MVCC New Testament Challenge

And the dispute continues about who this man Jesus is. They had witnessed Jesus speaking with unexplainable wisdom and performing miraculous healings. Yet some still thought he was demon-possessed, a blasphemer, or a suicidal nutcase. Verse 5 of chapter 7 tells us that even his own brothers didn’t believe in him. We shouldn’t be surprised then that it may be even harder for people today to believe that Jesus is God’s Son.    If you have settled the question of who Jesus is, and have accepted him as your Lord and Savior, it’s more important now than ever that you walk the walk, not just talk the Christian talk.  It’s true that you “may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” Let’s be the salt and light that our evil society needs. ~Elsie Shepherd

One of the amazing things about growing up as a missionary’s kid in Bolivia was seeing God’s amazing creation. I remember driving through the rugged Andes mountains and then seeing what looked like a green carpet of jungle trees at the bottom. I remember looking out the window of a small Cessna plane to see snowcapped mountains peeking through the clouds. I remember canoeing down the jungle rivers, staring at depth of the jungle watching the river twist and turn.  My grandparents were missionaries to a tribe in the Andes Mountains. It took about four hours by car to get to where they lived. The drive was spectacular. It was breath-taking however, as a kid, I didn’t always take time to notice. It wasn’t until I left Bolivia and then went back that I truly appreciated the bigger picture.  One memory that I have is driving through the mountains with my grandparents who lived in the USA. They had come down to Bolivia to visit and we were on some type of trip. I can’t re...

Have you ever thought about the world as a whole? The large amount of people, the different ways people speak, eat, dress, express gratitude and so much more. The world is so diverse, so different, yet all of humanity has something in common. We are all made in the likeness of God. With all our differences, preferences, our goals and passions, there is one thing above all else that we share in common, being made in the likeness of God. Yet, as we looked at this week in church, we live a Genesis 3 world. We sin, and were born sinners. But, we serve a God of second chances. A God who even though we make mistakes again and again, sent His Son to save the World.  John 3:16-17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Without...

John1:1-3 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.   John certainly grabs his audience’s attention in the beginning of his Gospel.  From…well forever, Jesus was. Few texts claim the preexistence and deity of Christ more clearly than the opening verses of John. Further in the chapter, John continues: John1:14 - “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse is the cornerstone on which we rest our faith. The very God who created the world and everything in it, entered into the world that He made. Jesus Christ, the   Son of God, became fully human and yet, at the same time, remained fully God. Not only did Christ come as a man, but he came as a man full of grace an...

Recently while driving down the road, an interesting conversation was taking place in the back of our car. The discussion covered many topics but I especially tuned in when I heard the kids talking about heaven. Our son Walker stated that there are bad guys whose sins are too bad for them to be in heaven. Before I could jump into the conversation, his older sister Josie informed him that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins and said, "Walker, even if you STOLE... from a MUSEUM... Jesus could forgive you, he died for that." While reading the scriture for today, one particular verse stood out to me. Mark 16:7 "But go, tell his disciples and Peter , 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" ...and Peter... The Peter who followed Jesus for three years. The same Peter who witnessed Jesus feed thousands and thousands, drive out demons and heal the sick. The same Peter who witnessed all of this but...

In Mark 13 & 14 are good news and bad news.  Actually there is a lot of bad news.  Jesus predicted the temple would be destroyed.  One of the disciples had been admiring the sensational structure.  Questions were asked and answered.  Here’s how one commentator describes the temple: “At the time of Jesus’ ministry, the temple was one of the most impressive structures in the world, made of massive blocks of stone bedecked with gold ornamentation.  Some of the stones in the temple complex measured 40x12x12 feet and were expertly quarried to fit perfectly against one another.  The temple buildings were made of gleaming white marble, and the whole eastern wall of the large main structure was covered with gold plates that reflected the morning sun, making a spectacle that was visible for miles.  The whole temple complex was magnificent by any standard.”  But that beautiful temple that meant so much to the Jews was doomed. Jesus prediction ...

Today I have the privilege of writing a reflection on one of my all-time favorite psalms. It is short, sweet, and to the point! Psalm 100 is one of the shortest of all the Psalms, yet it conveys so much in these five verses: Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth!      Serve the Lord with gladness!      Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord , he is God!      It is he who made us, and we are his;      we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving,      and his courts with praise!      Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good;      his steadfast love endures forever,      and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100, ESV) V1 & V2 – Reading the first two verses, I have to ask myself if I am serving Him joyf...