Saturday, October 4, 2025

Mark 9:42-43, 45, 47-48 Part 1 of 2

    "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. -- And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. -- And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, -- where
    'the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.' (Isaiah 66:24)"
 
"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."
Matthew 18:6
    "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."  (see Matthew 18:1-7)
Luke 17:1-2  
    Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble."  (see Luke 17:1-10)
Hosea 14:9  
Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the LORD are right;
    the righteous walk in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.  (see all Hosea 14)
Malachi 2:7-8  
    "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi," says the LORD Almighty.  (Malachi 2:1-9)
James 3:2  
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.  (see all James 3)
1 Peter 2:8  
... and,
    "A stone that causes people to stumble
        and a rock that makes them fall."  (Isaiah 8:14)
They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.  (see all 1 Peter 2)
 
"If your hand causes you to stumble, ... It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ..."  
Matthew 23:13  
    "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to." 
Matthew 23:15  
    "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."
Matthew 23:27  
    "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
(see all Matthew 23) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Friday, October 3, 2025

Mark 9:38-41 Part 2 of 2

    "Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
    "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." 
 
"Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward."
Matthew 10:42
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."  (see all Matthew 10)
Matthew 25:40  
    "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' "  (see Matthew 25:31-46)
Proverbs 14:31  
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 19:17  
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
    and he will reward them for what they have done.
Acts 10:1-4  
    At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; they gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
    Cornelius stared at him in fear, "What is it, Lord?" he asked.
    The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."  
(see all Acts 10)
Hebrews 6:10-12  
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.  (see all Hebrews 6) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Mark 9:38-41 Part 1 of 2

    "Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
    "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." 
 
"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
Numbers 11:26-29
    However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."
    Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!"
    But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"  (see all Numbers 11)
Luke 10:16  
    "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me."  (see Luke 10:1-17)
John 13:20  
"Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."  (see John 13:12-20)
 
"Do not stop him, Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us."  
1 Corinthians 12:3  
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.  
(see all 1 Corinthians 12)
Matthew 12:30  
    "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  (see Matthew 12:22-37)
Luke 11:23  
    "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  (see Luke 11:14-28) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Mark 9:33-37 Part 3 of 3

    They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
    Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."
    He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." 
 
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
Matthew 18:2-4
    He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  
(see Matthew 18:1-14)
Luke 9:47-48  
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." 
Mark 10:13-16  
    People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Mark 9:33-37 Part 2 of 3

    They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
    Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."
    He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." 
 
When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were  you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Luke 9:46  
    An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 
Luke 22:24  
    A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest.
 
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."  
Matthew 20:25-28  
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:43-44  
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." 
Luke 22:26  
Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves."  
(see Luke 22:25-30)  
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Monday, September 29, 2025

A B C's of Salvation

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Ever since the creation of the world and God formed the first man and breathed into him the breath of life, He has desired a close personal relationship with people and was grieved that some of them did not want a relationship with Him. Throughout the Bible the story of that relationship has gone through many ups (blessings) and downs (judgments). But God had a plan and sent His one and only Son to earth to draw all men to Him, by offering eternal life to those who would believe in Him. That is the beginning of the good news, the Gospel.

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Today is the day of Salvation:  Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives concerning eternal life?     If you die today are you going to heaven?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - The apostle Paul tells us what the gospel is: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

Gospel means "good news."   Your debt has been paid, the death penalty has been paid, you are free.

Here's the Gospel of Jesus Christ: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.   

Jesus brought in a little child as a living object lesson to show who enters the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said: "Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."  This is how to be saved, it is simply child like, as simple as ABC:

A                  - Admit that you are a sinner.  This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out.

Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one."

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven).

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news.  But here's the good news:  The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.                 

 

B                  - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead.  This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was.

Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

C                  - Call upon the name of the Lord.  Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

Romans 14:11 -  For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."                                                

Don't wait until later — do this now.

Romans 10:13 -  For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"O God, I am a sinner.  I'm sorry for my sin.  I want to turn from my sin.  I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

 

Begin your new life by reading the Bible to learn more about who God is.

Ask Him to show you a friend who is a believer, someone you can talk to about your new faith.

Ask Him to guide you to a Bible-believing church where you can meet other believers and fellowship with them as you learn more about your faith. 

 

Some suggestions about where to begin in the Bible are: 

To know Jesus read the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

To know more about God read Genesis, Job, Psalms for a start, the whole Old Testament is the story of God’s love for Israel and His desire for all men and women to know Him.

To know what is coming in the future, and from what we see in the world today, it seems like it is coming soon, read Daniel and Revelation. There are many other prophecies in the Old Testament that have yet to be fulfilled regarding the end times.

To learn how to live your new life in Jesus Christ, read the rest the New Testament, letters to the churches from the apostles that explain the Christian life.

 

May God bless you as you learn to trust Him and live for Him.

Monday, October 8, 2018

Three Steps to Salvation and Eternal Life


                 A B C’s of Salvation
A – Acknowledge, admit that you are a sinner

Romans 3:23  … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, …
Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

B – Believe that Jesus is Lord

John 3:16-18  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

C – Call upon the name of the Lord 

Romans 10:9-10  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:13  … “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 
Limited to 15 verses per post.

Mark 9:33-37 Part 1 of 3

    They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
    Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."
    He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." 
 
They came to Capernaum.
Matthew 4:13-16
Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
    "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
        the way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
        Galilee of the Gentiles--
    the people living in darkness
        have seen a great light;
    on those living in the land of the shadow of death
        a light has dawned."  (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Mark 1:21-22  
    They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to preach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 
Luke 4:31-32  
    Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Mark 9:30-32

    They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask about it. 
 
Matthew 16:21
    From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Mark 8:31  
    He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Luke 9:22  
And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
Luke 9:43b-45  
    While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Luke 18:31-34  
    Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."
    The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
John 12:16  
    At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
John 14:29  
"I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe."  (see all John 14) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Mark 9:25-29

    When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
    The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
    After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
    He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." 
 
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." ... But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
Matthew 17:18
    Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Luke 9:42b-43  
But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
 
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." 
Matthew 17:19-20  
    Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
    He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 21:21-22  
    Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but you can say to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  (see Matthew 21:18-22)
Luke 17:6  
    He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."  (see Luke 17:1-10) 
1 Corinthians 13:2  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  (see all 1 Corinthians 13) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Friday, September 26, 2025

Mark 9:19-24

    "You unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
    So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
    Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
    "From childhood," He answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."
    Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 
 
"You unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
Matthew 17:17
    "You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."
Luke 9:41  
    "You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."
 
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 
Luke 9:42a  
    Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion.
 
... "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 
Romans 11:19-20  
You will say then, "Branches were broken off so I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 
Romans 11:23  
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.  
(see Romans 11:11-24)
1 Timothy 1:13  
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  (see 1 Timothy 1:12-17)
Hebrews 3:18-19  
And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
(see Hebrews 3:7-19) 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Limited to 15 verses per post.
 

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Mark 9:14-18

    When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to meet him.
    "What are you arguing with them about," he asked.
    A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." 
 
Matthew 17:14-16
    When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
 
Luke 9:37-40  
    The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not." 
 
(parentheses are mine)
 
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