of the transforming work Jesus has done in our lives.   We also see in this verse how the sinless Christ was willing to look like a sinner (as he was at his baptism in 1:9) foreshadowing his redemptive work on the cross, where he who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). He mixes with those seen as the worst kind of sinners. But the fact is that we're all sinners – or we were, until we met Jesus – and not one of us is worthy of his grace. The word Christian occurs only three times in the New Testament, but far more frequent is the use of the word saint to refer to Christian believers. We who were once sinners God now calls saints.  What amazing grace!   16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Despite the miracle performed on the paralysed man earlier in the chapter, the teachers of the law are still criticising Jesus. Now the question is not, What right has he to forgive sins? but Why is he eating with sinners? Did these Pharisees really think that they themselves were sinless? Probably not, but they certainly considered themselves a cut above the rest. Jesus' story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector illustrates their attitude perfectly:   To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).   Of course, Jesus didn't condone sin, but he mixed with sinners because their need was so great, and he loved them and sought to save them. Luke 7:36-50, where Jesus is in the home of Simon the Pharisee and where a woman who has lived a sinful life anoints Jesus' feet with perfume, also illustrates what we're talking about here. The Pharisee can't understand why Jesus would allow a sinful woman to touch him, making him ceremonially unclean. Jesus explains that those who love him most are those who have the most to forgive. He tells the woman, Your sins are forgiven… your faith has saved you. Go in peace.   17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (to repentance)." Jesus' message was that people should repent and believe the good news (1:15). This is what he came for. Of course we know that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and everybody needs to repent and believe the gospel. So Jesus is not suggesting here that the Pharisees were righteous and did not need to repent. But if no one is righteous then everyone, including the Pharisees, needs to repent and receive the forgiveness Jesus so freely offers. It's true that the healthy do not need a doctor, but if everyone is sick, then everyone needs him.   Note, incidentally, that, although in the context this was not his intention, Jesus here acknowledges our need of the medical profession. Some Christians, because of God's promises of healing, believe that to consult a doctor is an evidence of lack of faith. The people who take this view are usually those who believe that Jesus died for our sicknesses in exactly the way that he died for our sins. Both in my PhD thesis and in my book Just a Taste of Heaven, I show that this is not what the Bible teaches and that to teach this is not only erroneous but also potentially dangerous.   Although this is not directly relevant to the context of the passage we are studying in Mark 2, because it's so important, I will conclude this talk by giving you a brief summary of why I believe it's quite appropriate for us to seek medical help and advice, even though we passionately believe in the supernatural power of God to heal the sick today. Firstly, it is noteworthy that on at least three occasions the New Testament actually advocates the use of medicinal means. One clear example, is Paul 's recommendation to Timothy  to take wine for the sake of his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23).  A further example is the instruction given to the church at Laodicea to purchase eye salve that they might see (Revelation 3:18), and although the use here is clearly metaphorical it seems hardly likely that such a metaphor  would have been employed if the use of medical  means were disapproved of.   Yet another example is the use of oil  and wine in the Parable of the Good Samaritan  (Luke 10:29-37).   In v.33 the Samaritan takes pity on the wounded man and in v.34 dresses his wounds , pouring on oil and wine.   He then takes him to an inn where he takes care of him.   It is clear from the context that the purpose of the oil and the wine was medicinal and Jesus  commands his followers to Go and do likewise (v.37).     Furthermore, there is no clear evidence in either the Old or the New Testament of a negative attitude towards the use of medicine. In fact, as we've just seen, there are indications of a positive attitude. This suggests that as Christians today we too should be positive about it and be grateful to God  for the advances in medical science that have been made since Bible times.   But given that the use of medicine and the medical  profession is appropriate for a Christian, the question arises as to when we should avail ourselves of it, bearing in mind that God has promised to heal us. In this connection it is important to realise that it need not be a question of God or medicine. It can, and probably should, be a matter of both. As Christians we should seek the Lord in everything, so we should not, like Asa (2 Chronicles 16:12) , consult the doctor  and forget the Lord. On the other hand, we should remember that God works through the natural as well as through the supernatural . It would seem foolish to ask God for a miracle  when there is a simple natural solution.   A good illustration of this principle is God 's miraculous provision of food for the Israelites when they were travelling through the desert. Exodus 16 reveals how God provided ‘manna' as food for his people. There was always enough for each day …until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna  until they came to the border of Canaan (v.35). This is confirmed in Joshua 5:12. The manna  stopped the day after they ate food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year  they ate the produce of Canaan.   The lesson from this is very clear. God  has many natural ways of providing for the needs of his people. It is when our needs are beyond our natural resources that we may expect God to provide supernaturally. God does not work miracles when there is no need for them. Applying this principle to healing, since we are to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we should pray as soon as we are ill and continue to pray until we are better. But that does not mean that we should not consult a doctor  or take medicine.  Indeed, in most cases it seems that it is through medical  means that the Lord chooses to heal us. Where human skill is insufficient, however, as Christians we have the assurance that even when something is impossible with man, all things are possible with God .

Simon made his living netting fish in Lake Galilee to sell in the market where he lived. When his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus, Jesus gave Simon a significant nickname. It's the one by which we know him today, the “Rock,” promising stability and strength. Jesus later climbed into Peter's fishing boat to preach. Afterward, He told Peter to set out his nets, which Peter reluctantly, but obediently did. When deciding to fish that day, Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. The moment Peter's simple act of faith intersected with Jesus' faithfulness, everything changed. Just as Jesus reveals and represents God, Simon Peter represents all who seek to follow Jesus.

Simon made his living netting fish in Lake Galilee to sell in the market where he lived. When his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus, Jesus gave Simon a significant nickname. It's the one by which we know him today, the “Rock,” promising stability and strength. Jesus later climbed into Peter's fishing boat to preach. Afterward, He told Peter to set out his nets, which Peter reluctantly, but obediently did. When deciding to fish that day, Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. The moment Peter's simple act of faith intersected with Jesus' faithfulness, everything changed. Just as Jesus reveals and represents God, Simon Peter represents all who seek to follow Jesus.

Jesus appears to the disciples on the beach of Lake Galilee and repeats the miracle catch of fish (see last week), to remind them of who He is. He then reinstates Peter, calling him to serve and to follow Jesus in all His ways. Jesus is clear that this call on Peter's life will involve sacrifice, which for Peter involves the ultimate cost. As we hear the Lord's declaration of love over us and see His sacrifice for us, are we willing to follow Him and serve?

 "Staycation Destinations" on Family Life Presque Isle extends about five miles into Lake Erie, giving northwest Pennsylvanians -- and visitors from a wide range of the region -- a combination of lake front beaches, walking trails, natural settings and so much more. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, swimming, wildlife watching, and rentals of kayaks and paddleboards and boats. Environmental Education Specialist Tom Laskos gives us a radio tour of Presque Isle State Park, which sees 4.2 million visitors a year. The popular summer Pontoon Boat Tours continue until the week of Labor Day (Fridays and weekends, through September 10, 2023). Laskos also highlights upcoming autumn events, including a butterfly catch/tag/release event, and a cast-iron cooking challenge between three Pennsylvania state parks. (Cooks AND diners can sign up now.) Presque Isle State Park is just west of Erie in Mill Creek Township, Pennsylvania. Admission for the day-use park and the pontoon tours are free. First-come, first-served sign-ups for those who are in line begin 15 minutes before each of the three rides through the lagoon. - - - - - - - This weekend's Side Trip Suggestion: A visit to a garden representative of Bible times doesn't necessarily take a flight to the Middle East's Holy Lands. You can walk through one --- with a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Biblical Botanical Garden displays more than 100 tropical and temperate plants from Biblical times. The garden at the Rodef Shalom Temple displays the horticulture, agriculture and archeology of the ancient Bible lands. Cedars and olive trees are there, as are barley, figs, pomegranates, and dates. You can see a waterfall, a desert, and a natural representation of the River Jordan flowing from Lake Galilee to the Dead Sea.

The story from John 6:1-13 TPT After this Jesus went to the other side of the Lake of Tiberias,  which is also known as Lake Galilee.  And a massive crowd of people followed him everywhere. They were attracted by his miracles and the healings they watched him perform.  Jesus went up the slope of a hill and sat down with his disciples. ''The natural man is attracted to the supernatural. People followed Jesus because they were attracted to the supernatural in His teaching.'' ''Because you are His disciple the Kingdom will flow through you to meet a need.''

SummaryThe Bible says that no matter what life storms we are going through at the moment, Jesus intercedes for us. He loves us and he is for us. IntroductionWhere is Jesus in all this? He seems to have abandoned me when I needed him the most. Have you ever thought that? The account of the disciples caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee promises that's not the case. Their experience shows us that Jesus intercedes for us when we're in the eye of a storm. Didn't Jesus Know About the Storm?There must have been moments when the disciples were battling the wind and the waves, far from the shores of Lake Galilee when they thought, Why isn't Jesus here? Why did he insist we get in the boat and make our way to the other side? Didn't he know there was going to be a storm? Why has he abandoned us when we need him the most? Jesus Was Praying for His DisciplesBut Matthew tells us Jesus hadn't abandoned them at all. Jesus knew there would be a storm and he was praying for his disciples. Jesus is God in human form, and so he knows the past, the present and the future. He was praying about the storm even before the winds started picking up. Jesus Intercedes for Us Before the FatherJesus has prayed for us and all that we've faced in the past. Jesus intercedes for us through this cost of living crisis and anything else we're facing right now. He's prayed for what we'll go through this year too. He's praying we'll make it through whatever storms we face. The Bible says that no matter what life storms we are going through at the moment, Jesus intercedes for us. He loves you. He is for you. If you trust him as your Saviour, he is interceding for you right now. Think It OverThink about the following: Knowing Jesus intercedes for us, what would you ask Jesus to pray for you today? There's a new episode of Battle Drill Devotional every Monday through Friday. Click on the link - https://linktr.ee/battlefieldresources - to listen, watch or subscribe to this podcast. Unless otherwise shown, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. This Week's Battle Drill DevotionalsMonday 14 August - You Need to Focus on Jesus not the Storm Tuesday 15 August - When Jesus Stills The Storm You'll Immediately Feel Secure Wednesday 16 August - How to Walk on Water? Get Out of the Boat! Thursday 17 August - Don't Panic - Fix Your Eyes On Jesus For Your Survival Friday 18 August - Tested by the Storms Of Life? Jesus Intercedes For Us Related Links

Mark 4:35-41 to Mark 5:1-8   Jesus Calms the stormJesus has spent the whole of Ch 4 to this point explaining what the kingdom of God is like and speaking in parables to those listening and to the disciples - v9, v24Then we come into the story of the boat on the Sea of Galilee – and Jesus discovers just how much or how little the disciples have listened and understood!Jesus decides where they are going. He wants to cross to the non-Jewish side, inhabited by gentiles and the region of the Gerasene's.As they set out a fierce storm erupts from nowhere and the boat begins to take on water – Jesus remains asleep throughout the storm and they have to wake him as they fear for their lives – whatever they have or have not learnt through the teachings is forgotten and they panic and wake Jesus saying that “teacher don't you care that we are going to drown”?Phil Moore says thisJesus knows that his life will end on the cross at Calvary and not at the bottom of Lake Galilee and yet his disciples do not share his confidence! They have heard and forgotten – Jesus brought them into the storm to give them an opportunity to see and remember- which they fail! The wind and the waves have caused them to forget his identity and his mission. – He challenges them – where is your faith?They need to learn to handle storms before they can start to play their own part in his story.Identify with this? How do we cope in the storms of life? Do we forget Jesus identity and mission – his promises and his faithfulness?Tom Wright“Go on – wake Jesus up, pray to him in your fear and anger – but don't be surprised when he turns to you and asks “where is your faith?”Remember who he is:  Psalms 89:8-9, v11Jesus wakes and rebukes the wind and the waves, “Silence be still”. In the Greek he speaks two words which translated are “Shush. Be muzzled”. Is this storm is not just a normal storm but is in fact from the enemy? Jesus rebuking the wind and waves says the same words he uses when dealing with the enemy and his forces. Jesus does not need to rebuke his creation – it's his – he can just say “be still” and it will be.The enemy knows where Jesus is going (Ch 5) and what's going to happen when he gets there and will do anything to stop him.4:41 – The disciples5:5 – The demonsThe demons recognise Jesus who is revealed in all his power and authority in this story and they have to flee and the man is set free and in his right mind – it's a great story! He is King of all the earth – they had to obey, they had no choice! He even has to give them permission to enter the swine – they cannot just go – He is in control!Ephesians 1:19-22ALL things – creation, the wind and the waves, every scheme of the enemy, your life, your struggles, your work situation, your school situation, your finances, your job, your boss, your weaknesses, your sin and your health.Let's see and remember who Jesus is and the authority he has – in ALL things! It's all about FAITH. Faith in the storms,Jesus's  first two miracles in Ch 6 are about FAITH.The woman with the issue of blood – Jesus says “Daughter your faith has made you well” Jairus's daughter – She died because Jesus was delayed – Jesus says“Have faith – she is not dead but asleep.When the storms come Jesus wants us to have faith in him and trust him – he has got this!John Ortberg says this“Peace doesn't come from finding a lake with no storms: it comes from having Jesus in the boat with you through those storms”Questions1. Why do you think the disciples struggled to have faith whilst in the boat?2. What are some of the reasons we struggle when the storms of life hit us?3. If we don't have faith - what's the opposite?4. Why does the story about the demonised man help

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, it is the 2nd of August, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Job 38:4:“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?Who has gathered the wind in His fists?Who has bound the waters in a garment?Who has established all the ends of the earth?What is His name, and what is His Son's name,If you know?”Proverbs 30:4Then we go to the Gospel of Mark 4:41:" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"Oh, we need to show much more respect and honour to this mighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Indeed, He is a miracle-working God. In five weeks' time, I have the privilege of taking a very large group of pilgrims to Israel, to Jesus country. Oh, what a day that will be when we touch down at the airport at Ben Gurion! We will walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. We will sit together on the shores of Lake Galilee, which is approximately 13 km wide and 21 km long, and listen to the gentle waves lapping up against the shore. But you know that that lake can become very stormy and extremely dangerous in a matter of hours. It's my favourite place in Jesus country, the Lake of Galilee, and I will tell the pilgrims the story of the Son of God who literally walked across the lake on the top. Yes, it is not a shallow lake, it is extremely deep, 13 km across the top of the water. What man has ever done that? What man has ever walked on water? And that same man, the Son of God, calmed the raging storm with one word. We must honour and respect Him. That is when Peter said, "Who is this man that even the waves and the wind respect Him?". I want to say to you today, my dear friend, call upon Jesus if you have a need or a problem, and He will help you. He will not fail you. In 1 Peter 5:7, the word of God says: "…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 13th of July, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in Proverbs 15:23: "A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11A word of encouragement, spoken in season, is worth so much - it can absolutely make a person. We need to go out and speak life to people and not death. "But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." Mark 16:7 After the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Angel of the Lord told the disciples to go to Galilee, and there they will meet the Saviour, but do you know what is so interesting? Peter, the big fisherman who promised Jesus that he would die for Him, said, "I will never leave you", and he denied the Lord no less than three times. He was absolutely devastated by what he had done, but listen to how sensitive the Lord is - "Go and tell the disciples - and Peter…" Why did He say that? I will tell you why He said that - because He knew Peter would never go to Galilee on his own because he had failed the Lord so badly. Yet, the Lord brought a word through the Angel in season and not only that, but He asked Peter three times if he loved Him on the shores of Lake Galilee, and after that, Peter took his rightful place and headed up the church. I want to say to you today, it is so important to bring a good word in season, especially to someone who has messed up, someone who has dropped the ball, someone who has let people down. Encourage them to get up again, dust themselves off and get back into the fight. Many years ago, we had a Mighty Men Conference on the farm at Shalom, and I remember walking down the sawdust trail at the back of the big tent up to the platform. As I walked along, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me just to put my hand on the shoulder of one of the men sitting on the aisle. I stopped and said, "I just want to tell you Jesus loves you." That's all I said, and I continued to the platform to commence my preaching. Do you know I got that man's email a few days later? He said, "I had been there the whole weekend. I had heard all the preaching, I had heard all the wonderful music," he said "but it didn't move me." He said, "When you told me that Jesus loves me and you put your hand on my shoulder, I was converted at that moment, and I am serving Jesus Christ from now on." A word in season is necessary. Do it today!Jesus bless you and goodbye.

This episode introduces the latest series about WINNING THE BATTLE.Who is the villain in this series? Who is the hero? And why don't we have to worry when we are on Jesus' side?All these questions are answered in this short episode explaining Jesus authority over evil spirits!***WARNING: This episode contains information about Satan. If you do not want your child to know about Satan please don't listen to this episode. If you child is ok to watch villains in Disney movies, then it is likely they will be ok to tune into this episode.*** For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereFollow The Word On The Street Podcast on Instagram hereClick here to leave a review on Apple PodcastsHere are the bible verses quoted in today's episode:Bible Passage: Mark 5:1-20Jesus and his disciples crossed Lake Galilee and came to shore near the town of Gerasa.[a] 2 When he was getting out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit quickly ran to him 3 from the graveyard[b] where he had been living. No one was able to tie the man up anymore, not even with a chain. 4 He had often been put in chains and leg irons, but he broke the chains and smashed the leg irons. No one could control him. 5 Night and day he was in the graveyard or on the hills, yelling and cutting himself with stones.6 When the man saw Jesus in the distance, he ran up to him and knelt down. {Luke 8:28,“The man saw Jesus and screamed.”}  7 He shouted, “Jesus, Son of God in heaven, what do you want with me? Promise me in God's name that you won't torture me!” 8 The man said this because Jesus had already told the evil spirit to come out of him.9 Jesus asked, “What is your name?”The man answered, “My name is Lots, because I have ‘lots' of evil spirits.” 10 He then begged Jesus not to send them away.11 Over on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. 12 So the evil spirits begged Jesus, “Send us into those pigs! Let us go into them.” 13 Jesus let them go, and they went out of the man and into the pigs. The whole herd of about 2,000 pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.14 The men taking care of the pigs ran to the town and the farms to spread the news. Then the people came out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had once been full of demons. He was sitting there with his clothes on and in his right mind, and they were terrified.16 Everyone who had seen what had happened told about the man and the pigs. 17 Then the people started begging Jesus to leave their part of the country.18 When Jesus was getting into the boat, the man begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you.”20 The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis[c] and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed. Today's Questions: What do you think of villains in stories? What do you think of Satan?

Why wouldn't most everyone want to experience great joy in their life? Experiencing great joy is no huge secret but it's very subjective and varies from person to person. It actually dips into the area of philosophical thinking as there are many aspects that we could include. There are many books touting the secret to happiness and fulfillment. But in my opinion, joy goes much deeper than happiness. To illustrate this in nature, joy is not just what we see in the bubbling over of a stream but comes from the very source of the water, many times way beneath the surface. By finding the source, there is greater possibility of a well that won't run dry with one drought or change. Principles of finding that great joy are in life all around us and it is a mental perspective or picture of appreciation and awe of how life seems to be arranged to bless us. In fact, the word blessed means great joy, favor or gift. Blessed is a term used loosely, especially in spiritual phrases. Blessed was a term used in a scriptural sermon expounded on a hill on the shore of Lake Galilee in North Israel more than 2,000 years ago. (It's written in the New Testament book of Matthew 5 in the Sermon on the Mount) The terms used at that time were phrased differently than today, but the root principles of joy and blessedness are timeless. We will cover four areas here that I hope will at least stimulate your thinking about joy. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/great-joy/

 “…Jesus' followers went down to Lake Galilee. It was dark now, and Jesus had not yet come to them.” (John...

Jim Flanigan preaches on the post-resurrection incident where the Lord Jesus meets His disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee after they have caught 153 fish. Reading: John 21:1-14. (Message preached in Scotland in the year 2,000). Complete series: The Last Sign – Jim Allen In the Garden of Gethsemane – Jim Flanigan The Lord's Religious Trials – Jim Allen The Lord's Civil Trials – Jim Allen The Crucifixion – Jim Flanigan The Lord's Death and Burial – Jim Allen The post Christ on The Lake Shore (32 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.

Read Matthew 14:22-36. Where is Jesus in all this? He seems to have abandoned me when I needed him the most. Have you ever thought that? The account of the disciples caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee promises that's not the case. There must have been moments when the disciples were battling the wind and the waves, far from the shores of Lake Galilee when they thought, Why isn't Jesus here? Why did he insist we get in the boat and make our way to the other side? Didn't he know there was going to be a storm? Why has he abandoned us when we need him the most? But Matthew tells us Jesus hadn't abandoned them at all. Jesus knew there would be a storm and he was praying for his disciples. Jesus is God in human form, and so he knows the past, the present and the future. He was praying about the storm even before the winds started picking up. Jesus had prayed for us and all that we've faced in the past. He's praying through this cost of living crisis and anything else you're facing right now. He's prayed for what we'll go through this year too. He's praying we'll make it through whatever storms we face. The Bible says that no matter what life storms you are going through at the moment, Jesus is praying for you. He loves you. He is for you. If you trust him as your Saviour, he is interceding for you right now. THINK IT OVERThink about the following: What would you ask Jesus to pray for you today?   You can listen to an audio of these devotionals every week. Head to https://battledrilldevotional.podbean.com for more details and to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts or you can catch up with us on the Battlefield Resources Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/battlefieldresources. Like the page and get a notification when a new episode drops or sign up to be sent an email - http://eepurl.com/h2FPND. You can also watch a video version of each devotional at www.youtube.com/@RobWestwoodPayne. Unless otherwise shown, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ReadMatthew 4:12-25 MSG“When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah's revelation: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. This Isaiah-prophesied revelation came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God's kingdom is here.” Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father. From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with a sickness, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the “Ten Towns” across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.”ListenQuestionsCan Artificial Intelligence follow Jesus?What does “The Kingdom of God is here.” mean for you? What is your experience of this?What does it mean to follow Jesus if it's not merely mimicking behaviors, adopting a particular religious worldview, evangelism/religious vocation, or “being saved”? What is its relation to art, beauty, and wholeness?What is the beloved and creative community to you?

Glimpses Of GloryReader: Jon WatsonDate: 28th October 2022Passage: Luke 9:29-30-------------------For most of the time as Jesus went about he looked just an ordinary man. We don't have any description in the Bible as to what Jesus looked like — was he tall? What colour of hair did he have? What colour were his eyes? But then we see this ordinary looking man doing amazing things: healing the sick people, even raising to life dead people stilling a storm on Lake Galilee and feeding 5000 people with a few little loaves and fish. This ordinary man was clearly no ordinary person after all. And then we see why.Peter tells us "But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory, when he received honour and glory from God the Father. The voice said, "this is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him." We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain." (2 Peter 1:17-18)Jesus, as well as being an 'ordinary' man, is also the glorious Son of God. While Jesus lived on earth it was essential that he was in every sense an ordinary man because he took the place of ordinary people as he died on the cross, a perfect and sinless substitute for us sinners. But it was also essential that he was God the eternal Son to be the perfect Mediator between God and man. He is the Lord of glory. PrayerDear Lord Jesus, we worship you as our Saviour and our God. Amen.

Camp Allendale  as a summer church camp was representative of similar faith-based operations across the Midwest in the mid-twentieth century. This episode of TPC pays tribute to its culture and impact on the young lives, including your host and narrator's, as they attended annually during their Junior High  and HighSchool years. Though the narrative is more details than tales,  it should still bring smiles through personal recollections.Enjoy & blessings!!!

(English) In this message Ps Adrian talks about how your story can be a seed in these 3 points: (Mark 5:2-5 ERV) When Jesus got out of the boat, a man came to him from the caves where the dead are buried. This man had an evil spirit living inside him. (3) He lived in the burial caves. No one could keep him tied up, even with chains. (4) Many times people had put chains on his hands and feet, but he broke the chains. No one was strong enough to control him. (5) Day and night he stayed around the burial caves and on the hills. He would scream and cut himself with rocks. (Mark 5:6-8 ERV) While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him. He ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. (7-8) As Jesus was saying, “You evil spirit, come out of this man,” the man shouted loudly, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you in God's name not to punish me!” (Mark 5:15 NLT) They came to Jesus, and they saw the man who had the many evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid. (Mark 5:18-20 ERV) Jesus was preparing to leave in the boat. The man who was now free from the demons begged to go with him. (19) But Jesus did not allow the man to go. He said, “Go home to your family and friends. Tell them about all that the Lord did for you. Tell them how the Lord was good to you.” (20) So the man left and told the people in the Ten Towns about the great things Jesus did for him. Everyone was amazed. (Mark 7:31-35 NLT)   Then Jesus left the area around Tyre and went through Sidon. On his way to Lake Galilee he went through the area of the Ten Towns. (32) While he was there, some people brought a man to him who was deaf and could not talk clearly. The people begged Jesus to put his hand on the man to heal him. (33) Jesus led the man away from the people to be alone with him. He put his fingers in the man's ears. Then he spit on a finger and put it on the man's tongue. (34) Jesus looked up to the sky and with a loud sigh he said, “Ephphatha!” (This means “Open!”) (35) As soon as Jesus did this, the man was able to hear. He was able to use his tongue, and he began to speak clearly. 1.Share Your Story (Mark 5:19 NLT) But Jesus did not allow the man to go. He said, “Go home to your family and friends. Tell them about all that the Lord did for you. Tell them how the Lord was good to you.” 1. Life Before Receiving Jesus 2. Your Encounter with Jesus 3. Life After Receiving Jesus 2.Your Story in 3 Minutes (Colossians 4:5 NIV) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Acts 1:8 NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Today we'll see how many people miss the main point of this true incident when Jesus calms a storm on Lake Galilee. It's not all about us! Web: www.lw-cc.org Email: office@lw-cc.org

Christ's purposeful appearance to his disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee. Here is a vivid reminder to carry out gospel work according to his instructions, the need of receiving spiritual nourishment from Christ and the question of love to Christ.

Paul & Liz Lynch join us and share from their hearts from the narrative of Jesus and the disciples in the storm on Lake Galilee.

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5, verses 1-20On this feast of St. John Bosco, Jesus gets into a boat with his friends and crosses over to the other side of Lake Galilee. What he encounters there is a madman, awe, anger and ultimately healing. He simply had to have the courage to make the journey. Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah's sermon:Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,road to the sea, over Jordan,Galilee, crossroads for the nations.People sitting out their lives in the darksaw a huge light;Sitting in that dark, dark country of death,they watched the sun come up.This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God's kingdom is here.” Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father. Support the show (https://thisis.church/give)

Glimpses Of Glory Reader: Jon Watson Date: 28th October 2021 Time: Passage: Luke 9:29-30 ------------------- For most of the time as Jesus went about he looked just an ordinary man. We don't have any description in the Bible as to what Jesus looked like — was he tall? What colour of hair did he have? What colour were his eyes? But then we see this ordinary looking man doing amazing things: healing the sick people, even raising to life dead people stilling a storm on Lake Galilee and feeding 5000 people with a few little loaves and fish. This ordinary man was clearly no ordinary person after all. And then we see why. Peter tells us "But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory, when he received honour and glory from God the Father. The voice said, "this is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him." We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain." (2 Peter 1:17-18) Jesus, as well as being an 'ordinary' man, is also the glorious Son of God. While Jesus lived on earth it was essential that he was in every sense an ordinary man because he took the place of ordinary people as he died on the cross, a perfect and sinless substitute for us sinners. But it was also essential that he was God the eternal Son to be the perfect Mediator between God and man. He is the Lord of glory. ## Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, we worship you as our Saviour and our God. Amen.

“And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.Luke 8:39The power of personal testimony!You know that is what bought Jill and me to Christ. It wasn't a great preacher. It was ordinary people, getting up into the pulpit and sharing about what Jesus had done to change their lives. You see, you can't argue with a testimony. Either you believe it or you reject it because you weren't there. There is something so innocent, so pure about an honest, simple testimony. No, no so-called professionalism about it. No weeping, shock, words that are all back to front but there is something so beautiful about it. “I once was lost but now I am found”. That is what John Newton said when he wrote Amazing Grace. Can you imagine this man - His name was Legion because he had so many demons in him and Jesus set him free. And here he was in the town, telling the people that he was free. People were petrified of this man, he was a mad man. They had even tried to chain him and he broke the chains. He lived in the hills alone on the other side of Lake Galilee. I have been to that place - it is barren, even today. Now, here he was, perfectly dressed. Normal, clothed in his right mind - what a testimony!You know just after that day that Jill and I gave our lives to Christ - the next morning my neighbour and I, Ian, were on our way to a cattle sale. He was the commandant of the local commandos, he was a big tough boy. He was a wonderful man. I think we had probably been in the pub on Saturday night together and we were driving down the road in the pick-up and The Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Testify - Tell him what has happened to you!”I was stuttering and I was nervous and I said “Ian, something happened to me yesterday.” And he said, “What happened to you Angus? I said: ”Yesterday, Jesus touched my life and He has given me freedom.”I looked at Ian. He had gone a bit grey and he said, “Angus, I am so pleased for you.”I said, “What about you Ian?”“No”, he said, “Not for me Angus. Not yet.”You know, two years later, I was sitting in my farm office on a Saturday afternoon, I will never forget it... It was Ian, He said: “Angus, I need help.” I said, “Ian, I am on my way.” I came across to his house and on the carpet in the lounge, in front of his family, Ian and I prayed the sinner's prayer together.Go out today and tell someone what Jesus has done for you.God bless you and goodbye.

The healing of the Gerasene man who was demonized by a “legion” of demons (Mark 5:1–20) calls for explanations and reflection at many points. To pick up on six:(1) The setting is Gentile territory on the east side of Lake Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis (Mark 5:20), the Ten Cities of largely Gentile constitution. That point is clear even from the herd of pigs, something that no self-respecting Jew would keep.(2) The poor man described in these verses was subject to some sort of cyclical attack. At times he was docile enough to be chained, and then the attack would be so desperately strong that he could tear the chains apart and free himself. Banished from home and hearth, he lived among the tombs, where he cried out and lacerated himself, a man in the final throes of destruction by demonic powers (Mark 5:5). We should not assume that every case of what is today called insanity is the result of demonic activity; neither should we adopt the reductionism that reduces all demonism to chemical imbalances in the brain.(3) The words addressed to Jesus (Mark 5:6–8), though on the lips of the man, are the product of the “evil spirit.” This spirit knows enough (a) to recognize who Jesus is, and (b) to live in horrible anticipation of the ultimate doom that awaits him.(4) This exchange between Jesus and the “evil spirit” has two elements not found in any other exorcism in the canonical Gospels. First, the strange interplay between the singular and plural—“My name is Legion, … for we are many”—suggests an ambiguity in certain demonic activity. Moreover, as Jesus hints elsewhere, multiple invasion by unclean spirits is a “worse” condition to be scrupulously avoided (Matt. 12:45). Second, these demons do not wish to leave the area, and they do wish to be embodied (Mark 5:10, 12). Jesus accedes to both requests. Presumably this reflects in part the fact that the final hour for their banishment has not yet arrived.(5) While it is essential to reflect on Jesus' absolute mastery over these evil spirits, one must add that he does not call forth these spirits one by one, solicit their names, enter into conversation with them, or a host of other things commonly practiced by some who are given to “deliverance ministries.”(6) The responses to this deliverance are striking. The delivered man wants to follow Jesus, and is commissioned to bear witness, in his Gentile world, to how much the Lord has done for him and how he has shown him mercy (Mark 5:18–20). The people of the region beg Jesus to leave (Mark 5:17): they prefer pigs to people, their financial security to the transformation of a life. This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson's book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan.

“Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” Mark 9:5We are talking about the Mount of Transfiguration where our Heavenly Father came down and met with His Son, Jesus. Moses and Elijah were also standing by. Peter wanted to stay up on the mountain with Jesus in a safe place but after Jesus had spoken with Elijah and Moses and His Heavenly Father, He took the three disciples, Peter, James and John back down the mountain into the valley again.Now, in the valley, that is where all the sick people were, the fearful people - that is where all the challenges of this tired old world are to be found, not on the mountain. So what we say is - First the mountain and then the ministry. Yes, we need to get away and we need to rest but we cannot stay there forever. The lost and the hurting, the sick and the weary, the widows and orphans are in the valley. That is where we are needed.After Jesus's resurrection, He met Peter on the shores of Lake Galilee and He asked Peter three questions. Three times He said: “Peter do you love me?” And three times Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, You know I love you.”And then the Lord said to Peter:“Feed My sheep.” John 21:17You and I need to roll up our sleeves and we need to get dirty and get back in the fight and to help the poor. You say, “But, Angus, I am tired. I have been let down, I have been misunderstood - I am tired of the church.” We are the church, you and me, and we do make mistakes. It does get dirty but that is where God has put us. We need to shine in the darkness - It is very easy to go up that mountain and to sit in the presence of God, It is a beautiful place. It's my favourite place but that is not where the people are. The people are in the world and they need you and me to love them, to wash their dirty feet and to walk with them in the darkness.God bless you as you have a good rest today up on the mountain - that's right and get ready for Monday morning.God bless you and goodbye.

Beginning this weekend, I want to begin another series of homilies, which will run through the end of August. I have taken the readings of the Sunday Masses and looked for a thread that is especially present in them. When the homily deals with the readings of a particular day, sometimes the overall perspective, the structure, the relationship between the messages from one Sunday to the next Sunday is lost. When all the readings are read at the same time, one may lose details, but one captures the ideas that are most reiterated or predominant in them. I have been praying about this topic for several weeks now and I have decided to focus on two aspects: the world's rejection of Christ and his disciples, and the Holy Eucharist. If I had to give a title to this series of homilies, I would use the words that Simeon used to describe to Mary, Jesus' mission on earth: "a sign of contradiction". Let us look, for example, at today's readings. In Ezekiel's prophecy, God accuses his people of having rejected him. The Lord calls Israel a rebellious, hard-hearted people who have rebelled against him. In the second reading, St. Paul said that he is content in the midst of insults, suffering, and persecution. That is to say, he takes it for granted that his message will meet with opposition from many, some who will even do violence to him, and in fact, he himself will end up martyred by the sword in Rome. Finally, today's Gospel is the sad story of Christ who on his return to Nazareth is rejected by his own people, who despise him for being the "carpenter". The sacred text tells us that Jesus was surprised by their lack of faith. In the first reading, the message of Yahweh through the prophet is rejected. In the second reading, the Apostle's message is rejected. In today's Gospel, Christ himself is rejected. Rejection, rejection, rejection. History repeats itself without interruption even to this day. You may recall that last Sunday, the Holy Gospel recounted the miracles of the healing of the hemorrhagic woman and the resurrection of Jairus' daughter. St. Mark told us that such wonders happened when Jesus arrived by boat from the other shore of Lake Galilee. What had happened on the other shore? Jesus had been rejected by the foreigners. "They begged him to go away from there," says the evangelist (Mk 5:17). Jesus returns to Jewish territory because the foreigners had driven him away. This Sunday, however, the message is not the rejection by foreigners, but the rejection by his own people, his neighbors, his own family. We are going to speak about this topic because I think it is very important. As I said, it will be a recurrent theme in the coming weeks. In today's world, we could use this analogy: the "foreigners" are those who do not call themselves Christians and the family of Jesus and his people are the Church. Christ is rejected by both without distinction. It is true that the Lord will find love in some of his disciples, but for the most part, Jesus will be rejected. As St. John writes at the beginning of his Gospel: "He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him." (Jn 1:11) Our Master was and is a "sign of contradiction". Fidelity to the teaching of the Church in today's world is paid for with scorn, humiliation, disparagement, attacks, caricaturing, mockery, and opposition - even on the part of many believers. The sign of our condition as disciples of the Crucified One is love, and the sign of our fidelity to that condition is the rejection of the world. In other words, we, like Jesus, are either peaceful "signs of contradiction" ready for martyrial fidelity, or we are not Christians. Either we embrace and accept our destiny to suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel and the Church, or we become, in the words of St. Paul, "enemies of the cross of Christ". (Phil 3:18) The homilies in this series will end with two prayers, to be said by those who have the heart and courage to pray them with truth. If you do not agree, if they seem to you an exaggeration, or if they frighten you, or if you do not want to live them, it is better not to say them. Simply listen to them. They were written by St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis of Assisi. I have learned them in Spanish and Italian, and for years I have been saying them every day. They express not what we are, but what we want to become. The first, from St. Ignatius, is this: “in order to imitate and be more actually like Christ our Lord, I want and choose poverty with Christ poor rather than riches, opprobrium with Christ replete with it rather than honors; and to desire to be rated as worthless and a fool for Christ, Who first was held as such, rather than wise or prudent in this world.” The words of St. Francis are: “May the fiery and honey-sweet power of your love, O Lord, wean me from all things under heaven, so that I may die for love of your love, who deigned to die for love of my love.” May the Lord grant us the grace of union with Him in the mystery of His rejection by the world so that we may one day be eternally welcomed into the eternal kingdom of Paradise.

The third appearance of Jesus to groups of his disciples took place on the shore of Lake Galilee. After serving his disciples breakfast, Jesus addresses Peter in front of the others. He asks him three times if he loves him, corresponding to the Peter's three denials during Jesus' trial. Peter affirms his love for Christ, and Christ tells him three times to feed, to tend, his lambs and his sheep. Peter's authority to be the leader of the apostles was thus confirmed by Christ. He was forgiven and restored - thus in Peter's failings and restoration we, as weak and imperfect Christians, have hope that Christ will use us also in his service.

End of Gloom for Galilee(Isa. 9:1–5)Why does Isaiah 9:1 begin with a word (But/Nevertheless) that indicatesa contrast to what precedes it?_____________________________________________________Isaiah 8:21, 22 describes the hopeless condition of those who turnto the occult rather than to the true God: wherever they look, they will“see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they willbe thrust into thick darkness” (Isa. 8:22, NRSV). By contrast, therewill come a time when “there will be no gloom for those who were inanguish” (Isa. 9:1, NRSV). The people of the Galilee region are singledout here as receiving the special blessing of “a great light” (Isa. 9:2,NRSV). The nation will be multiplied and rejoice because God willhave broken “the rod of their oppressor” (Isa. 9:4, NRSV).The region of Lake Galilee is depicted here because it was among thefirst territories of Israel to be conquered. In response to Ahaz’s requestfor aid, Tiglath-pileser III took the Galilee and Transjordanian regions ofnorthern Israel, carried some of the people captive, and turned the ter-ritories into Assyrian provinces (2 Kings 15:29). So, Isaiah’s message isthat the first to be conquered would be the first to see deliverance.Whom does God use to deliver His people? (Isa. 9:6, 7.)_____________________________________________________When and how was the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1–5 fulfilled? (Matt.4:12–25.)_____________________________________________________Not by accident, Jesus’ early ministry was in the Galilee region,where He gave hope by announcing the good news of God’s kingdomand by healing people, including delivering demoniacs from bondageto the occult (Matt. 4:24).Here is where we see a perfect example of how the Bible takes eventsthat happened in Old Testament times and uses them to prefigure thingsthat will happen in New Testament times. The Lord mixed imagesfrom one era with those of another, such as in Matthew 24, when Jesusmingled the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70 with the destruction atthe end of the world.If someone were to ask you, What has Jesus delivered you from,what would you answer? What personal testimony can you giveregarding the power of Christ in your life?

The "Sermon on the Mount" gets its name from the Latin Vulgate Bible's heading for Matthew 5 "Sermo in Monte."  Perhaps it should be called the hill-side sermon.  According to tradition, it was given on a hill-side at the North-West end of the Lake Galilee.  Delivered early in Jesus' ministry, this sermon contains the essence of the Christian message.  In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner delivers his own contemporary English translation of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, rendered in a way listeners will understand, and find compelling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glimpses Of Glory Reader: Jon Watson Date: 28th October 2020 Time: ------------------- For most of the time as Jesus went about he looked just an ordinary man. We don't have any description in the Bible as to what Jesus looked like — was he tall? What colour of hair did he have? What colour were his eyes? But then we see this ordinary looking man doing amazing things: healing the sick people, even raising to life dead people stilling a storm on Lake Galilee and feeding 5000 people with a few little loaves and fish. This ordinary man was clearly no ordinary person after all. And then we see why. Peter tells us "But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory, when he received honour and glory from God the Father. The voice said, "this is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him." We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain." (2 Peter 1:17-18) Jesus, as well as being an 'ordinary' man, is also the glorious Son of God. While Jesus lived on earth it was essential that he was in every sense an ordinary man because he took the place of ordinary people as he died on the cross, a perfect and sinless substitute for us sinners. But it was also essential that he was God the eternal Son to be the perfect Mediator between God and man. He is the Lord of glory. ## Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, we worship you as our Saviour and our God. Amen.

An exposition of Johns gospel chapter 21. Jesus appears to the disciples for the third time after the resurrection. They are at Lake Galilee. After breakfast Jesus publicly reinstates Peter, by asking him some hard questions. The post The Gospel of John – Part 29 appeared first on Community Life Church.

Jesus and the disciples were caught in a storm on Lake Galilee and with a word from Jesus the wind and waters calmed. This is about Jesus’ ability to calm the storms in our lives but it also tells us something about the identity of Jesus. If only God has power over nature the disciples realised they were in the presence of someone divine.

Today's episode is about fish. Do you like fishing? Jesus is teaching crowds at Lake Galilee. Jesus uses Simon's boat as a stage for teaching. Then they row out to the deep water and catch fish. Then something amazing happens! Luke 5:1-11 “Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret,[a] teaching the people as they crowded around him to hear God's message. 2 Near the shore he saw two boats left there by some fishermen who had gone to wash their nets. 3 Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon and asked him to row it out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus sat down[b] in the boat to teach the crowd. 4 When Jesus had finished speaking, he told Simon, “Row the boat out into the deep water and let your nets down to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” 6 They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. 7 Then they signalled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don't come near me! I am a sinner.” 9 Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don't be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” 11 The men pulled their boats up on the shore. Then they left everything and went with Jesus.” Have you ever tried to tame an animal? Or teach your pet to do a trick? Jesus can tell all the fish to go to a certain area of a lake and they do! Why did Jesus help Simon, James and John? He proved who he is - someone who gets power from God. They weren't exactly sure who he was at that point but were sure enough of Jesus that they left everything to follow Jesus. They dropped their nets on the beach and left everything. Following Jesus means being Jesus' student. The disciples lived with Jesus and travelled with Jesus, listened to him teach the crowd and were also taught privately by Jesus. They left their families and their homes to be Jesus' students. Discussion Questions: If you were fishing all day with a professional fisherman and caught nothing, and then a stranger who had never fished before came into the boat and told you how to catch more fish than you'd even seen before, what would you think? If Jesus asked you to follow him in the same way he asked Simon Peter, what would you do? How does Jesus want us to follow him in 2020?

Do we hear God prompting us to do something in His name? And if we do, how do we respond? Everyone taking part in At Your Service this week has answered that call to serve God, in very different ways. Over 4 million Mothers' Union members working in 84 different countries serve God by meeting the needs they find in their local communities - and during the Covid-19 pandemic those needs have ranged from providing food for people who are starving, to making face coverings and supporting low-income key workers separated from their families. Recently, Mothers' Union leaders put a special service on-line, to support and encourage their members. Called 'Love Thy Neighbour' it's a celebration of community and kindness, and you can hear the address given by the guest speaker - the Bishop of London, the Rt Hon and Rt Rev'd Dame Sarah Mullally DBE. Earlier this week, the appointment of the Rt Reverend Stephen Cottrell as the 98th Archbishop of York was confirmed, following the retirement of Dr John Sentamu in June this year. But the new Archbishop's Enthronement was yet another casualty of the Covid-19 crisis, and instead of a great celebration in York Minster, Archbishop Stephen began his ministry with a video service on-line. But, as you'll hear, he managed to make it original, and symbolic of his wish to take the church out into the community, and the world. A conversation between Archbishop Stephen, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev'd Justin Welby, reveals what they wish for their new working partnership. And closer to home in Laxey, Mrs Brenda Kinnish imagines herself back on the shore of Lake Galilee as she reflects on some verses from St Matthew's Gospel. As usual there are some great hymns, too - and I'd love to hear from you if you have a favourite you'd like to hear on the programme. Email me with details - judithley@manx.net

The message is an exposition of the first half of John chapter 6. Jesus feeds the five thousand and then walks on Lake Galilee to catch the disciples up. The next day He starts a long discourse with a crowd of people who had shared the miraculous meal with Him the day before. The post The Gospel of John – Part 10 appeared first on Community Life Church.

In this episode I want you to understand how Jesus chose his friends. He related to a lot of people and was pretty popular with many of them, because he was miraculous. But heaps of people didn't like him, because he was popular but also because he was changing God's laws a bit. We know that he IS God, and so could do that, but some of the people felt like he was disrespecting God. I can kind of relate a bit to that. If you were Jesus and had to choose some people to be your disciples, which kind of person would you choose? Someone who is funny and does crazy stuff to make you laugh? Would you choose the educated scholar who has been to university and spent years studying the bible? Would you choose a priest? Or a doctor? or someone else who has proven that they are educated? Or would you choose someone who is well loved by the community? Someone who is generous with their belonging, who gives to the poor and looks after those in need? What about someone with power? Someone who has lots of servants or soldiers to boss around? Or someone with lots of money? Jesus did not choose any of these types of people to become his disciples. He chose 12 men who would tour around Israel with him, listen to him teach and who would be trained by Jesus for approximately 3 years. We aren't told the occupation of all of the disciples Jesus chose, but we do know that he chose at least 4 fishermen. We also know that he chose a tax collector (which was the career of a scam artist in those days, collecting money for the government and then collecting heaps extra for themselves!) He also chose zealot, which was the term used in those days to refer to a political activist. Here's the story of Jesus asking Peter, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples from Matthew 4:18-22: “While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. Right away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.” Jesus also spent a lot of time with people who were not popular! Matthew 9:10-17 says “Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. 11 Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?” Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.' I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” Discussion Questions: Would you say you are more like a Pharisee or a tax collector? Why/Why not? What are the character traits that you look for in a friend? Are you a good friend and what can you do to be a better friend?

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below. Read Psalm 27  Listen to Psalm 27 This psalm is likely to have been written by David during his pursuit by Saul or possibly his flight from Absalom. Verses 1-7 - This is a wonderful affirmation of the security of God's people, expressing supreme confidence in God to deliver David from his enemies. It is through him seeking and having the desire to be in God's presence that he knows he would be delivered. Compare this to when Jesus calmed the storm on Lake Galilee, even though the disciples had seen Jesus perform many miracles, they were still scared. “Why are you afraid”? Jesus asked, implying that in His presence there is safety. Perhaps a lesson for us in this current health crisis – with Jesus in our ‘boat' we need not be fearful. Verses 8-12 - David quickly turns to prayer which shouldn't be neglected even when we are confident of God's provision. Verses 13-14 - The psalm ends as it began with an expression of confidence. He who earnestly desires to see with the eye of faith, the beauty of the Lord (verse 4) is sure, that before he dies, he will see the Lord's goodness in his life. David is so certain that he urges others to ‘wait for the Lord'. Lord, your word tells us that your presence is always with those who love you. Please drive this into our hearts and remind us every day so that we need not be fearful about the events of life.

Are you hungry for God? Is it hard to hear God when you're full? Jesus takes the initiative to not just heal and teach but also to feed a large crowd near Lake Galilee. He gives them more than enough and reminds us--we will always be hungry until we let God feed us.Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way. This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 14:22-36. Jesus has fed 5,000 plus people, and he spent most of the night in prayer. Now he goes to his disciples by walking on the water and soon enough, his disciple Simon Peter wants to join him out on the water. He gets out of the boat and actually walks on the water! After a moment he gets scared and starts to doubt and then he starts to sink. Faith can stumble at times. Fix your eyes on Jesus if you want to see the impossible happen. Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channelGet a copy of book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional: Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Who do you think Jesus chose to spend time with during his ministry on earth? Did he ally himself with the spiritual leaders, the religious teachers and influencers of his day? We get to see today who he approached and where he found willing followers. If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way. This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 9:9-13. Jesus has been busy, a lot of coming and going around Lake Galilee. We get to meet someone special in today's reading. This man is a tax collector and the religious leaders counted people like him as "sinners", people to be avoided. Jesus makes friends with him and catches criticism from the Pharisees for it. Jesus emphasizes an important point: he came to reach sinners and outsiders, to be a doctor to the sick, not to gain the respect of religious leaders. If he hadn't done that, we wouldn't have Matthew's gospel, because that tax collector was Matthew! Go ahead and get started listening and follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channelGet a copy of book 2 - Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Philippians 4:7 NLT Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Some years ago I went through a training process that measured my instinctive workplace temperament. It identified that I moved from a state of calm to catastrophe in a single step! This helped explain much of my past life and my tendency to perceive a problem as an insurmountable obstacle. From that day on I started work on addressing this characteristic. Why else do we engage in self-discovery? I discovered this also had a significant impact on my walk of faith. My catastrophic cycle obscured my view of God and I quickly became consumed with myself and my troubles. Like the disciples in the middle of the storm on Lake Galilee, I could only see the size of the waves and the strength of the wind. Sabbath at a personal level is my ability to remain centred on God despite the storms that rage around me. In losing sight of Jesus in the storm I am left to my own resources. In more recent years I have matured and can remain focused upon Jesus. The storm will be what it is. I choose to be centred upon God. The only way I can tell if I am making progress is by my physiological reaction. My body tells me if I am oppressed by the reality of the stress, or living with it but free from its control. Consider your temperament; you have a history of reactions and responses, and some you really know are harmful to you and to others. Take time to offer these temperament patterns to God and make your commitment to monitor your stress levels, however provoked. Determine to look away from the weather patterns and focus your attention upon Jesus. In this way you will live in the “perfect peace” God promises (Isaiah 26:3). QUESTION: What is your natural temperament type? PRAYER: When the storms of life hit me, help me to focus on you and experience your peace.

After the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sent his disciples out onto Lake Galilee while He went into the mountain to pray alone. In the early morning (during the Fourth Watch), Jesus walked on the water towards them. His disciples thought that the figure was a ghost, and fear gripped their hearts. But Jesus called out to them that it was indeed the Lord. This is when Peter asked to walk on the water to meet Him. We will study this story and see how it was of such encouragement to those experiencing persecution during the Early Church period.

After the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sent his disciples out onto Lake Galilee while He went into the mountain to pray alone. In the early morning (during the Fourth Watch), Jesus walked on the water towards them. His disciples thought that the figure was a ghost, and fear gripped their hearts. But Jesus called out to them that it was indeed the Lord. This is when Peter asked to walk on the water to meet Him. We will study this story and see how it was of such encouragement to those experiencing persecution during the Early Church period.

In exploring the story of Jesus calming the storm on Lake Galilee, what can we learn about faith, trust and identity (both Jesus' identity and our identity in Him)?

JOIN US The Power of An Invitation Psalms 34:3 TPT Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. _____________________________________________ There is something about an invitation... An invitation makes us feel special An invitation makes us feel wanted and accepted ________________________________________________ How many big changes can you think of that have started with a simple invitation. ________________________________________________ Personal Story —> Invited to Fathers group —> Invited to help at the church —> Invited to LifeGroup —> Invited to a Job Interview —> Invited by my niece to her wedding ________________________________________________ Maybe your life changed when… —> You were invited to the prom or on a date —> Your boss invited you out to lunch —> Your friend invited you for coffee —> A family invited your family to dinner One of the biggest most revolutionary movements of all time started with a few invitations… ________________________________________________ The biggest invitations of all: Isaiah 1:18-19 (Sinners) “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; Isaiah 55:1-3 (Destitute) "Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat..." Matthew 11:28-30 (Weary) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden…" Revelation 22:17 (Thirsty) "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come…" ________________________________________________ Jesus invites his disciples “Join me” They responded individually and quickly became a collective —. The church! ________________________________________________ Jesus disciples were not in a good place. Been passed over by the Rabbi’s. Dejected, rejected and overlooked. Invitations uplift the dejected, accept the rejected and notice the overlooked. ________________________________________________ Matthew 4:18-22 (TPT) Jesus Calls His Disciples 18 As he was walking by the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus noticed two fishermen who were brothers. One was nicknamed Keefa (later called Peter), and the other was Andrew, his brother. Watching as they were casting their nets into the water, 19 Jesus called out to them and said, “Come and follow me, and I will transform you into men who catch people for God.”[b] 20 Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus. ________________________________________________ You were invited by Jesus so that you could extend the invitation to others. ________________________________________________ Spiraled into the biggest the world has ever seen. The biggest agent of positive change. The only organization that genuinely holds the hope of the world in its grasp! ________________________________________________ John 1:40-42 Andrew inviters Peter (later invites 3000) John 1:43-46 Phillip invites Nathaniel John 4:28-30 The samaritan women invites her whole village Luke 5:27-29 Matthew invites all to feast with Jesus Acts 10:24,33 Cornelius who invites his friends and family ________________________________________________ And we could keep going until we get to your name. Someone invited you! ________________________________________________ From Andrew and Peter - to 2.2 billion believers world wide ________________________________________________ Acts 2:36-41 The Passion Translation (TPT) The Invitation 36 “Now everyone in Israel[a] can know for certain[b] that Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one God has made[c] both Lord[d] and the Messiah.” The Crowd Responds to Peter’s Words 37 When they heard this they were crushed and realized what they had done to Jesus.[e] Deeply moved, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “What do we need to do, brothers?”[f] 38 Peter replied, “Repent and return to God,[g] and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One,[h] to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for you[i] and your families, for those yet to be born[j] and for everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 Peter preached to them and warned them with these words: “Be rescued from the wayward and perverse culture of this world!”[k] 41 Those who believed the word that day numbered three thousand. They were all baptized and added to the church.[l] ________________________________________________ Someone you know needs to feel a part. They need to hear the words “Join Us” They need to hear the promises of God They need to know they are included - they are on the guest list ________________________________________________ But how will they know? Romans 10:14 (TPT) 14 But how can people call on him for help if they’ve not yet believed? And how can they believe in one they’ve not yet heard of? And how can they hear the message of life if there is no one there to proclaim it? ________________________________________________ The Holy Spirit will get them to the party, but you have to invite them. ________________________________________________ Step into the relationship Be Jesus until they get to know him personally Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it! ________________________________________________

JOIN US The Power of An Invitation Psalms 34:3 [1] TPT [2] Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. _____________________________________________ There is something about an invitation...    An invitation makes us feel special    An invitation makes us feel wanted and accepted ________________________________________________ How many big changes can you think of that have started with a simple invitation. ________________________________________________ Personal Story —> Invited to Fathers group —> Invited to help at the church —> Invited to LifeGroup —> Invited to a Job Interview —> Invited by my niece to her wedding ________________________________________________ Maybe your life changed when… —> You were invited to the prom or on a date —> Your boss invited you out to lunch —> Your friend invited you for coffee —> A family invited your family to dinner One of the biggest most revolutionary movements of all time started with a few invitations… ________________________________________________ The biggest invitations of all: Isaiah 1:18-19 (Sinners) “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; Isaiah 55:1-3 (Destitute) "Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat..."        Matthew 11:28-30 (Weary) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden…" Revelation 22:17 (Thirsty) "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who          hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come…" ________________________________________________ Jesus invites his disciples “Join me” They responded individually and quickly became a collective —. The church! ________________________________________________ Jesus disciples were not in a good place. Been passed over by the Rabbi’s. Dejected, rejected and overlooked. Invitations uplift the dejected,  accept the rejected and notice the overlooked. ________________________________________________ Matthew 4:18-22 (TPT) Jesus Calls His Disciples 18 As he was walking by the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus noticed two fishermen who were brothers. One was nicknamed Keefa (later called Peter), and the other was Andrew, his brother. Watching as they were casting their nets into the water, 19 Jesus called out to them and said, “Come and follow me, and I will transform you into men who catch people for God.”[b [3]] 20 Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus. ________________________________________________ You were invited by Jesus so that you could extend the invitation to others. ________________________________________________ Spiraled into the biggest the world has ever seen. The biggest agent of positive change. The only organization that genuinely holds the hope of the world in its grasp! ________________________________________________ John 1:40-42 Andrew inviters Peter (later invites 3000) John 1:43-46 Phillip invites Nathaniel John 4:28-30 The samaritan women invites her whole village Luke 5:27-29 Matthew invites all to feast with Jesus Acts 10:24,33 Cornelius who invites his friends and family ________________________________________________ And we could keep going until we get to your name. Someone invited you! ________________________________________________ From Andrew and Peter - to 2.2 billion believers world wide ________________________________________________ Acts 2:36-41 The Passion Translation (TPT) The Invitation 36 “Now everyone in Israel[a [4]] can know for certain[b [5]] that Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one God has made[c [6]] both Lord[d [7]] and the Messiah.” The Crowd Responds to Peter’s Words 37 When they heard this they were crushed and realized what they had done to Jesus.[e [8]] Deeply moved, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “What do we need to do, brothers?”[f [9]] 38 Peter replied, “Repent and return to God,[g [10]] and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One,[h [11]] to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for you[i [12]] and your families, for those yet to be born[j [13]] and for everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 Peter preached to them and warned them with these words: “Be rescued from the wayward and perverse culture of this world!”[k [14]] 41 Those who believed the word that day numbered three thousand. They were all baptized and added to the church.[l [15]] ________________________________________________ Someone you know needs to feel a part. They need to hear the words “Join Us” They need to hear the promises of God They need to know they are included - they are on the guest list ________________________________________________ But how will they know? Romans 10:14 (TPT) 14 But how can people call on him for help if they’ve not yet believed? And how can they believe in one they’ve not yet heard of? And how can they hear the message of life if there is no one there to proclaim it? ________________________________________________ The Holy Spirit will get them to the party, but you have to invite them. ________________________________________________ Step into the relationship Be Jesus until they get to know him personally Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it! ________________________________________________ [1] https://my.bible.com/bible/1849/PSA.34.TPT [2] https://my.bible.com/versions/1849 [3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A18-22&version=TPT#fen-TPT-3425b [4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7043a [5] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7043b [6] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7043c [7] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7043d [8] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7044e [9] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7044f [10] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7045g [11] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7045h [12] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7046i [13] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7046j [14] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7047k [15] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A36-41&version=TPT#fen-TPT-7048l

The Anglican Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel and Senior Minister of MBM Rooty Hill Ray Galea join Dominic Steele, by the shores of Lake Galilee in Israel, to discuss last week's important Anglican Gafcon Conference in Jerusalem.Plus we play out an extended interview with Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, who serves as the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, with it's 25,000,000 million members and as the chairman of the Gafcon Primate's Council.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thepastorsheart)

Dr. Rossi shares his travels to the Holy Land by describing the Lake (Sea) of Galilee and the surrounding area where Jesus did much of his ministry.

Dr. Rossi shares his travels to the Holy Land by describing the Lake (Sea) of Galilee and the surrounding area where Jesus did much of his ministry.

Dr. Rossi shares his travels to the Holy Land by describing the Lake (Sea) of Galilee and the surrounding area where Jesus did much of his ministry.