In my book, “Praying Our Way Through Stress” in writing about The Lord’s Prayer and the phrase; Save us from the time of trial I quote Luke 22:31, which reads:
“Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
I go on to write:
Perhaps this relates to Peter (aka Simon) having his faith shaken by the arrest,…..
Have you ever spoken to someone and it seemed they didn’t even hear you? Or have you ever listened to someone speak and not heard them? I’m guessing your answer is yes to both questions, I know mine would be. What causes people to hear us, to pay attention to what we are saying? What helps us to pay attention to other people so that we…..
How often does the word ‘Ministry‘ come up in your conversations about life and work and church? I don’t seem to hear it as often as I used to.
I used to use the word ‘ministry’ when I did one-on-one training my recruits in direct sales. I also used the word when I trained co-workers at my other jobs. Sometimes they would ask…..
Two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, those in authority were looking for a way to arrest Jesus and kill him. Jesus was in Bethany and other people were present when a woman brought a jar of perfume made with pure nard. This was the best and most expensive perfumed oil that money could buy. People began complaining that she anointed Jesus…..
This teaching is recorded in Mark 13:1-37. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives with his disciples, looking at the temple. One of the disciples had commented on how magnificent the buildings looked. Jesus told them the buildings weren’t going to last, that every stone would be thrown down eventually.
Peter, James, John and Andrew wanted to know when and what…..
Jesus is still teaching in the temple area, as he spoke with the leaders of the temple and with those whom the leaders sent to him, other people came to listen as well. After teaching about the greatest commandments Jesus asked them all a question. “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?” (Mark 12:35) He continues to speak…..
In the temple area, after Jesus told those in authority the Parable of the Tenants they tried to find a way to arrest him, but fearing the people who were in favor of Jesus they left. Then they sent some other people to try to trap Jesus by his own words. This story is found in Mark 12:13-17.
The Pharisees were leaders especially concerned about…..
Jesus’ teaching continued on in Jerusalem – so far first they walked past the fig tree, then Jesus stayed with friends in Bethany, then Jesus cleared the temple and then they left the temple and the city (probably stayed with friends again) and went past that fig tree again. “Read my post The Next Thing Jesus Did” to read about the fig tree and…..
After Jesus said “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ He and those with him entered the temple area in Jerusalem. I told you we had discussed the fig tree lesson at a quiet day several years ago. I remember having asked if Jesus and his disciples were still hungry when they entered the temple area. Did he drive out the people who were buying and selling…..
Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem and everyone who heard about his coming laid palm branches down and shouted ‘Hosanna in the highest!”
What did they mean when they were shouting those words? When I was growing up I thought Hosanna was a praise word – I understood they were praising Jesus. When I became a student of the Word as an adult I…..