(Today's prayer from D.Kinard)
(Yesterday's prayer from D. Smith)
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www.biblegateway.com
THE TWELVE DISCIPLES/APOSTLES*part 13*
Mark 3 v. 13-19 (NIV)
Emphasis on v. 19
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve— designating them apostles— that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
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This character study of the 11 apostles has allowed us to get to know some of the men that may get overlooked through the Gospels. I hope you have been able to see how Jesus' faithful disciples were ordinary men who became extraordinary because of Him. Despite their confusion and lack of understanding during His lifetime, they became powerful witnesses to His resurrection. Their lives were transformed by God's power. God turns everything meant for evil and harm, into good for His Kingdom
Judas is the exception in regards to trusting in Jesus. Instead he chose to trust in greed, which did his conscience, soul and life no good. But in his evil betrayal and evil intent- God was still able to bring the good of His Kingdom out of it. That's the God we serve. So before you complain aloud/or on any status updates about how horrible your day is, how horrible people are, how you've given up; ask God to show You the good. Hope in God that His good intent will result from the bad circumstance; even if it's just in how you handle the situation. Remember that YOU have hope- YOU know how to pray-YOU know there is a bigger plan in motion, that it doesn't start or end with this moment or day; so how YOU handle situations should be completely different than the world.
And on to...
JUDAS ISCARIOT
*Occupation: Unknown
*Outstanding Characteristics: Treacherous and greedy.
*Major Events in Judas Iscariot's Life:
1) Became one of Jesus' disciples.
2) He betrayed Jesus.
3) Judas' killed himself.
*What Jesus said about Judas Iscariot:
-Jesus called Judas "a devil."
-Jesus said Judas would betray Him.
* A Key Lesson from Judas Iscariot's: It is not enough to be familiar with Jesus' teachings. Jesus' true followers love and obey Him.
ANSWER HONESTLY: DO YOU LOVE AND OBEY CHRIST EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE?
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Prayer: LORD Almighty, You have healed Your people. You lead Your people with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. You have lifted the yoke from our neck and have bent down to feed us. But still many of us do not love and obey You as You command us to. You say in Your Word, to love You is to obey You and love one another. Yet so many of us are not meeting this. I ask that you continue to arouse Your compassion over us. Even as we disobey and get it all wrong; You are God, and not man. You are the Holy One among us. I pray that You stir our hearts to be moved to give up our lust, our greed, our way-to live this life; every single moment- Your way. To please You. For there are no holidays from obedience. It should be the core of everything we do, as Your Word is our foundation. Thank You so much for Your patience. I pray that we're all moved to follow after the 11, and not the betrayal of Judas. You know our hearts- reveal all that is unclean, so that we can purge of it and fill ourselves with love and obedience to You. Jesus! In Your saving Name we pray, covered by Your blood. Amen
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"But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." Hosea 12:6
Helpful for the future: Keep these character studies handy as we go through Mark, the next two Gospels, books of Acts and many of the letters. It will help remind you of who these men were and hopefully help you understand them more in Scripture.
Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, and Life Application Study Bible.
Selected References: Matthew 86:20-25; Luke 22:47,48; John 12: 4-8.
www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
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