"Follow Me" Jesus' Call to Us All

 "At once they left their nets and followed him" Mark: 1:18

After Jesus' return form the Wilderness of Judea, where he demonstrated that he, and he alone, is the Messiah, Jesus now came to Galilee, and there, upon the shores of the sea Jesus calls his first Disciples.

At Jesus' call, we are told in the Gospel of St. Mark, that they "At once" followed him. Many marvel at what might have spurred these men to "at once" leave behind their occupations and families. They left all that has been a part of their lives for so long, to become followers of Jesus.

Some wonder was it a "power” which took them and that they would have no power to resist it or was it that Jesus' personality was such they could not say no?  Understanding the answer, answers many questions about this moment and, the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and the response of his Disciples to his call and invitation to follow him.

A Rabbinical Call

To understand this moment of the calling of the disciples, it is important that we know just a little about the culture and spiritual climate of the day. In that day, among the Jewish people, only a man who had been through the fourteen-year rabbinical school and was an "ordained” “licensed" Rabbi was permitted to issue and the invitation of “come follow me” for a man to become a Disciple, that is, to be a special student.

This was no small honor in those days among the people of Israel to receive this invitation from a Rabbi.  It was a symbol of social status and prestige for a man and his family honor and not to be passed up. This explains why the disciples, would "at once" climb out of their boats and follow Jesus, and they do so with apparently no objections from their father Zebedee, for he too, recognized that this was a great opportunity and honor for his sons and his family to receive the invitation to “follow me” issued by the Rabbi Jesus.

Rabbi Jesus

It is important to note that Jesus was addressed and recognized as "Rabbi”, even from the time of  John the Baptist’s public endorsement of Jesus as the "lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" John:1:29

We are told,  that some of John's disciples  became interested in Jesus after Jesus' baptism by John,  and decided to have a conversation with Jesus to see what he had to say.

"Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" and He said come and see" John:1:38

At Jesus' meeting with Nathaniel, Nathaniel acknowledges Jesus and called Him Rabbi "Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." John: 1:49

Even Nicodemus a Pharisee and a respected member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of the Jews, grants Jesus this recognition and status of calling him Rabbi.

 "He, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." John: 3:2

This title of Rabbi was acknowledged only to those to whom it belonged. It was not given to just anyone just because they claimed it, it had to be conferred upon them by the authorized teachers of the Word of God. 

If Jesus truly were not a Rabbi the religious leaders of the day would not have acknowledge Jesus as such, however, in an act of contempt brought on by jealousy and posturing the religious leaders attempt to dismiss Jesus as being "unlearned” at one point.

The Not so Silent Years

Understanding that Jesus was an ordained Rabbi answers many questions, some in regards as to what Jesus was doing in the silent years between his conversation with the teachers of the Law at the Temple at twelve years of age which we find in the Gospel of St. Luke and his public reemergence on the banks of that Jordan at age thirty to be baptized and to receive the John Baptist's public endorsement.  

It was customary in those days, that when a boy was accepted to, and entered Rabbinical school, that they did so at about age twelve, and completed the schooling at about age thirty. This accounts for the “silent years” of the Gospels, but we see with a little understanding of the times in which the Holy Scripture were written that they are not as silent as we may first believe.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them" Luke: 2:41-48

It is possible for us to view Jesus' conversation with Temple teachers as being Jesus' entrance interview for Rabbinical training which would have positioned Jesus later in life to circulate among the spiritual leadership of Israel and to open doors to synagogue pulpits around the nation giving Jesus a platform of legitimacy which his opponents could not legally reproach him for. Jesus was a legally ordained Rabbi and there was nothing they could do about it.

Making the Tour 

In Israel two thousand years ago, after rabbinical students graduated ,and were ordained,  they generally received invitations  to make a tour of synagogues preaching and teaching giving the  Jewish people an opportunity to hear  the new teachers and see what each had to say.

We see that Jesus follows this very patterned after the of calling his first Disciples. Here , at the Capernaum Synagogue Jesus provided the congregation with not just his grasp of the word of God teaching with power,  but also demonstrates his power and authority over even the demonic,  bringing forgiveness,  healing and life.

"They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee." Mark: 1:21-28

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him." Matthew: 4:23-25

Follow Me

The Disciples of Jesus recognized the great opportunity that our Lord offered them. It was a true honor, they saw in his invitation to "follow me” what they sought in life, they knew Jesus' call had a value to it so great that they left everything and went with Jesus. What about us, especially we Christians, do we understand our Lords' invitation to be the great honor that it truly is? Are we each willing to be like the disciples who

 "At once they left their nets and followed him." Mark: 1:18 

Will we leave the boats of our lives behind and follow Jesus, to join him in his work?

Consider, if we each and all accepted and understood Jesus' invitation for the great honor it is, if we did, there would not be an empty seat in the pews each church would be filled to capacity. An empty seat would be the exception not the norm. Our churches the world over would be filled with persons who were involved with the ministry of Jesus, we would share His invitation to any and to all as we had opportunity to do so.

Jesus has bestowed upon all Christians the highest honor that we can receive in this life, Jesus has given us the invitation to "follow me”. Will be like his disciples who "at once left their nets and followed Him” or do we stay in the boat of our lives pursuing our own business?

Where ever you are today hear the invitation of Jesus to "come and follow Me"   it is a great honor which our Lord Jesus given to each and all us.

Benediction: May we each and all, understand and respond to the invitation and calling of our Lord Jesus, to know the great honor that Jesus has extended to us to come and follow him, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

Rev.Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma 

River of Grace

                    “Come to me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest” Matt: 11:28

St. Matthew record the words of our Lord Jesus as he stood among the down trodden people and proclaimed a powerful invitation to any and all who will but freely receive it.

“Come to me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest” Matt: 11:28

This invitation is not just when we first come to believe, but it is for all our Christian life. There are times when the burdens which we carry become exceedingly great, and even we Christians can find ourselves struggling to carry our burdens in life.

St. Peter wrote to believers throughout the ages regarding our burdens, cares and concerns and how we should bring them all to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“cast all your cares upon him” 1Pet: 5:7

St. Peter is telling us that each and all that our cares should be given over in complete trust in our Lord's divine ability to deal with whatever we are or will face. Giving these cares to Jesus should be our first response when care arise in our lives.

The Waters of Grace

Our Lord Jesus is inviting each and all of us to give up our cares and concerns in this life and relinquish the burden to him and to allow ourselves to be plunged into the gentle currents of the river of his grace which flows forth from the alter of the cross and cascades into and through our lives.

We see this eternal living stream of God’s holy grace typified in a vision shown to the Prophet Ezekiel. The Prophet sees in the Spirit, the water flow which streams forth from the alter of the glorious Temple of God.

“and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the Temple toward the east, for the Temple faced east. The water was coming forth from the south side of the Temple south of the alter. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around outside to the outer gate which faced east, the water was trickling out from the south side.

“As the man went eastward with a measuring rod in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits he then led me through ankle deep water. He then measured off another thousand cubits and led me through waters that were knee deep. He then measured off another thousand cubits and led me to water that was waist deep. He then measured off another thousand cubits, now the water was so deep that I could cross, because it was now deep enough to swim- a river that none could cross”. Ezk: 47:1b-5

This eternal flow of the Holy Spirit, who administers the grace of our God to each and all of us, we are told led the Prophet into this river of grace in a progressive ever deepening way, to the ankles which speaks of the early part of our Christian life, then the Spirit leads us deeper into the river of grace up to our knees, that is; we are led to pray. 

As we mature in the Christian life, we are moved to bring our needs, cares concerns and our praise and worship to God through times of prayer both private and corporate as fellowship. These times of worship immerse us into the river of grace and allows these healing waters to flow over us and refresh us and heal us.

By the Spirit

There are times in our lives when circumstances are such that our words prove to be inadequate or we have no voice to offer our cares before our God. There are times when we simply do not understand the conditions which unfold around us, it is in these moments when God the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

St. Paul writes that the Spirit himself moves on and for each and all of our behaves.

“the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, for the Spirit himself makes intersession for us through groaning which cannot be expressed”Rm: 8:26

This tells us that we can come to our God and even in our silence that the Holy Spirit moves on our behalf and conveys our needs to our Father in Heaven. The Holy Spirit is proactive in this regard, he does not wait for us, he is always speaking our hearts need to the Father for us, even when we are unaware of his ministry in this regard.

Jesus Our High Priest

Our Lord Jesus in his role as the High Priest of God, acts for each and all, even in the dry seasons of life in which we find ourselves focused upon the weightiness of our burdens rather than upon him.

The writer of the Hebrews Epistle tells us regarding Jesus’ ongoing and active ministry on each and all of our behaves especially in times of hardship, despair, need or doubt on our part.

“for he ever lives to make intersession for them” Heb: 7:25b

 This means, that whatever your need, care or concern is this day or any day our Lord Jesus, as your High Priest, has brought your very name before the Throne of our God. Jesus has prayed for you this day and every day. Jesus stands there for us, each and all. Jesus immerses us into the river of Grace which the Holy Spirit conveys to us. 

Our Two Witness

With the unified voice of our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, each as distinct, yet as one, intercedes for us. This should give us great assurances that our need will be addressed by our Holy Father in Heaven in such away which will be for our eternal best good and according to his divine will for each and all. Your prayer will be heard and your need answered for as the Scared word of God tells us.

“in the mouth of two or three witness a thing is established” 2Cor: 13:1

Whatever your need this day or your concern come unto Jesus and be immersed into the river of God’s eternal Grace and find rest in our Lord Jesus.

Benediction: May we each and all be ever immersed in the eternal River of God’s Grace, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma.

Dividing the Flesh and the Spirit,

 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow” Heb:4:12a

We can read in the Holy Bible that Jesus is the Word of God, and that this Word took on our humanity through the incarnation and walked among us as one of us for all of us.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jhn: 1:1

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (14)

Jesus, as we understand, has come forth from the Father. While the Lord Jesus walked among us, he modeled what we could understand to be the perfect life, setting us an example for us to look upon and to emulated in our daily lives and he lived what the ancient Church called “the Vicarious Life” for us. In other words, Jesus did for us what he told us to be. He was perfect, not just to show us what it looks like, but he did it for us.  

“Therefore, you be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect” Matt:5:48

All Have Fallen Short

Yet, each of us knows fully our inability to be perfect, we all stumble and fail, and it does not take us long to know that we all at some point gives in to the pulls of the flesh and we sin.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”; Rm:3:23

Jesus, however has not succumbed to the pulls which so often beset each and all of us.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”  Heb: 4:15

Jesus knows what we face in life , yet never gave into the flesh, this is important to understand that he fulfills this role for us. Jesus, has brought the life of God into our world and lives and has shown us what it looks like.

The written Word of God does for us exactly what the person of the Word does for us. Stands for us as us, the written word is the same.

The Word of God

Now, as we understand we have been provided with a written record of the heavenly life which Jesus has shown us and lives for us. That written record is the Holy Bible.  This written record we know is not the product of human reason and or origins.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2Tim:3:16

St. Paul, is telling us that the Scripture finds itself coming forth from God himself even as Jesus has.

Many Christians embrace the Scripture as a moral guide to life or a life enhancement and the living out the Christian life. Some, approach the Bible as showing us “how to live”; and to be sure it is that and more.

Now, when we approach the Bible as a guide to Holy Living moral code we often fail in some way or another, even when we set our hearts to obtain this high standard. This failing can cause us great frustration attempting to do what none of us can do.

 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Rm: 7:15

When we read these lofty expectations found within the Holy Word of God and we come to realize that we are unable to live up to them we can become frustrated and even discouraged but when we read them as to who we are in Christ and understand that Jesus alone has and is this Holiness and we find that, he shares his very self with us, we then can rest in Him and be at peace.

What the Bible presents to us is “who Jesus is”, having come from the Father which is the primary subject of the Bible and how he has executed the perfect Heavenly life for us all and has accomplished our Salvation on our behalf if we will but freely receive it when we hear the Gospel message.

“Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself”. Lk: 24:26-27

The Word Divides

St. Paul recognized that he, of himself, was helpless against the constant pulls of the flesh and knew that he needed Jesus to stand for him, that is to live for him, not just “when he needed it” but always and forever. The Apostle, also came to realize that his life had two distinct realities, which in his human experience, and all of ours, simultaneously as we pass through life until we enter eternity.

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Gal: 2:20

When we read the Bible, we find us confronted with the same realities that St. Paul did. We fail of our own selves but yet, we see two great contrasts given to us, the first is who we are in this life and the realities of this Earthly life, that is the flesh. We also are presented with the direct opposite, who we are in Christ.

It is as if the Bible cuts through us and severs one part of us from the other as we read in Hebrews: The spirit from the flesh.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow” Heb:4:12a

Many times, we can read these verses as the Word of God convicting us and reveals to us our true natures in such a cutting way that we brought to repentance for whatever comes to our minds; however, I would like to suggest that there may be a little different understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying to us all.

The Word of God may be telling us that the Earthly reality of the flesh, has through the work of Jesus, has been cut asunder, divided from us, so that we might be free from it in the eyes of God and stand before him only as who we are in Jesus.

 “Dividing flesh and spirit, joints and marrow”

This would free us to see ourselves through Who Jesus is, so that, when we read the Bible we read of the Earthly nature of sin in contrast with Heavenly Nature of perfection, so the Bible is, in effect, tell us, this is who you were in Adam, sinful and broken, and this is what life was like in Adam and at times still is. But now, this is who you are in Jesus. Perfect and whole.

When we read the Bible, we should read it for who Jesus is and for who we are in him. This view acknowledges our eternal dependence on and for Jesus, but also allows us to see who God sees each of us to be in his Son. When we fail, we thank God for the Salvation which is ours in Jesus and move forward trusting in Jesus’ vicarious humanity for us.

This is what St. Paul wanted Christians and all people to know and understand when he preached the Gospel. See yourself as God sees you and how he experiences you through Jesus.

“God has divided the flesh from the spirit.”

Jesus’ vicarious life is the vantage point by which God looks upon you. Where we see failure, he sees success, where we see brokenness, he sees wholeness. The Word of God is not there to condemn us but to present to us these realties and who Jesus is for us all.

“There is now no more condemnation to those who are in Christ” Rm: 8:1

When we read the Holy Word of God and we see the presentation of Holy living; this should encourage us to know that this is how we are viewed by our Heavenly Father in and through Jesus Christ.

Benediction: May we each and all give thanks to God for his Holy Word that sets us free from the Earthly Life of the flesh so that we might live the Heavenly Life in Christ, today, Tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma

Trust Also in Me

                 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” Jhn:14:1

Do we trust in our God? Do we trust our Lord when our lives seemed to make no discernible sense, when we have done everything right and the still the wrong results have occurred?

Do we have trust issues with God?

Circumstances

We can be perplexed by the circumstances around us. Often, these circumstances defy any logic what-so-ever. We look out from our vantage point in life and all we see are events, conditions or persons which tempt us to ask “can I trust God?”.

We can find ourselves asking “where is Jesus in all of this?” what does he want from me? “Why dose Jesus allow such things to occur? Why is this happening to me?

Often, we might be tempted to reach out and attempt to seize control of the situation(s) which we face, and or we default to the use of our own abilities in the face of circumstances rather than trusting in our Lord.

We all face circumstance in this life which defy our understanding and test the mettle of our trust in God, and in these moments, we ask “Lord can I trust you?”

When our circumstances become too much for us to bear or all that we hoped for fails us and life takes an unexpected downturn do we still trust of our Lord?

Whatever the circumstance in which we find ourselves, do we still trust God?

Many Christians throughout the ages have faced situations which were difficult and caused them to do ask “can I trust God?”.

Perplexing Trials

St. Paul wrote of perplexing trials which he and others in the Apostolic Church faced.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;”2Cor:4:8

St. Paul tells us that they were "hard pressed on every side", that is, they were dealing with multiple problems all at the same time, yet the Apostle states that even though he was dealing with a host of challenges, which in some cases defied logic, they never fell into despair over them.

The Apostle never lost his trust or faith in God, who he knew had the power to bring redemption into any and all challenges in life, in short St. Paul trusted God.

During one of St. Paul’s Sea voyages the ship on which he was a passenger faced a fierce storm upon the sea which caused even the experienced sailors to fear. St. Paul had heard the word of God telling him that all would be speared even if it meant the loss of the vessel. St. Paul encouraged the passengers and crew not to fear,  but that God would intervene and save them alive even if it meant the loss of the ship.

  “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me”. Acts: 27:25

The ship was lost but their lives were saved just as God had revealed to St. Paul. The Apostle trusted in the word of God because he trusted in God who gave it. He knew that God was true to himself and would not act contrary to his own divine nature and self-revelation.

St. Paul had learned through his experiences with God that God could be trusted, that God always acts for our eternal best good because God is good. St. Paul understood that God’s word reveals who he is, and that in Jesus is where we see God’s self being revealed.

In Jesus we see how God relates to others and his complete trustworthiness, St. Paul knew God in and through Jesus.

“If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”

Trust in the Lord

We can find ourselves leaning to our own understanding defaulting to our Earth bound perceptive, this occurs when we lose trust in our God. This happens when we become distracted and lose sight of who our God is.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Prov: 3:5

The Proverb admonishes us all to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart”. When we trust with all of our heart, we are trusting God with all of our lives, that is every part of our  lives is given over in trusting God with all of our lives. We understand that he can be trusted for the outcome regardless of the present situations.

When we become distracted by what we face, and there are times when we face things which may cause us to wonder if we can trust in our Lord, or we are tempted to relay on our own devices, and our strengths to deal with these situations especially when God seems to delay in answering our prayers or when painful or uncertain situations continue longer than we feel we can endure.

At times we may be tempted to deal with life’s challenges through the strengths of our flesh, and even if our true motivations for wanting some problems to be resolved may be carnal but only are masked in spirituality we might then resort to the talents, gifts, and resources of the carnal nature under the pretense of wisdom. we “lean to our own understanding”.

 When we turn to the strengths of the flesh, we are like those whom the Psalmist describe who placed their trust in military power which is the fullest expression of straight of the flesh.

"Some boast in chariots and some in horses" Ps: 20:7a

If we read the Psalm we see however where our trust is to be placed with divine assurance that God will save us even when we stumble and fall.

” Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some boast in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright” Ps:20:6-8

When we face what seems to be unending problems and we grow weary in the midst of such times, we can find assurances that God will sustain us even in the trials and that there will be away of escape for us.

  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”1Cor:10:13

 Jesus’ Trust

In Jesus’ life here upon the Earth our Lord faced many trails, he faced opposition, he faced critics, and ultimately faced betrayal at the hand of a friend and was abandoned by his Disciples.  Jesus was arrested without  warrant, tried without basis, falsely accused, was denied justice and sentenced to death, died was dead and buried; in short, his whole life fell apart, his success was taken from him and his critics rejoiced over his apparent “failure”.

The Prophet Isaiah foresaw the life of the Messiah and wrote of the contradiction of circumstances which he would face.

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?” Isa: 53:7-8

Jesus faced great opposition and the barbed comments of critics. Jesus saw his ministry cut off at what should have been, in human terms, the heights of it success, yet in spite of this our Lord never lost his trust in his Heavenly Father.

Jesus never lost trust in God no matter what he faced in during his life here upon the Earth.

At the very cross on which our Lord was nailed even the religious leaders sarcastically noted the trust which Jesus had in his Father.

“He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.” Matt: 27:43

Jesus always trusted God no matter what the outcome of his existing circumstance were. Jesus knew that his Father would, in the end, bring redemption to all which he faced in spite of what the voice critics around him were proclaiming.

Jesus went from having a ministry which challenged the stale notions of the religious establishment and attracting large crowds and generating great excitement and hope among the people, to being arrested, publicly discredited, accused falsely to being pronounced guilt, crucified died and was laid in the tomb, yet through all which he faced he never lost in trust in the Father and in his power to deliver him, even from death and the grave. Simply Jesus trusted God because he knew God, that trusting God is inseparable from a relationship with God.

When we face hardships and we feel discouraged and our trust in God is tested, recall what our Lord Jesus faced and the deliverance which God brought about on his behalf. This same deliverance will be ours as well as Jesus admonishes us.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” Jhn:14:1

Benediction: May we each and all ever put our trust in our Lord God, and know him that we might trust him today, tomorrow and forever more, Amen.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma.

                       “If It's Not About Jesus, It's Not About Anything!”