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Mark 6:51b-52, "They [the twelve disciples] were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."

Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Mark 14:37-38,
"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” "

Have you ever been found by the Lord sleeping, when you know you were supposed to be watching and praying? I have, sadly and unnecessarily, many times, and have fallen into temptation.
Is one hour of fellowship in reading and pondering God's Word and talking with Jesus so much to ask from us? Yes and no!

Matthew 26:53,54, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

I wonder what would happen, if Jesus did call on his Father to send him 12 legions of angels to help him.

It may have proved to his disciples that Jesus came to save Israel from the Romans. It may have convinced to the religious leaders that he is sent from God. Or, it may have pursuaded all Israel that Jesus is the Messiah!

After some time when Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch, to encourage the brothers in the faith, some teachers came form Judea teaching, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." This false teaching upset the minds of the Gentile believers, causing mental and emotional confusion and distress.

The sad story of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 16.15-17.23 is given to us by God in the Holy Scriptures, so we may learn to humble ourselves before our holy and all knowing God, and not take pride in our knowledge, learning, wisdom and spirituality. May we realize that without a sincere and pure devotion to Jesus Christ, we are useless and foolish, and all our knowledge will come to nothing, in the end!

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 6 says that we who have put our faith in Christ Jesus, have been united with Christ in his death on the cross, and have been raised with him to a new life, made alive to God, so now we can bear fruit of holy character for God. But sometimes I find that we Christians misunderstand what Paul meant by our death to sin.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

“So”, there is one message of salvation and one way of being saved. The message – Christ died and rose again, on behalf of sinners. The way – believe in your heart that God who raised Jesus from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Imagine, a child acting as if his or her sibling was not part of the family - ignoring, not talking to, avoiding the other...and etc. That would be cruel, and unacceptable. And that is what was happening in the church at Corinth.

Ecclesiastes 7:16a

English Standard Version - "Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?"

King James Version - "Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?"

Here are some of the faithful commentators of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.