MARK 6: DO NOT BE DISHEARTENED

 

Mark 6:4

Scripture:
And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Observation:
When Jesus came back to His hometown Nazareth, many who heard His teachings was astonished. As if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing and hearing. They recognize Him as the carpenter’s son who came from a humble beginning, and a brother to so and so. They were skeptical at His mighty works and divine wisdom. And yet, they rejected His authority and divine calling. And because of this, there’s only few to whom He ministered His power and authority. He couldn’t do much because of their unbelief.

It's sad to think that even the people closest to Him, people who knew Him from His young age, find it hard to believe how He is able to do so. And why is that? All because of their lack of faith, unbelief, and their familiarity. Since they knew His family upbringings, they couldn’t help but doubt in disbelief.

It is an absolute matter of fact even to this day and age that when our loved ones find out about our renewed faith in Christ, they find it hard to believe the transformation they see in us.

May magsasabi na lang sayo na – weeeh… di nga? Seryoso ka ba? Kelan ka pa naging ganyan? Ano nakain mo?

These are some of the many antics they throw at us. Kilalang-kilala nila tayo. Sa mga galawan pa lang, alam na nila kung ano yung tumatakbo sa isip natin. Minsan kahit sarili nating pamilya, kaibigan at kamag-anak, halos di tayo paniwalaan. And guess what? Sila pa yung mahirap evangelize. Kahit paulit-ulit mo na pinaliwanag, parang hirap na hirap silang tangapin dahil sa nakasanayan at kinagisnan nila.

Minsan, may maririnig ka pa, ayan na si alive-alive. Puro praise the Lord na naman sasabihin nyan. Nakakalungkot lang isipin na sa kagustuhan mo silang ma-save, parang sila pa yung nagre-reject at lumalayo.

Application:
This verse teaches us to never lose hope, not to be disheartened, thus, continue to persevere and endure the challenges. Keep on planting and sowing, persevere in prayer, show our love and compassion, hold on to our faith and hope that one day, they too will be enlightened, and Jesus will reveal Himself to them.

Wag tayong panghinaan ng loob, kung hindi man natin sila nahikayat, for sure, may ibang ipapadala ang Diyos para malaman nila ang katotohanan sa kanilang faith. So, we keep on praying, we press on. Sabi nga ni Pastora, they can run away from us, but they cannot run away from our prayers.


Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding us not to lose hope and not to give up on our loved ones. May we have a humble heart full of love and compassion to face rejection, mocking and persecution. May we stand firm and profess our faith even at times it is difficult because of the unbelief and doubts. May we always recognize your grace upon us. May we learn to discern the good and the bad in any situation. May we continue to serve You and share Your Word no matter the circumstances. May we never get tired of praying for our loved ones that they may know and encounter You. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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ELDER JOEL - JCRC RIYADH

Mark 5: NO ONE BUT JESUS

 📖 Scripture

Mark 5:14-20

NO ONE BUT JESUS

🔎 Observation

This illustrates the transformation of the demon-possessed man through Jesus' authority as Lord and Savior that even the demons within the man recognized Jesus' sovereignty.

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS SUPREME AUTHORITY OVER ANY DEMON/OPPRESSION
📍The demons recognized Jesus and His authority over them and begged Jesus not to torment them.

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS UNDENIABLE POWER TO TRANSFORM LIFE
📍The demon-possessed man, living in tombs, in total social isolation, and self-harming was found "clothed and in his right mind".

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS GREATER COMMAND TO TESTIFY OF HIS HEALING AND GRACE
📍The healed man obeyed Jesus, being saved by the grace of God, he did what the Lord told him to do.

💡Application

💟 No One Is Beyond God's Grace In Jesus
📍Acknowledge that only in Jesus we can be saved
📍Surrender our lives to Jesus and commit to follow Him

💟 No Situation Is Too Far Gone In Jesus
📍Believe Jesus has the power to change our situation no matter how hopeless it may seem
📍Trust Jesus has the power to heal and liberate us no matter how broken, isolated or sinful we may feel

💟 No Other Proper Response But to Share Jesus
📍The proper response to deliverance is telling others what the Lord has done
📍Our primary mission field is often our own home and community

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your authority to restore and for the mercy that transforms lives, as seen in the story of the man from Decapolis. Thank You Lord that no amount of darkness, sickness, or hopelessness can place anyone beyond Your grace. We ask You Lord to give us the courage to fully surrender to You and to faithfully share the story of Your redeeming work in our lives with our families, friends and community. Amen.

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

Mark 1: Authority in Christ, Prayer and Compassion

 

Mark 1

Authority in Christ, Prayer and Compassion

There is so much information and deep lessons in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Mark.

 What really captured my heart was how Jesus’ ministry started and the qualities He had shown from the start. Beginning from being baptised by his cousin, John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for Jesus (v3).

 1. The Wilderness – resisting temptation and being faithful to God the Father

From v9 – 11, Jesus went to John the Baptist and asked John to baptise him and after His baptism the heavens was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. When Jesus came to be baptised, it was done before He started his ministry to teach people the message of salvation.

The next thing that happened after Jesus’ baptism, v12 tells us that he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into wilderness, where he was alone for 40 days. In my own life I have experienced the place of being alone in the wilderness, it is not easy or comforting, but it is the place where we are being stripped from our fleshly desires, our own selfish ambitions and learn to lean on and trust in Christ for our victory. The wilderness is not a place to fear, in my humble opinion it is a necessity… for every believer to have a close, intimate walk with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness, be thankful to the Lord and praise Him for the opportunity to grow and be sanctified, for your own good.

 Characteristics of Jesus

 From verse 14 to verse 45, three more things capture my heart in the qualities that Jesus showed in character i.e., His authority, Prayer and Compassion.

 2. Authority

When Jesus taught in the synagogues, the people were amazed at the authority with which He preached (v22). His presence was even recognised by the demon inside a man who attended synagogue, the demon became restless, recognising Jesus’ authority. Jesus did not entertain or plead with or shouted at the demon, He simply commanded it to be silent upon which the demon left the man. After witnessing this, the people attending synagogue were even more amazed at the authority Jesus held. As Jesus followers and the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us, we carry the same authority given to us. We need to make an effort and ask Jesus to help us walk in the fullness of the authority that is available to us through Him.

 3. Prayer

After Jesus cast out the demon, he also healed Peter’s mother-in-law (v31) and then many people who came to the Synagogue asking for healing and deliverance (v32-34). Following this intensive time of teaching, healing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus got up early in the morning before day-break to go out alone to pray.

 Prayer was a priority for Jesus – early in the morning, before the day begins to spend time alone with His Father (God), no interruption, no-one else but them.

 We too also need time alone with God in prayer, to pour out our hearts to Him. When we are alone, we can bring our raw emotions and honesty to God, without fearing what others will think or say. We should train ourselves to be quiet and still to listen until we hear His voice speaking into our silence, receiving the waters of life that we all need so desperately.

 4. Compassion

In v40 when the poor leper asked Jesus to heal him, Jesus felt pity for the man and responded that He wants to heal the man and (here we see the authority in Jesus’ action again) Jesus simply spoke to him and said: “Be healed” (v41) and the man was healed immediately.

But the miracle did not end here, Jesus had so much compassion with this man that He was also concerned with his reputation, the condition of his soul and emotions. Jesus ordered the man to go and show himself to the priest and take the offering as instructed in the law of Moses as proof that he is completely healed and clean. Jesus showed respect to the law, but this action was also to ensure that the now healed leper would not be treated as an outcast anymore, so that he could be acknowledged in society and allowed to go and worship with others in the synagogue again. Jesus also cares about our hearts and wants to bring complete healing to our emotions and souls, the parts that cannot be seen. Will we let Him do that for us?

 

Prayer

Lord we pray and ask that when we are in the wilderness, to help us keep on seeking you, trusting you, turning to you with every difficulty and affliction so that You can lead us into the place of Victory you prepared for us, so that we can also walk in the fullness of the authority of Christ, remain prayerful and abiding in Christ and have compassion with our fellowman like the examples you showed us. Amen.

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PASTORA HESMA – JCRC CAPETOWN

 

MARK 4: TRUSTING JESUS IN THE STORM

 

Mark 4:35

“Jesus said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’”

At the end of the day, Jesus told His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side.”Those words were simple, but they carried a promise. Jesus already knew where they were going and that they would make it safely.But while they were crossing, a strong storm suddenly came. The wind blew hard, the waves filled the boat, and the disciples became afraid. Even though Jesus was with them, they focused more on the storm than on His word.

Sometimes we are just like them.

God gives us a promise, or a direction for our lives, but then difficulties come. We face problems, delays, heartbreak, pressure, fear, or uncertainty. And when the storm gets heavy, we begin to wonder if we will ever make it through.

But the storm did not change what Jesus said.

If Jesus said, “Let us cross over,” then the storm could not stop them from reaching the other side. The waves were real, but His word was greater.

In the same way, the struggles we are facing today cannot cancel Gods purpose in our life. The storm may be painful, but it is temporary. God is still with us in the middle of it all.

Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is continuing to trust God when everything around us feels uncertain. But faith is believing that even when the wind is strong, Jesus is still in control.

Today, remember this:
We are not alone in our storm. Jesus is in the boat with us He sees our tears, our worries, and our silent battles. And if He promised to bring us through, then He will not fail us

There is still hope. There is still purpose. And by Gods grace, we will reach the other side stronger than before.

HEART CHECK
1. What storm in my life is making me feel afraid or discouraged today?
2. I am listening more to my fears or to Gods promises?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for staying with us through every storm in our life. Sometimes we become afraid when things do not go the way we expected, but today we choose to trust You again.Help us hold on to Your promises even when life feels uncertain. Calm every fear, every anxious thought, and every burden in our heart. Remind us that no storm is greater than Your power and no situation is beyond Your control.In Jesus name🙏🙏🙏

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ELDER JOAN - JCRC RIYADH

MARK 4: LIFE'S STORM

 

Scripture:
Mark 4:35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.””

Sometimes life feels like the storm in The Gospel of Mark chapter 4 — loud waves, strong winds, and moments where God seems silent. Yet Jesus was never absent from the boat. His presence alone is the assurance that we would not sink.

God reminded me that faith is not proven during calm seasons, but in moments when fear tries to overpower trust. Like the seed planted in good soil, His word must first take root deeply within me before it can produce fruit outwardly. Growth may be unseen, slow, and uncomfortable, but heaven is still working beneath the surface.

My rhema today is this: I will not allow temporary storms to make me doubt an eternal God. The Lord who calms the sea is also able to calm my heart. I may not understand every delay, every struggle, or every closed door, but I choose to trust that God is cultivating something greater in me. In silence, He is teaching me dependence. In waiting, He is building my faith. And in every storm, He is revealing His power.

Lets us pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for being with us in every storm of life. Just as Jesus calmed the wind and sea, calm our fears and strengthen our faith. Help us trust You even when life feels difficult. Remind us that You are always in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Elder Nel - JCRC Riyadh

 

Scripture: 

Mark 3:14-15 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.

Observation:
Jesus appointed His twelve disciples, people with different characteristics and backgrounds, mostly fishermen, ordinary men. Jesus chosen them to carry His message despite their status and personalities. They are not perfect yet they responded and obeyed Him.

Some of them failed as they served and follow Jesus. Yet along the way, as they serve they were being transformed.

John and James were described as “sons of thunder” due to their impatience and impulsive behavior. But in the latter, we see John’s gospel focuses about love and loving one another.

Peter denied Jesus three times but he returned to Him with sincere repentance which lead him to serve more eagerly in the ministry until the end of his life.

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus in return of thirty pieces of silver. Initially, he felt intense remorse yet chose to take his own life instead of drawing back to Jesus.

Some of disciples (like James) were shy, quiet and sometimes overlooked yet he remain faithful and humble.

Application:
Let us not waste nor take for granted the privilege given to us to serve in the ministry of Christ. Regardless of who we are, or what we can and what we can’t, whether we think of if we are worthy or not, the fact that we are called to serve is a great opportunity for us to follow Jesus and grow our relationship with Him and be transformed into a Christ- like being. Unlike Judas wag po nating sayangin yung salvation na natanggap natin. Wag po nating bitawan yung faith natin.

Let us pray,
Heavenly Father we thank You for the privilege of calling us to serve in Your ministry. Give us hearts willing to obey despite of our weakness, knowing that Your grace is enough to sustain us. Help us to keep our faith in You and hold on to You in times that we struggle and stumble. Give us a humble heart to repent when we fail You and come back closer to You. In Jesus name. Amen🙏🏼

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ELDER JOY S. - JCRC RIYADH

MARK 2: FAITH THAT LIFTS AND WALKS

 

SCRIPTURE: MARK 2:3-5, 11-12- FAITH  THAT LIFTS AND WALKS

              3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

              4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

              11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home.”

12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”

OBSERVATION

This passage reveals the power of persistent faith and the transforming authority of Jesus. The four friends refused to let the crowd stop them; their determination broke through barriers—literally tearing open the roof—to bring their paralyzed friend to Christ. Jesus honored their faith, first forgiving the man’s sins, then commanding him to rise and walk.

The miracle was complete: forgiveness, healing, and testimony. The man walked out carrying the very mat that once symbolized his weakness, now a testimony of God’s power. The crowd was amazed, glorifying God.

Other scriptures echo this truth:

·       “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” — James 5:16

·       “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

·       “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26

Faith that perseveres leads to transformation, and transformation leads to testimony that glorifies God.

APPLICATION

This story challenges us to live out faith that perseveres and obeys. The friends teach us to carry one another to Christ, refusing to give up even when obstacles arise. The healed man teaches us to obey Jesus’ word—he rose, carried his mat, and walked out, becoming a living testimony.

·       “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders… and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” — Hebrews 12:1

·       “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

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PRAYER

Hallelujah! Father God, thank You for showing us that persistent faith moves Your heart and brings transformation.

We pray for the JCRC Family to be an example of perseverance and great faith—faith that carries others to You, faith that presses through obstacles, and faith that obeys Your word.

Like the four friends, may  JCRC Family carry one another in prayer, service, and encouragement. And like the healed man, may we rise in obedience to Your word, becoming a testimony of Your transforming grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.

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PASTORA JEANNIE – JCRC SORSOGON