22010.241 Withered and Choked

“Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it.” —Luke 8:6–7 What makes an oak tree able to survive a serious drought? Roots that reach down deep to the moisture! Such is …

22010.240 The Sower and the Seed

“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it.’”—Luke 8:4–5 Unwilling, unrepentant, unchanged—words …

22140.038 Watch and Pray

“Then he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Mark 14:37-38 This particular event takes place in Gethsemane the night before Jesus …

22140.037 Love God, Love Your Neighbor

“Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all …

22140.036 God’s Will for Us

“In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown …

22140.035 He’s Calling You!

“They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many scolded him to get …

22140.033 Who Is the Greatest?

Then they came to Capernaum. After Jesus was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants …