Book: Mark

What might you sacrifice for? A new car? A vacation? Your child’s college education? Would you sacrifice for another person–someone you love very much? What about someone you do not know? These are hypothetical questions but if we think for awhile, we might easily come up with answers. Or, we might at least come up with what we would not think worthy of sacrifice.

VALUES. What do you hold dear? What would you not want to live without? What do you hope to live by in the future?

Each year it is important that the church gather to assess itself and whether it is accomplishing its mission and goals, and also to discuss its vision moving forward into the next year.

When you think of who Jesus is, when you have a problem and you need help, do you think first about Jesus’ power?

Characters in the Old Testament often longed to see God but when they found themselves confronted with the presence of God (like Isaiah); or being confronted with winds, storms, and the like (Elijah); or being hidden in the cleft of a rock (Moses), they were often overwhelmed. It was a known fact that to see the face of God meant certain death to humans.

Have you ever been asked “Who is Jesus?” What did you say? If you are a Christian, how do you relate to Jesus? Do you simply follow what he says and try to emulate him? Perhaps you add prayer to the mix, in order to gain his help with your circumstances. Or is there more?

We all at times want God to prove himself, or show us markers or signs. But which comes first? Faith first? Or proof first? That is our question for Sunday.

How do we manage to love God wholeheartedly? It all begins with a command:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”

Sunday is the first week of Lent, six weeks devoted to seeking Jesus and learning read more…