United As One 10.18.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Mark, please read Chapters 12-13 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2012-13&version=9

Today we will read about the wicked tenant farmers; paying taxes; the resurrection; the greatest commandments; a widow's offering, and being prepared. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God is a unity of three Gods, (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) which make up One True or Complete God.

Jesus was often questioned by the scribes as a way to try tempt Him, the more Jesus spoke the angrier they got, vowing to find some way in which they can cease Him and kill Him. "And they (the Pharisees) sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him." (Mark 12:12-17).

We are not required to give God all that we have, just as we are to give a portion to the government we are to give only a portion to God. The great thing with giving a portion to God is that we will get double in return. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (II Corinthians 9:6).

A little later, Jesus was questioned again, "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (12:28-31).

Our God is the English translation for the Hebrew word Elohenu, God used this word 2500 times in reference to Himself as the Self-Existent, One True God. Furthermore, the word One is the English translation for the word Echad, this word is a declaration that the Lord is a plurality in unity, expressing One as being united. For example, a man and woman that are married become one flesh, once they have children they become one family, no matter how many children they have they still remain one family. In a sense they are many people making up one unity. This truth exposes the ignorance of all who refuse to recognize Jesus as the One True God, and Creator of all things.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word. Let me live that I may praise You and may Your laws sustain me. My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night!
God bless,
Christina

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