Unlimited: They Did Not Know What To Say | Good News Unlimited
Jesus had to pray “the same thing” more than once.
Jesus had to pray “the same thing” more than once.
During the next several weeks, let’s see how much we can grow while meditating on Romans 6, a tremendous chapter that calls us to purity and holiness. And let’s invite someone (or someones) to go on the journey with us.
Jesus prayed for a long time, and although they slept through most of it, at least one of the three disciples nearest to him heard parts of his prayer. Jesus addresses his father with the name, “Abba.” This is an Aramaic word which is best translated as “Daddy.” It indicates a relationship of deep and intimate trust. Then Jesus acknowledges his Father’s sovereign power: “everything is possible for you.” Then Jesus makes his request: “Take this cup from me.” Finally, Jesus recognises the deficiencies of his own will, and submits himself entirely to God: “not what I will, but what you will.” – Eliezer Gonzalez Eli’s Reflection: Compare that pattern with how you usually pray.
Unlimited: Affirmations of Loyalty Jul 21, 2024 1372 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same (Mark 14:29–31, NIV).When Jesus told his disciples that they will all fall away, his disciples can’t understand what he is talking about, and they are thrown into sadness and confusion. Jesus told Peter the details of his imminent betrayal, so that as Peter reflected on it in the days to come, he would realise two important things. – Eliezer Gonzalez Eli’s Reflection: Surely, you too, like Peter, have had to hear the rooster crow twice at least once in your life?
Christ’s resurrection changes everything!
Unlimited: The Sheep Will Be Scattered Jul 19, 2024 1447 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’ (Mark 14:27, NIV). It was because Jesus is a realistic optimist, and he knows that he had to get the disciples safely through the other side of the terrible events that are about to occur. – Eliezer Gonzalez Eli’s Reflection: Take some time to think carefully about those times in your life when your faith in God has been stronger, and those times when it has been weaker.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding (Proverbs 12:11). Life is hard work, and God said it would be so. When Adam and E…
Editor’s note: This is the third post in the series “Keeper” by Heather Cofer. Miss a post? Read them here and here. The sound of my kids’ happy play floated in through the window as I prepared dinner. Glancing at my phone to check the recipe again, I saw a...
Your life matters to eternity.
Unlimited: One of You Will Betray Me Jul 13, 2024 1587 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me” (Mark 14:17–19, NIV)? Jesus soon announced himself as the promised Messiah-King, defeated his enemies, and then, when Jesus finally sat on the throne of David, they would all have their reward. The disciples were all sure that they were strong and that they would never betray Jesus, but he knew that they were about to get the shock of their lives.
Unlimited: Wherever the Gospel is Preached Jul 10, 2024 2303 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her (Mark 14:9, NIV).” Jesus defended the woman who has poured perfume over the head, from those who criticised and condemned her action. It’s amazing to think that as you read these words, what Jesus said is being fulfilled right now for you. – Eliezer Gonzalez Eli’s Reflection: Find a time to walk in nature today, and go through the story of this woman in your mind.
The theme of my new book is How to make inquiries of the Lord. An insightful book that shows you practical ways you can seek God to find answers or solution to your problems. Gain quick access today at the Nownowbooks store How to make inquiries of the Lord: Read first chapter I will […]
Jesus spoke about the end of the world and his return in glory. He gave his disciples a very important warning. This doesn’t mean that Jesus doesn’t know the time of his second coming at present. What he meant was that in his incarnational humanity, the Father had not revealed it to him at the time when he spoke these words. Today, the Son who sits at the right hand of the Father on the throne of heaven certainly knows when he will return. When Jesus says that his going away will be like a man who leaves his house and assigns a servant at the door to keep watch, the purpose of the man at the door wasn’t to keep watching to see when the master would return. His task was to stand at the door to watch in order to protect the house and its contents from thieves and from damage. Jesus is telling us that the most important task that we have until he returns is to look after his house.
It won’t happen overnight, but you can delight in God’s Word again.
At the end of Jesus’ sermon about the end of the world, in fact his longest sermon in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus said something that has puzzled people ever since. Let’s see if we can “unpuzzle” it. The reason why this statement by Jesus has puzzled so many people is because this is the only time in his entire prophetic discourse in which Jesus mentions a specific time period. The disciples asked about when the temple would be destroyed, and Christians since then have been wondering when Jesus will return.
Do you remember the fig tree that Jesus cursed: the one that withered and died? It wasn’t just something pointless that he did out of annoyance. Not at all. He had in mind to use it for an important lesson, in fact for all time. The lesson is not merely that when you see the signs that Jesus has mentioned, you will know that the end is near. It’s not just that. You have to remember what happened to the fig tree, because that’s what Jesus really wants to bring to mind. The fig tree had put out leaves, indicating that summer was near. And so, Jesus came looking for fruit, but it had none. It was all “show” but no fruit.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, also called The Parable of the Weeds Among Wheat, is found in Matthew 13. This is one of Jesus’s parables of the kingdom of heaven, and this comes after the …
By Elizabeth Prata I was finishing my book by Scottish Puritan, The Scandal of False Teaching. I love the minds of the Puritans, deep thinkers, and as a result, it was an excellent book. Anyway, in…
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay It’s challenging to do the things you don’t want to do. It’s even harder to do the things God asks you to do, but you really, really don’t want to.I can not imagi…