Why Four Different Gospels?

Be Opened: A Word for Weary Women

Mark 7 'Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. They *brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they *implored Him to lay His hand on him. Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;  and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He *said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. '   Mark 7:31-35 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MRK.7.31-35.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MRK.7.31-35.NASB1995] 'The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side. And they had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”  They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?  Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember,  when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?” And they *came to Bethsaida. And they *brought a blind man to Jesus and *implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”  And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. '   Mark 8:11-25 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MRK.8.11-25.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MRK.8.11-25.NASB1995] Check out what we learn in Ezekiel 12 'Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. Therefore, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand though they are a rebellious house. '   Ezekiel 12:1-3 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.1-3.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.1-3.NASB1995]   'Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.” '   Ezekiel 12:6 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.6.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.6.NASB1995] 'Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so it will be done to them; they will go into exile, into captivity.’ '   Ezekiel 12:11 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.11.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/EZK.12.11.NASB1995] Chiasmus arranges materials in a symmetrical sandwich pattern where inner and outer elements correspond to each other—for example, A-B-C-B´-A, with the central unit highlighted. The bigger chiastic structure in these chapters is found from Mark 6-Mark 8   The central point is or the climax is Peter’s confession in 8:27-29 Have you had a hard time "perceiving “ what God is doing?  Don’t let your lack of understanding lead to a hard heart, rather let it lead you to worship and declaration that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do Savor Moment Kale Salad [https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chopped-kale-salad-prosciutto-and-figs?print=]  Open your bible and as you read a section of Scripture, check out the cross-references and see what you discover

Discover the Excitement of the Bible

In this episode, Staci and Elizabeth discuss the Gospel of John and a new discovery. Listen as Staci describes how much more was happening at the feeding of the five thousand.     'After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).  A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.  Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.  Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. ' John 6:1-4 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/JHN.6.1-4.NASB1995   Why would the verse be added about the Passover? Don't be afraid to write question marks in your bible.   'Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  ' John 6:35-40 https://www.bible.com/bible/100/JHN.6.35-40.NASB1995 [https://www.bible.com/bible/100/JHN.6.35-40.NASB1995]   Jesus is the bread of Life!   Savor Moment Ask God to give you a new passion for His Word and ask Him to make it come alive for you.

God Doesn't Just Tolerate You; He Delights In You

'The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  ' Zephaniah 3:17 https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ZEP.3.17.NIV Don't believe that God only tolerates you. Remember what His Word declares!  Savor Moment  Look for ways God shows you that He delights in you.   Easy Cinnamon Rolls [https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/easy-cinnamon-rolls-from-scratch/]

Why Four Different Gospels?

Why Four Gospels? Overview of the theme of each Gospel   Matthew: The Promised Messiah (King)  * Theme: Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the legal heir to David’s throne, and the King of the kingdom of heaven. * Supporting Verses: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1), and "For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah..." (Matthew 3:3). Mark: The Suffering Servant * Theme: Jesus is the authoritative Son of God who came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. * Supporting Verses: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45), and "The time has come... The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). Luke: The Savior of All Humanity * Theme: Jesus is the compassionate Savior for all people—regardless of status, gender, or race—offering salvation to the poor, women, Gentiles, and outcasts. * Supporting Verses: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10), and "A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel" (Luke 2:32) John: The Divine Son of God * Theme: Jesus is the eternal, pre-existent Word of God made flesh, providing eternal life to those who believe. * Supporting Verses: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31), and "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Resource Four Portraits: One Jesus [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=four+portraits+one+jesus&adgrpid=185691647665&hvadid=792669506290&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9010521&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1066151889120418444--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1066151889120418444&hvtargid=kwd-303448929518&hydadcr=2934_13892003_2445873&mcid=ab4c348db40a325aad4e82bb47ade39a&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_1107xcbah7_e] Savor Moment: Sweet Pea Risotto [https://www.foodandwine.com/risi-e-bisi-green-pea-risotto-11928428]

Cheap Grace | Don't Settle

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession". The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoffere Apostle Paul: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become [a]united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be [b]in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old [c]self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be [d]done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is [e]freed from sin. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting [g]the members of your body to sin as [h]instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as [i]instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Romans 6:1-15 The age old question a "fire insurance" policy to avoid hell, rather than a life of following Jesus. Also remember what Jesus said in Matthew 9 He did not come for the righteous but for sinners But that is not an excuse to continue to sin Pitfalls of cheap grace 1. It minimizes repentance Cheap grace treats forgiveness as automatic, without a changed heart. Luke 13:3 – “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Biblical issue: Without repentance, grace is misunderstood as permission rather than rescue. 2. It separates faith from obedience It claims belief in Christ without following Him. James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Biblical issue: True faith produces action; cheap grace produces complacency. 3. It ignores the cost of discipleship Jesus consistently taught that following Him requires surrender. Luke 9:23 – “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” Biblical issue: Cheap grace avoids sacrifice, while biblical grace calls for daily surrender. 4. It abuses God’s grace as a license to sin It assumes grace covers ongoing, willful sin without conviction. Romans 6:1-2 – “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Biblical issue: Grace is meant to free us from sin, not excuse it. 5. It resists transformation Cheap grace keeps people spiritually stagnant. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Biblical issue: Genuine grace changes identity and direction. 6. It neglects holiness Scripture calls believers to a distinct, set-apart life. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “Be holy in all you do.” Biblical issue: Cheap grace tolerates what God calls us to leave behind. 7. It risks self-deception It creates a false sense of security without true relationship with Christ. Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom.” Biblical issue: Verbal belief without obedience can lead to spiritual deception. 8. It diminishes the cross Cheap grace forgets the cost of salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:20 – “You were bought at a price.” Biblical issue: Grace is free to us, but never cheap—Christ paid fully. In short: Cheap grace distorts the gospel by offering comfort without transformation, forgiveness without repentance, and belief without discipleship. Biblically, grace is not just pardon—it is power that leads to a changed life. Savor Moment Allow God’s mercy soak into every aspect of your life so that you will be tender to the conviction of the Spirit Don’t settle for cheap grace or dry meatballs Soaking breadcrumbs in milk (creating a "panade") creates tender, moist meatballs by preventing the proteins from over-tightening. Combine equal parts breadcrumbs and milk (e.g., 1/2 cup each), let it sit for 5–15 minutes until a thick paste forms, and then gently mix this paste into the meat mixture. This method works with both fresh or dry breadcrumbs and, traditionally, stale bread. Great Meatballs [https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-meatballs-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-108048]