Thoughts From the Bible

Luke 8:1- 3- Now it came to pass , afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, (2) and certain women who had been healed or evil spirits and infirmities; Mary called Magdalene , out of whom had come seven demons, (3) and Joanna the wife of C huza, Herod’s ste ward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.  Why was this information about women included to start this chapter? I think it is important to realize the work of women was important to all that Jesus was doing as he went from town to town. We are living in an age when women are taking lar ge roles in churches and leadership in churches and religious organizations. We can argue about what roles women can serve and what roles may be “off limits” but we need to not lose sight that all the work is important regardless of what the work is. We need to focus on the needs that need to be met. I...

Read Mark 6: 53- 56-   Jesus caused a commotion everywhere He went. Why? People had needs. Verse 56 says,  ‘And whe rever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.’  Jesus was meeting people where they were and was meeting their needs only as the God of the universe could.  The way God’s plan is  now,  He has challenged us to be His hands and  feet and  to meet people’s needs. We need to be looking for those needs and know we are here to do  what we can to advance His kingdom. We may not be able to heal another person, but we can work to meet other needs that impact others' lives.    Proverbs 6: 20- 21-   My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.  

Read Mark 3: 1- 6-   Jesus wanted the people to move away from their legalism and see God more in their daily lives. When there are needs to be met, He wants us to see the need,  not always the circumstances surrounding the need. In verses 4 and 5 Jesus said, ‘ And He said to them, “Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?”, but they were silent.  And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.’   Jesus showed human emotions,   anger  and grief. He was angered by their shortsightedness and their value or legalism over need. He grieved because they refused to look at their own actions and see what they were doing.  I need to be careful I do  not get caught up in the routine of “how things are supposed to be” and not respond to the needs around me. Not only do I need to run from the whole id...

Read Matthew 25: 31- 46 -  This last section of chapter 25 speaks to several things that surround the end times.  The easy thing to see if how He will return and how there will be a process of separation. For some today,  they do not want to acknowledge there will be a separation of those who have accepted Jesus and those who have not.  For me, the lesson I want to take with me today  is found in verses 35 and 36,  “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you  welcomed  me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”  These acti ons Jesus spoke about are all everyday activities. These are  the basic  things of life. Activities where one person helps another . I need to make sure my eyes are  open,  and I see those around me who need food, who are thirsty, who need to feel wanted, who need basic items of life or ...