Bible Summary:
Next, some people bring Jesus a man who cannot talk. Jesus drives out the demon and the man talks to everyone’s amazement. The Pharisees say the chief of demons gives him that power.
My Thoughts:
Jealousy: The Pharisees were jealous of Jesus’ ability to mesmerize the people of Israel so they try to discredit him. Everything Jesus ever did was to help others – people the Pharisees would not even associate with.
I just added this as my cover picture to the new Facebook layout. Let him be a rock for you too.
Bible Summary:
Two blind men show up, follow Jesus and ask him for mercy. He asks them if they believe he can heal them. They say yes. Jesus touches their eyes saying, “Let it happen as you believe!” and they can now see. He tells them not to tell anyone, but they spread the news.
My Thoughts:
Belief: Everything you want in life requires belief and action. These two things can give you everything you have ever dreamed. Believe and act today.
Celebrity: Like all celebrities, Jesus would like just a little break from the onslaught so he asks the blind men not to say anything and of course human nature takes over and they tell everyone.
When most of us think about ex-cons, we think of a story we read of how hard it is for them to find a job and that many return to criminal activity to survive. What we rarely think or hear about is their families or their kids. Over 7 million children in the U.S. have a parent in the criminal justice system – many hoping their parent will be home soon. The Center for Employment Opportunities in New York City helps ex-prisoners reenter life and support their families. Jesus said to forgive seven times seventy times, so give an ex-con a chance in your business today. You could be helping a whole family heal. Learn more in the Making A Difference In 7 Million Children’s Lives story at the Huffington Post.
Flatter me, and I may not believe you.
Criticize me, and I may not like you.
Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.
– William Arthur Ward
Tim Tebow was traded to the New York Jets after Peyton Manning replaced him as quarterback at the Denver Broncos. It adds a Wildcat option to the Jets but everyone is wondering if Mark Sanchez, the current Jets quarterback can share the limelight with “Tebowmania”. Read the full Analysis: Trade for Tebow shakes up Jets’ QB lineup story at Reuters.
Bible Summary:
A Jewish official kneels before Jesus and pleads for him to place his hands on his daughter who just died. Jesus and his disciples follow the official. Along the way, a woman who suffered from bleeding for 12 years touches Jesus’ cloak. Jesus tells her to have courage and her faith makes her immediately well. At the official’s house, he tells the funeral group to leave since the little girl is not dead but only sleeping. They make fun of him as they leave. Jesus goes to the girl, holds her hand, and then she gets up. The news of this spreads everywhere.
My Thoughts:
Faith: Jesus rewards people who have the faith that they can be healed. Faith is believing in something when there is no proof it can happen. It can carry you through taunts of others who do not understand. Faith is believing so much that you push a bit harder and with a little help from above everything comes to be.
Bible Summary:
God tells Moses and the Israelites to rest the land of Canaan every seventh year instead of cultivating it. They can eat all the land produces, which will be enough since God will bless the land with a double harvest in the 6th year to last until the 8th year.
On the Day of Atonement each 49 years, Israelites proclaim the 50th year as the Year of Restoration, giving freedom to all people. All property previously sold is restored to the original owner or his descendants, and anyone sold as slave returned to his family. Land and slaves are sold fairly based on the number of years remaining to the next Restoration.
Exceptions:
Other Considerations:
My Thoughts:
Restoration: Moses created the Year of Restoration so the Israelites would never be permanent slaves again like they were in Egypt.
Care for the poor: Moses puts into law how people are to treat the poor. God gives them dignity by having you give them a job instead of a handout.
Bible Summary:
Followers of John the Baptist ask Jesus why they and the Pharisees fast often but the disciples do not. Jesus tells them wedding guests need to be happy until the bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast. He also says no one patches an old coat with new cloth since it would shrink and make a bigger hole, nor pours new wine in old wineskins that would burst. New wine in new wineskins keeps both in good condition.
My Thoughts:
Celebrate: Jesus says the disciples should celebrate while he is with them.
New Message: Jesus’ new message was not taken well by the establishment, so he focused on telling his new message (i.e. new wine) to new people (i.e. new wineskins), including Gentiles.
The Denver Broncos signed Peyton Manning to a five-year $96 million contract, leaving Tim Tebow in temporary limbo. John Elway, Denver’s head of football operations, said Tebow was disappointed but would not break from his positive attitude. Just goes to show you there is no loyalty in business, it is all about making the best return and Denver believes they can do it with Manning even though Tebow turned them around to a division title and even beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs last year. The talk is that Tebow may end up back in Florida, where he won two BCS national championships and a Heisman Trophy, playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Learn more in the Broncos noncommittal on Tebow in wake of Manning deal story at Reuters.