Well, today is the day I get to start BLOGGING again! I love sharing GOD'S WORD - encouraging others with the LOVE and JOY He has given me. I finished my Psalm study last year, and I have been doing a lot of studying and writing, on my JOURNEY through the GOSPELS. I wanted to GROW in my relationship with JESUS - MY SAVIOUR AND MY FRIEND.
It has been 12 months since I had my last stroke. As it affected my BRAIN this time, and my SPEECH; I have found it difficult to READ AND WRITE as I used to - but I am glad you have been patient with me. I had lots of help from my friends - Max Lucado and Charles Swindoll; and my new encouragers: Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (Alpha: You Version), Chip Judd, (Messenger X) and a number of others who have kept my from "giving up". Of course, it wouldn't be without Jesus, his Father and the Holy Spirit who with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John I have grown in my FAITH and SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
So, let's get started! The NEW TESTAMENT - the Gospels - focus on Jesus' birth, teachings, miracle healings and of course Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus was a Jew and as he travelled around with the His disciples, the Temple was his place of WORSHIP, and although He was not always popular with the Pharisees and Saducees - the "elders" and the "civil authorities", and He knew that one day this would lead to his death, Jesus knew that he had a mission not only to the Jews, but the Gentiles, and later he would send His disciples out to other parts of the world.
"The Gospels tell the story of Jesus, not to just to give us interesting facts about an historical person, but so that we could discover the GOOD NEWS about how Jesus and His Father God could make a life changing impact on US." Stephen Travis
1. We've got to wonder what Jesus saw in Matthew - the Tax Collector. But Matthew followed Jesus' call and he never left his side. He started "journalling", wanting everyone else to experience the joy of knowing JESUS - THE MESSIAH. Matthew concentrates on the Jewish faith and how Jesus' life was fulfilled in prophecies in the Old Testament.
"Then Jesus said to them, "Have you never read the Scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the CORNERSTONE, the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in His eyes." Matthew 21:42 (NIV)
2. Mark's Gospel was a little shorter, yet he still trusted in Jesus as his Saviour and Friend. As His disciple, Mark wanted to learn how Jesus taught and acted. Then Jews expected the Messiah - a political leader - but Mark saw Jesus as a humble servant, the Son of Man and the suffering King of Kings.
"But the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to SERVE, and to GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY." Mark 10:41 (NIV)
3. Luke was an educated man, a doctor and historian. Luke addressed his history to the "most excellent Theopolis", most likely a Roman official. He wasn't one of Jesus' followers in His early ministry, but Luke knew that Jesus was GOD'S SON, THE MESSIAH, and his SAVIOUR. Luke knew that Jesus HEALED THE SICK, PREACHED THE GOSPEL and cared for the POOR AND NEEDY. He knew that this was all about fulfilling God's plan to LOVE OTHERS, and to have VICTORY over sin and death.
"For the Son of Man came to SEEK and SAVE the lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)
John, the disciple Jesus loved, knew that He was the SON OF GOD, sent by HIS FATHER to be the SAVIOUR of the world. John talks about who Jesus truly was - The WORD, the LAMB OF GOD, the GOOD SHEPHERD, the BREAD OF LIFE, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, the TRUE VINE , HIS FATHER and the WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE.
"For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, He gave His ONLY SON that whoever BELIEVES IN HIM will not perish, but will have ETERNAL LIFE. For God did not send His Son into the world, to condemn the world, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD through HIM." John 3:16&17 (NIV)
"GOD LOVES ME AND I LOVE HIM. HE IS LOVE. GO TO GOD, AND RECEIVE HIS LOVE AND REST IN HIS PRESENCE. " Chip Judd
"Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
Travis, Dr David (Principal and Director of Research, St Johns College, Nottingham); Elliot, Mark (Lecturer in Church History, University of St Andrews), "Reading the Bible - An Approval List, the Canon of Scripture - Deuteronical books." , The LION Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition, 2009
JUDD, Chip, (Pastor, Marriage and Family Counselor, Coach and Consultant: Seacrest Church , "Healthy Relationships Course," 2025, Messenger X

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