datethewordtest

Tag: Mark

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30

    “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,
    and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” – Mark 12:30
    Jesus is being QUESTIONED, EXAMINED if you will, by the religious leaders at the temple. In Mark 12:28 a scribe presents one of the questions that is greatly debated among the religious leaders asking Jesus WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?  This was a pretty good question to ask as there were 613 laws or commandments and within those 613 were the Ten Commandments.  One can imagine the interest at this moment as to what Jesus would say.  

    What was His answer?  Starting at Mark 12:29 He answered, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

    What was His answer as we seek to discover truth to apply to our lives?  I don’t mean to oversimplify but I think we can sum up His answer with LOVE GOD! LOVE PEOPLE!

    LOVE GOD!  

    LOVE PEOPLE!

    Love God because He first loved you!

    Love people even if they don’t love you back.  

    LOVE GOD!!  LOVE PEOPLE!!

    As we review the past and look to the future with a new year before us what have been your priorities and what will your priorities be?  Where does your relationship with God fall on your list of priorities?  Where does your relationship with people fall on your list of priorities?
     
    Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30. It says, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”)

    Continue Strong INCREASING in your LOVE FOR GOD and LOVE FOR PEOPLE
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17

    “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, 
    and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.” – Mark 12:17
    A Good Citizen of TWO Worlds

    With Mark 12:17 beginning with AND JESUS ANSWERED we should quickly look back at the question.  Notice Mark 12:13 – 16 for the background.  
    Then they (Religious leaders who want to kill Jesus) sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?  “Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”  (THE QUESTION IS PROPOSED and now the answer begins) But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

    In seeking to trick Jesus into a response that would land Him in hot water with the Romans Jesus is asked about paying TAXES.  With much wisdom, He answers with an answer that leaves the listeners astonished.  He looks at a coin with Caesar’s image on it and says GIVE Caesar the things that are his.  In other words, He said, YES PAY YOUR TAXES.   What makes this verse so astonishing is the next part as He tells them to GIVE to GOD the things that are HIS.  

    Church father Tertullian wrote, “‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s;’ that is, give to Caesar his image stamped upon his coin, and give to God His Own image stamped upon you; so that while you render to Caesar the coin which is his due, you may render your own self to God.”  (Pulpit Commentary)

    To the question of paying taxes, the response from Jesus is that we have responsibilities to our government and then He added that we have responsibilities to God.  

    A citizen of heaven should be a good citizen on earth AND a citizen on earth should be a faithful citizen of heaven.  

    While giving a tribute (tax) to the Roman government Jesus calls the questioners to give themselves in TOTALITY to God.  In essence, He exposed them for not being loyal to Caesar and not being loyal to God.  No wonder they were ASTONISHED at this teaching!  

    So, are you paying your taxes? I trust you are.
    So, are you PRESENTING yourself to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him?

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17. It says, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”

    Continue Strong as good citizens of Earth and Heaven,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 30 (10/30) is Mark 10:30

    (v 29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no-one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel) will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” – Mark 10:30
    The COST and the REWARDS of FOLLOWING JESUS

    Mark 10 tells of the Apostle Peter evaluating the decision to FOLLOW JESUS.  In Mark 10:28 Peter said to Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you!”  This statement contrasts the previous story of the RICH YOUNG RULER who was unwilling to give up his riches to FOLLOW JESUS.  

    The response of Jesus to Peter is one that clarifies the cost but also the rewards of FOLLOWING JESUS.  Following always involves LEAVING.  Often the one leaving will be leaving what one does and has as well as many family members and friends. To leave is, well, hard.  Peter states a truth about his life in which he left fishing for fish to become a fisher of men.  He knew his life would never be the same when he decided to follow Jesus.  He had left everything.

    With Peter stating the truth about his life Jesus now states the truth about what one can expect to receive when they leave the known for the unknown in following Him.  He tells Peter (and tells you and me) that no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life.  

    As we unpack this truth, we really have several truths here as Jesus tells of what one receives in this present age and in the age to come.  As far as leaving family and friends and even occupation Jesus says one is going to find a richness in new relationships that will seem as if one has hundreds of mothers and brothers and sisters.  

    Some of you reading this can immediately give testimony of how this has played out in your life.  I know I can!!  

    He also stays on point about the cost of following Him as it will mean that while there is the richness of Christian fellowship there will be the hatred of the world.   One has to love that with that sobering thought of receiving persecution, He immediately reminds us of our future ETERNAL LIFE in the age to come!  

    While FOLLOWING JESUS is costly it is also very REWARDING!!   You don’t lose with leaving!  

    And as far as persecution goes the best the enemy can do is scare you with heaven!    
    Friends, you will not lose in leaving to follow Jesus!  The one leaving will also be receiving!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 30 (10/30) is Mark 10:30.  Mark 10:30 says (29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel) will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”

    Continue Strong knowing He takes care of His followers.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 22 (10/22) is Mark 10:22

    “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful,
    for he had great possessions.” – Mark 10:22
    The Point of Pride

    As I started my Christian journey over 40 years ago, I was taught the sad story of the RICH YOUNG RULER. A professor said what kept him from experiencing salvation was his pride.  The professor said that as we witness to the lost, we needed to be aware of what he called the POINT of PRIDE.  As the gospel is presented the lost person has to decide to repent of what they believe and/or how they are behaving that is not in line with being a Christian.  

    For some, it would be the unwillingness to repent of a false belief.  As the claims of Christ are presented, they find it hard to say what they have believed is wrong.  

    For some, it would be the unwillingness to repent of a sinful behavior or behaviors.  As the claims of Christ are presented, they find it hard to GIVE UP THEIR SINFUL LIFESTYLE.  

    As I have witnessed over the years, I have unfortunately seen the point of pride come to the forefront of the conversation.  Many times, it appeared with the statement “Does this mean I can no longer….”  As I witnessed to someone with a different religion the man said he would like to ADD Jesus to his spiritual resume.  He said he could worship his false religious leader and Jesus.  He felt his chances of getting to heaven would be better.  I told him you do not add Jesus, you accept Jesus.  He then walked away.   I saw the point of pride.

    With another person, it was their involvement in immorality.  They asked me if they would accept Jesus would they have to stop having sex outside of marriage?  I told him that would be a change one would expect from a Christian.  He said that he was not giving up sex for salvation and walked away.  I saw the point of pride.

    Mark 10:22 tells how a man was more in love with earthly riches than storing up treasure in heaven.  Jesus had pinpointed the point of pride in him, and this man was unwilling to let Jesus be his focus and desire.  He just could not see giving up his possession to “take up the cross, and follow Jesus.” 

    Earlier Jesus asked a very haunting question, asking in Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”  What a question.  Yet so many would rather enjoy earthly pleasures and profit and lose their soul.  What about you?

    As you now ponder on Mark 10:22 know that there will be in your witnessing the moment of decision and in some cases, the point of pride will come right to the front.  You will need to be honest that they don’t get to ADD Jesus or KEEP sinning.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 22 (10/22) is Mark 10:22. It says, “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

    Continue Strong knowing nothing on the earth is worth missing Jesus and the salvation He offers.
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 27 (8/27) is Mark 8:27

    “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the
    road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” – Mark 8:27
    Who is this JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH?  

    When Jesus Christ walked the earth, many questions arose from many different people about WHO HE WAS. Religious leaders and political leaders wondered WHO WAS this man from Nazareth?  John the Baptist said He was the Lamb of God. The Pharisees accused Him of being nothing more than a person born out of fornication.  They even accused Him of being a person controlled by the devil.  People He helped wondered if He could truly be the Christ.  There were lots of interesting possibilities to the answer of WHO is this Jesus of Nazareth.

    Here in the 21st century we still have debates on who Jesus was and yes, is. Is He to be placed on the list of LEGENDARY fictional figures? Is He to be placed on the list of LEGENDARY historical figures? Is He to be viewed as nothing more than a LIAR as He proclaimed to be someone and something He wasn’t? Is He to be viewed as nothing more than a LUNATIC for making such outrageous statements about Himself? Or is He to be viewed as LORD of Lords and King of Kings, the one True Messiah who came to earth from heaven’s glories?  

    As we consider WHO WAS JESUS maybe to get the best answer is to ask His Father.  In Philippians 2:9 we read, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Looks like the Father believes Jesus is LORD.

    Now, WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?  It is an answer you don’t want to get wrong!

    The verse to DATE the Word on August 27 (8/27) is Mark 8:27.  Mark 8:27 says, “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

    Continue Strong with the knowledge that Jesus is Lord,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 2 (8/2) is Mark 8:2

    Jesus said to them “I have compassion on the multitude because they have
    now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.” – Mark 8:2
    The COMPASSIONATE CHRIST

    When considering how one might describe Jesus Christ the word COMPASSIONATE has to be one of the words used. Nine different times the gospels tell us He had COMPASSION.  He would SEE the people, yes, SEE a PERSON, HEAR A PLEA for HELP and He would FEEL the pain and the various NEEDS that they had.  Moved with COMPASSION, He would TAKE ACTION to relieve the pain or provide for the need.   Here in Mark 8:2, He has seen the multitude and discerned what they are missing.  Knowing they are hungry and not having any way to relieve their hunger, He, moved with COMPASSION, is going to work to relieve the distress

    Following the example of Jesus, we are to be compassionate.  I Peter 3:8 says, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

    What does “having compassion for one another” look like to you?

    Putting the Christ-like character of compassion into actions means:
    1. We SEE a person, not just people.  To SEE a person, not just people, one needs to WALK SLOWLY THROUGH THE CROWD.   Jesus saw a crippled man in John 5.  In the midst of people, He saw a person. 
    2. We HEAR the person as they speak.  One of the duties, if you will, of love, of compassion is to LISTEN.  A leper will ask Jesus for healing.  Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1.41) Two blind men cried out to Jesus for healing.  Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.  (Matthew 20:34)
    3. We FEEL the PAIN.  As Jesus sees and hears what is happening with people it says in Matthew 14:14 that when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude, and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.
    4. We ACT to ALLEVIATE for compassion is far more than knowing the condition of a person and/or feeling sorry about the condition.  Compassion goes to WORK to alleviate to the best of one’s ability the pain and to provide relief for that which is missing. 

    A tremendous guide for being compassionate toward people is to visualize three words written across their chest.   The three words are HANDLE WITH CARE!

    Our verse to DATE the Word on August 2 (8/2) is Mark 8:2. It says, “Jesus said to them “I have compassion on the multitude because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.”

    Let us be like the COMPASSIONATE CHRIST!!

    Continue Strong with a compassionate heart for others,
    And remember to DATE The Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25
    Mark 3:25 says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
    UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL.  

    Some of the statements from Jesus are blunt and to the point and as well they are very memorable.  Mark 3:25 is one of those statements.  “IF A HOUSE IS DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF, THAT HOUSE CANNOT STAND.”  

    While there is power in division such as seen in Exodus 18 where Jethro advises Moses to DIVIDE and Minister by having the Israelites broken up into small groups with group leaders, division can be extremely dangerous and destructive.  Whether it is a team or an organization or a home or church divisiveness is detrimental.  It is one thing to have a difference of opinion but it is another thing to become divisive.   Many times a difference of opinion helps to bring about a better solution.  More often than not a divisive opinion drives wedges between people and pushes each other more and more apart. 

    Where does division come from?  I think that is a worthy question.  Knowing that it is destructive I would think we would want to know what causes it.  Divisiveness raises its ugly head when one starts looking out for their own interest. The person only wants what is best for themselves. There is no more seeking to understand. Paul feared the church at Corinth would be quarreling, fueled by jealousy, selfish ambitions, arrogance, etc. Notice 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish —  that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”  

    As I worked with the leadership teams at Liberty University we did a full lesson on these NEGATIVE actions – these ENEMIES of a team as these actions are divisive. They divided the team and they destroyed the team. 

    Paul would also write to the Galatians to beware lest they consume – destroy each other.  Notice Galatians 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!  And Galatians 5:26, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

    Friends, the very real reality is we are ALL different and we have different gifts and different talents and yes, DIFFERENCES, yet we are called to be of the SAME mind and we are called to work together for the cause of Christ. We have ONE Savior. We are a part of ONE body. The common Person is Jesus Christ. The common goal is to make Him known worldwide. There will need to be unity in the unit if that is to happen. We can’t be playing tug-a-war with each other. We need to COMPLETE each other rather than COMPETE with each other!  

    BTW – do you know the difference between competing with one another and completing one other?  The L.  One letter.  L. That is the difference!  Put the L in competing and you have completing.   What does the L stand for?  L stands for LOVE.  When you love one another, you don’t compete with one another, you seek and work to complete one another!

    To keep division and divisiveness out of our lives there are a couple of quick things you can do to build unity.  The first is by getting on your knees and praying together as it is hard to kick someone when you are on your knees! 
    Secondly, seek first to understand before seeking to be understood! 
    Thirdly, be more like grapes than marbles.  Marbles are hard and unyielding.  They never come together. They bang and clash!  Grapes are flexible and able to yield.  Pressed together they make something very good.  
    Fourth, let us be committed to being ONE for the ONE and only!! The cause of Christ is too important to be divided.   

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25. It says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

    UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL.   Let us be a TEAM for TOGETHER EACH ACCOMPLISHES MORE!

    Continue Strong being unified in purpose,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD 
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/7) is Mark 1:17
    Mark 1:17 says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
    Becoming MADE More by Following Jesus

    As I was growing up, I attended a church where most Sundays all the children would go to the front and sing one or two “children’s songs.” One of my favorites was “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Maybe some of you recall the little tune 
    I will make you fishers of men, Fishers of men, fishers of men. 
    I will make you fishers of men, If you follow Me. 
    If you follow Me, If you follow Me, 
    I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me.

    Later in a Sunday School class, I would hear the Bible story that the song was based on, hearing how Jesus would make a simple request of some men with a very specific reason in mind. I would hear how these men would leave what they were doing to go with Jesus and become His disciples.  With just a few words of FOLLOW ME and I will make you become fishers of men Jesus invited a variety of men to join Him and to have a new cause for their lives.    

    How do you react to those two words of FOLLOW ME?  What questions arise as you process the invitation?  Surely the questions of WHERE?  HOW LONG? WHAT FOR? WHEN?  WHY? WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME? goes through one’s mind.  To FOLLOW implies surrender.  In surrendering you are yielding your rights to another.  

    As I reflect on singing, I Will Make You Fishers of Men I recall we also sang at the invitation of our church services HAVE THINE OWN WAY and WHERE YOU LEAD ME, I WILL FOLLOW.  

    Have Thine own way Lord
    Have Thine own way
    Thou art the potter I am the clay
    Mold me and make me after Thy will
    While I am waiting yielded and still

    Mold me and make me always stood out because Jesus said, “Follow me and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.”  Part of saying yes to following Jesus is knowing He is about MAKING something of you for His glory.  Jesus’ invitation to those fishermen was to allow HIM to MAKE them BECOME something greater than what they presently were doing.  Jesus’ invitation to you is to ALLOW Him to MAKE you BECOME something far greater with your life.  

    Are you a FOLLOWER of the Master? 
    Are you allowing the Master to MAKE you into what He wants? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/17) is Mark 1:17.  It says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

    Where He leads me, I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

    Continue Strong in surrender to following Jesus
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS. As you read this I am at the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30
    Mark 12:30 says, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” 
    Jesus is being QUESTIONED, EXAMINED if you will, by the religious leaders at the temple.  In Mark 12:28 a scribe presents one of the questions that is greatly debated among the religious leaders asking Jesus WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?  This was a pretty good question to ask as there were 613 laws or commandments and within those 613 were the Ten Commandments.  One can imagine the interest at this moment as to what Jesus would say.  

    What was His answer?  Starting at Mark 12:29 He answered, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31  “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

    What was His answer as we seek to discover truth to apply to our lives?  I don’t mean to oversimplify but I think we can sum up His answer with LOVE GOD! LOVE PEOPLE!

    LOVE GOD!  

    LOVE PEOPLE!

    Love God because He first loved you!

    Love people even if they don’t love you back.  

    LOVE GOD!!  LOVE PEOPLE!!

    As we review the past and look to the future with a new year before us what has been your priorities and what will your priorities be?  Where does your relationship with God fall on your list of priorities?  Where does your relationship with people fall on your list of priorities?  What changes need to be made?

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30. It says, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”)

    Continue Strong INCREASING in your LOVE FOR GOD and LOVE FOR PEOPLE
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17
    Mark 12:17 says, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”
    A Good Citizen of TWO Worlds

    With Mark 12:17 beginning with AND JESUS ANSWERED we should quickly look back at the question.  Notice Mark 12:13 – 16 for the background. 
    13 Then they (Religious leaders who want to kill Jesus) sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14  When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?  15  “Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”  (THE QUESTION IS PROPOSED and now the answer begins)
    But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16  So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

    In seeking to trick Jesus into a response that would land Him in hot water with the Romans Jesus is asked about paying TAXES.  With much wisdom, He answers with an answer that leaves the listeners astonished.  He looks at a coin with Caesar’s image on it and says GIVE to Caesar the things that are his.  In other words, He said YES PAY YOUR TAXES.   What makes this verse so astonishing is the next part as He tells them to GIVE to GOD the things that are HIS.  

    Church father Tertullian wrote, “‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s;’ that is, give to Caesar his image stamped upon his coin, and give to God His Own image stamped upon you; so that while you render to Caesar the coin which is his due, you may render your own self to God.”    (Pulpit Commentary)

    To the question of paying taxes, the response from Jesus is that we have responsibilities to our government and added that we have responsibilities to God.  A citizen of heaven should be a good citizen on earth AND a citizen on earth should be a faithful citizen of heaven. 

    While giving a tribute (tax) to the Roman government Jesus calls the questioners to give themselves in TOTALITY to God.  In essence, He exposed them for not being loyal to Caesar and not being loyal to God.  No wonder they were ASTONISHED at this teaching!  

    So, are you paying your taxes?
    So, are you PRESENTING yourself to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him?

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17. It says, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”

    Continue Strong as good citizens of earth and Heaven,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD