David writes about the awesome wisdom of God's creation in Psalms 19, which then takes an interesting turn. He then starts talking about how the Word of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul and also "cleanse me from secret fault," "keep your servant back from presumptuous sin." Jesus' first sermon as recorded by Mark was simple. "The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel."

The Word of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Repent and believe the Gospel. Paul said it was the power of God unto salvation. Repent in Hebrew means to turn. In the Greek it means to change the way you think. When you change how you think about the weight and sin that so easily besets us and turn away from that to God, and believe the Gospel, your life is transformed.

In John 4, a woman heaves a heavy waterpot to and fro at unusual times to avoid the crowd . A woman who has been rejected and divorced by many husbands. She comes across Jesus who offers her living water. Once she accepts who He is, she leaves the heaviness behind and runs to the people she used to avoid to proclaim Him. Perhaps she even went to some of her ex-husbands...no longer bitter, but excited and transformed by the Man who told her everything she ever did, as the promised well of everlasting life sprang up in her. Truly this is the Christ.

Christ was crucified. The disciples were in hiding. The women were mourning. The sun was rising. The mystery was beginning. The resurrection is not a day we celebrate...its a reality we live in. Despite being slain, He took the keys of death and hell back, took away death's sting and the grave's victory. May the Lord bless you greatly in this resurrection season.

Jesus enters into Jerusalem to the fanfare of people rife with Messianic fervor. The Pharisees are plotting, but everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of the Messiah, whom recently resurrected His friend Lazarus from the dead. Tension between Jesus, the politics of Herod and Rome, and the Pharisees trying to maintain balance is at an all-time high against the backdrop of the Son of God, setting records straight at the start of what will be His last five days before His crucifixion.

Long time friend of Jesus, Lazarus, is dead. Mary, Martha, and others mourn while Jesus shows up four days late with a promise that Lazarus will live again because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. What follows next sets Jesus into the final climactic week of Jesus' earthly ministry. Stay tuned.

John 11:17-56

Zaccheus was hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He came through Jericho one final time. As Zaccheus, overcome with conviction in the presence of Jesus, vowed to restore those from whom he had stolen, Jesus stated that Zaccheus would also be restored. Restored with what? Salvation. As in Psalms 51, Zaccheus had the joy of salvation restored to him as he restored what others had lost - all because the Son of man came to seek and to save those who are lost.

Jesus usually taught, and then performed a miracle or miracles. After teaching that the Word of God must be received in good ground, He and the disciples set sail into a storm that threatened to sink the boat. Learn how the parable of the sower in Mark 4 is related to the lesson Jesus was teaching the disciples when the waves calmed down and the wind stopped whistling. Let the seed of God's Word fall on good ground and may we all learn to hear His voice over the windy storms of life.

Mark 4:35-41

Have you ever said "I dont know how to pray." Get nervous about being able to pray in front of people? In this episode, we learn what prayer is and also what it is not. Jesus taught that motives means a lot more than the words we speak. We do it humbly, not for show. He gave us a model, a manner, and example of prayer that is pleasing to God. It is also a two way conversation, and if we take the time to speak, we should also make time to listen as well.

Matthew 6:5-13