MARK 10: IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH

 

IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH

IN MARRIAGE:

⁶ But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ⁷ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,^{[a] 8} and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

This is the original design of God for man and woman. But because of lack of faith in God, man started to differ from this and ask Moses for the law. Then the new generation disregard the marriage more and more. If we have enough faith in God, whoever we ask from Him to be with us, we will keep it until the end of our life.

 LIKE A CHILD:

¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Children belongs to heaven because of their pure heart. Give them food and they will be happy and thankful. Hurt them and then ask forgiveness and they are ready to play with you again. Give them instructions and they obey without a doubt. They do believe that parent’s or someone they trust will never forsake them. A child’s faith is what God ask us to have.

 

OF A FOLLOWER

²⁸ Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” ²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

Jesus assures His disciples to have more than what you have left for the sake of following Him. And yes we have experienced that, we may be far from our parents, but with the brethren we have more than one pair of parents. We may have left our biological brothers and sister, but in the church we got dozens of brother and sisters. We may be far from our own children, but with the kid’s ministry and youth ministry, we have hundreds of kids around us. We have our family of Christ around the globe. The faith that God will always do His promises, makes us His good follower if not better. It helps us surrender all our possessions and let God move in our lives. And in following Him, truly indeed, we witness that with Him nothing is impossible.

 OF A MAN

⁴⁸ And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” ⁵⁰ And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” ⁵² And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

We are all in a way similar to this man Bartimaeus. We were all sick. All of us need healing. We all need mercy. We need a savior, a redeemer, a Jesus. And when Jesus called us, after we were forgiven, we left our “cloak” our previous identity; the sinner me and you. We became a new creation; we have left the old version of ourselves. We find healing in Jesus, then we follow Him all the way. This is our faith, we know, we believe, we trust that only Jesus and only HIM we need in our lives.

 

Let us reflect.

Is our faith enough to keep God-given people in our lives?

Is our faith enough to let go and surrender our wealth to follow Christ?

Do we have the character of a child to enter God’s kingdom?

Now that Jesus have saved you, will you follow Him all the way?

 

Let us pray.

Papa God,

Thank you for the revelation of Your word and for the conviction it brings.

Help us to discern who are the people you have given us that we need to keep, not only our spouse. May we have the character of a child to enter your kingdom Lord. Give us the courage to let go and surrender our wealth and those things that hinders us to follow you. And make our faith strong enough to surrender our lives to you and follow you all the way with no hesitations and no questions.

These I ask in the mighty name of Jesus.

Thank you my Lord, my God and my King. Amen.

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ELDER MAYEN – JCRC CAMBODIA

 

Mark 9: FAITH BEYOND FEELINGS

 

FAITH BEYOND FEELINGS

Aminin natin- ang sarap ng feeling pag nasa Lord.
Yung moments na grabe yung worship, goosebumps, yung iyak at parang ang lapit - lapit ng presensya Niya.

Pero hindi araw- araw ganun.

May days na tahimik.
May days na dry.
May days na kahit ngpe pray ka, parang walang nangyayari.

So what happens to your faith……
Kapag wala na yung feelings.

From a spiritual high….
Biglang reality check….

Because ang faith hindi na bi- built on emotion- - it’s revealed when emotions are gone.

This is where faith goes deeper.
This is where it becomes real.
This is faith beyond feelings.

S - Scripture
“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting”
Mark 9:29

O- Observation

Sa Mark 9, Makikita from Transfiguration—- yung moment na nakita ng disciples ang glory ni Jesus—— biglang bumaba sila sa reality ng brokenness: a demon - possessed boy, helpless parents, confused disciples.

Parang life natin. May moments tayo na sobrang lapit natin sa Lord—- church, worship, answered prayers.
Then suddenly, babalik ka sa “valley” —- problems, doubts, struggles.

Mapapansin din, kahit kasama ng disciples si Jesus. Hindi pa rin nila nagawa yung dapat nilang gawin.

Bakit?

Jesus’ response was simple but deep:
“This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting”

Hindi sa knowledge.
Hindi sa experience.
Kulang sa DEPENDENCE.

A- Application

Honestly, ang Dali ma excite sa “mountaintop moments” with God. —- yung highs

Pero the real test ng FAITH is not there.
Pag nasa valley— sa araw- araw, sa pagod, sa unanswered prayers.

Yung minsan akala natin kaya na natin kasi “matagal na tayo sa faith”
But this chapter reminds us:

Hindi lang sapat ang FAMILIARITY kay Jesus.
Kailangan pa rin ng INTIMACY with HIM.
DEPENDENCY sa Kanya.

Prayer is not just routine—— it’s relationship.
It’s admitting “Lord, hindi ko kaya ng wala Ka.”

Maybe yung valley hindi naman punishment
Maybe it’s an invitation—— to go deeper,
——to rely more,
——to come back to HIM
——-to come back to Jesus.

HEART CHECK:

📍Totoo ba—lumalapit lang ako kay God kapag kailangan ko Siya?

📍Am I chasing spiritual highs more than God Himself?

📍May mga areas ba ako na parang sinasabi ko, “Lord, ako na bahala dito”?

📍When God feels silent, do I still trust Him?

📍Do I pray because I want God… or because I want something from Him?

📍If mawala lahat ng “mountaintop moments,” will I still stay?

Suriin po natin ang ating mga puso.

P- Prayer

Lord, even when I don’t feel You, help me trust that You are still here.
Teach me to depend on You—not just in the highs, but even in the quiet and dry seasons.

Change my heart, Oh Lord.
Help me seek You more than the feelings.

In every season, I choose to stay.
Thank you Jesus. In Your powerful name I pray. 🙏
AMEN.

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PASTORA SHERLY - JCRC RIYADH

Mark 8: WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

📖 Scripture
Mark 8:27-30
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

🔎 Observation
Jesus starts with a question. He’s not confused about His identity, but He is compelling His disciples to confront theirs.

PUBLIC OPINION IS SHALLOW
People saw Jesus as a prophet, a reincarnated John, a moral teacher.
Close, but not the real point.

PERSONAL CONVICTION IS REQUIRED
Faith cannot be borrowed from the crowd.
Everyone has to answer for themselves.

PETER’S ANSWER IS RIGHT, BUT INCOMPLETE
He calls Jesus the Messiah, but later he rejects the idea of a suffering Messiah.
Knowing the title is not the same as understanding the mission.

✴️ Application
We can know a lot about Jesus and still not know Him.
The question is not “What do we believe about Jesus?” but “Who do we say He is in our lives?”

Today that means:
❇️ LET US STOP SETTLING FOR SECONDHAND FAITH
It is what do we believe, not what our parents, pastors, or friends believe.

❇️ LET OUR ANSWER SHAPE OUR CHOICES
If He’s truly our Christ, our Messiah, then He gets final say over our time, money, relationships, and plans.

❇️ LET US BE HONEST IF OUR ANSWER TODAY IS MESSY
The disciples got it right and still struggled to live it out.
Jesus meets us where we are and He will help us and reveal Himself to us if we allow Him.

💗 Reflection
1. Whose voice am I listening to?
The crowd called Jesus a prophet, Elijah, John the Baptist.
But who has shaped my view of Jesus lately?
Is it social media, culture, family, past hurt?

2. What does my life say my answer who Jesus is?
Peter said “You’re the Messiah” but still resisted a suffering Messiah.
If someone watched my schedule, spending, and reactions this week, what would they say I believe Jesus is?

3. What would change if I took Him seriously?
If Jesus is truly our Christ, He has authority.
What’s one decision, fear, or desire I’m holding back from Him right now?

Do we recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or just a good teacher, a friend, a helper, a prophet, messenger, or a genie whom we expect to grant our requests?

✝️ Believing Jesus as our Christ means having a genuine faith that has personally responded, not just repeating or following what others say.

✝️ Believing Jesus as our Christ means having a genuine faith that is personally surrendered, not just merely an intellectual belief.

It’s not enough to know what others say about Jesus.

What about you? Who do you say Jesus is?

🤲 Prayer
Jesus our Lord and Savior, we don’t want to just repeat what others say about You. Today we answer for ourselves - You are the Messiah, the Son of God. Forgive us Lord for the times we treat You like just a good teacher or just a helper or just a friend. We acknowledge You as our God and we allow you to be the Lord over our lives, and the Savior of our souls. Help our actions Lord, line up with what we claim to believe – believing that You Jesus is our Christ. Amen. 🙏

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

Mateo 28: "MAGALAK KAYO!"

 Mateo 28:9 RTPV05

[9] Ngunit sinalubong sila ni Jesus at sinabi, “Magalak kayo!” Lumapit sila sa kanya, hinawakan ang kanyang mga paa at sinamba siya. "MAGALAK KAYO!" Observation:

Ang dalawang salitang iyan ang nag stand out sa pagbabasa ko. I asked God for a message today na sakto sa nararamdaman ko. Kaya ng binasa ko ang last chapter in English ay naintindihan ko naman pero gusto ko pang maintindihan lalo kaya trinanslate ko sa Tagalog. At iyan ang nakuha kong mensahe. Tamang-tama. Kakatapos ko lang umiyak dahil nakuha ko na ang program namin sa graduation bukas. I have high hopes kase alam kong maganda naman ang performance ko academically. Nag e-excel ako sa klase. Pero nung binuklit ko ang pages sa mga may awards ay wala doon ang pangalan ko. Dinouble check ko, wala talaga. Tapos nakita ko dun ang mga pangalan ng varsity ng school na hindi nga pumapasok, hindi nga namin alam na kaklase namin dahil hindi namin nakikita sa klase, andun sa list ng mga mag ga-graduate at may mga awards pa. Nasa award list din ang dapat na hindi ga-graduate pero dahil Tita niya ang Dean ay nakasama sa ga-graduate at may tatlo pang awards. Habang yung mga katulad naming nag e-excel naman sa klase, kahit isang academic acknowledgement, wala. Kaya sa tricycle palang pauwi, tulala na ako. Umiiyak ako. I asked God, bakit Lord? Ginawa ko naman lahat. I did my best. Halos mapuyat na ako sa kakagawa ng mga school activities and other staffs, hindi man lang binigyan ng halaga? Pag uwi ko, diretso ako sa kwarto. Tiyaka ako nag breakdown. Excited na lahat for tomorrow habang ako hiyang-hiya dahil walang award ni isa. And then, after that, binasa ko na to. And Sabi ni Lord, MAGALAK KAYO! His resurrection means victory. Napagtagumpayan na ni Lord ang lahat. Kaya God is telling us right now, we are victorious too! Sa kabila ng hirap, sa kabila ng sakit na pinagdaanan niya, hindi siya umimik sa halip pinagpatuloy niya ang dapat na mangyare. At ngayo'y nag bunga na ang lahat ng ito. Sa kaniyang muling pagkabuhay at napagtagumpayan niya na Ang kamatayan at kasalanan. Ganun din tayo, sa kabila ng hirap at sakit na pinagdaanan natin ay victorious na tayo. Dinaig na ng Panginoon ang kalaban sa Krus. Dinaig na ng Panginoon ang problema, sakit, kahinaan, at disappoinment natin sa Krus. Matagumpay na tayo. And now, I am proud to say that napagtagumpayan ko na ang college. Salamat sa Panginoon! Kahit walang award sa school basta may reward sa langit. That's my goal! Alam ko proud sa akin si Lord. Glory be to God talaga. Application:

Sa kabila ng lahat ng pinagdadaanan natin, MAGALAK KAYO. Gusto ni Lord na huwag tayong malugmok sa problema, sa kasalanan, sa kahinaan, sa sakit, at sa kung ano pa Mang bagay na gawa ng kaaway. MAGALAK TAYO dahil may Diyos tayong buhay na handang tumulong sa atin. Na mahal na mahal tayo. May Diyos tayong makapangyarihan. Natutunan ko ngayon na huwag tayong mag seek ng acknowledgement sa tao dahil gagamitin yan ng kalaban laban sa atin. Instead, don't ask acknowledgement, acknowledge God instead. He sacrificed His life para maging victorious din tayo. Kaya mag diwang tayo! Praise God, nahimashamasan na ako sa emosyon ko kanina. Praise God because His word is alive. He is the word. He is alive! Amen! Prayer:

Hallelujah Father God, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Purihin ka Panginoon sapagkat Ikaw ay mapagmahal na Diyos. Salamat dahil personal mo kaming dinadaluhan ng tulong, ng comfort, at ng agad-agad na kagalingan. Salamat dahil naririnig mo Ang aming mga katanungan at agad-agad mong sinasagutan. Salamat Panginoon ko dahil pinaparamdam mo palagi na hindi kami nag-iisa. Salamat Panginoon ko dahil ga-graduate na ako bukas. A big achievement for me. You know what I've been through. And thank you for not giving up on me and my education. Thank you for financing my needs. Thank you for all the wisdoms and knowledge. Thank you Lord for fixing my heart and eyes na hindi dapat ako mag de-depend for academic validation. Especially, thank you for sacrificing your life to give us salvation. Thank you Lord. Patawarin mo po kami sa mga nagawa naming kasalanan, sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa. We're very sorry. Fix us Oh Lord. Thank you. Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Purihin ka Panginoon! In Jesus name I pray, Amen! ---------------------

ELDER MC - JCRC SORSOGON

Mark 7: God’s Command vs Human Tradition

 

Mark 7:6-9

God’s command vs Human tradition

“He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Mark 7:6-9 NKJV

Observations:
1. Jesus criticizes worship that looks sincere on the outside but lacks true devotion to God.

• May mga taong panlabas lamang ang pagsunod sa Diyos ngunit malayo naman ang puso.
• Hindi sapat ang ritwal kung walang tunay na pagsunod at pagmamahal sa Diyos

2. The Pharisees treated human traditions as equal to God’s commands.

•Ang “tradisyon ng tao” ay mga kaugaliang ginawa ng tao na itinuring nilang kasinghalaga o higit pa sa salita ng Diyos.
•Posibleng maging abala sa mga gawaing panrelihiyon ngunit nakakalimutan ang tunay na kalooban ng Diyos.

3.Jesus directly confronts hypocrisy

•He exposes how religious systems can appear righteous while actually resisting God.
He reveals that religious systems and institutions can look morally upright, spiritual, and devoted to God on the surface, yet still work against God’s true will.
• Hindi Siya natakot itama ang maling sistema at maling interpretasyon ng pananampalataya. Diretsahan si Jesus sa pagtutuwid

Application

1. Unahin ang salita ng Diyos kaysa tradisyon
• Mabuti ang tradisyon kung nakakatulong sa pananampalataya, pero hindi ito dapat pumalit sa utos ng Diyos. 

2. Suriin ang motibo ng pagsamba
• Ang tunay na pagsamba ay galing sa pusong tapat, hindi lamang sa panlabas na gawain.

3. Ang pagsunod ay dapat may puso
• Ayaw ng Diyos ng pormalidad lamang; nais Niya ang pusong may pananampalataya at pag-ibig

✅Mahalaga ang pagsusuri sa sarili dahil tinutulungan tayo nitong tapat na suriin ang ating mga iniisip, kilos, motibo, at kalagayang espirituwal.

• Tanungin ang sarili:
• May ginagawa ba akong tradisyon na mas pinapahalagahan ko kaysa utos ng Diyos?
• Tunay ba ang aking pagsamba o pakitang-tao lamang?

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Teach us to honor You not only with our lips, but with our actions, thoughts, and desires.
Help us value Your wisdom above human traditions and follow Your ways with humility and love. In Jesus name. Amen.

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ELDER SHIELA 

JCRC RIYADH

Mark 7: ANG KALINISAN NG PUSO

 

ANG KALINISAN NG PUSO

Scripture
Mark 7:15
Nothing that Enters one from outside can defile that person,
But the thing that come out from within are what defile.

👉 Ang isyu
V5. " at tatanungin siya ng mga faraseo at ng mga eskriba. bakit hindi Nagsisilakad ang iyong ang alagad ayon tradisyon ng mga matanda. Kundi nagsikain ng tinapay na hindi hinuhugasan ng mga kamay

👉 Ang mali
V6. Sumagot si Hesus. Mga mapagkunwari. Tama ang hula ni isaias tungkol sa inyo. Gaya ng nasulat: "ang mga tao ito ay nagpaparangal sa akin sa pamamagitan ng kanilang labi, ngunit ang kanilang mga puso ay malayo sa akin.

👉 Ang sagot
V20. At Sinabi nya, ang lumalabas sa tao ang nagpaparumi sa tao."

Observation

📍Mahalaga ang kalooban sa paggawa
📍Marapat na ang puso ay bukal
📍Mahalaga ang kalinisan ng puso
📍Marapat na malaman ang "defilement" o karumihan upang magbago

Nilinaw ng Panginoong Hesus na ang panlabas na ritwal o pagkain ay hindi nagpaparumi sa espirituwal ng kalagayan ng tao.

Ang tunay na kamalian ay nagmumula sa puso--- mga masamang kaisipan, masamang motibo at hangarin.

Ang Panginoong Hesus ay nagtuturo ng may kabanalan, katuwiran sa bawat tao at ang Kanyang mga biyaya ay para sa lahat ng tao. Kung tanggapin mo Sya na bilang Dios at tagapagligtas, malaya ka para gumawa ng kabutihan sa iyong Kapwa. Tanging kalooban lamang ng Dios ang kailangan upang ang mga gawa natin ay katanggap tanggap sa Kanya.

Application

❤️ Suriin ang puso
❤️ Bantayan ang salita at gawa
❤️ Huwag maging mapagkunwari
❤️ Humingi ng bagong puso

✅ 1. Guard your heart
Ang ating mga iniisip ang nagdidikta ng ating karakter. Huwag hayaang magtanim ng inggit, poot, o kasamaan sa ating puso.

✅ 2. Focus sa inner purity, hindi lang sa appearance
Huwag magkunwari na banal sa labas habang marumi ang kalooban. Mahalaga ang sinseridad sa pananampalataya.

Prayer
Panginoong Hesus, salamat sa pagtuturo mo na ang tunay na kilinisan ay wala sa panlabas na anyo kundi nasa puso. Patawarin nyo po kami sa mga pagkakataong mas inuna namin ang opinion ng ibang tao kaysa sa kahalagahan ng aming kalooban.

Nalalaman mo po ang bawat kaisipan at motibo ng aming puso. Linisin nyo po kami sa anumang masamang hangarin, inggit, poot o karumihan na nagpaparumi sa amign pagkatao.

Tulongan Nyo po kami na bantayan ang aming puso at punuin ito ng iyong pag ibig, katuwiran at kabanalan. Hayaan Nyo po na ang aming mga salita at gawa ay sumasalamin sa iyong kadalisayan.

Sa pangalan ng Panginoong Hesus, eto ang aming samu't dalangin. Amen 🙏

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Elder Kuya Dong
JCRC Riyadh

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

·        

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

Matthew 28: IT IS DONE: NOW GO!

 

IT IS DONE: NOW GO!

Scripture:Matthew 28:1-20

Key Verses:Matthew 28:18-19 TPT Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All authority of the universe has been given to me. Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Observation:

THE RESURRECTION IS A DECLARATION OF VICTORY. Now, there were two kinds of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection in this chapter:

(1)The first kind— after witnessing everything, they proclaimed it to others regardless of what they felt. Even with fear, they were not bothered. Their only goal was to declare Christ’s resurrection. Even when no one believed, they kept on proclaiming His resurrection.

(2)The other kind — after what they saw and experienced, they gave in to the bribe of the Pharisees. They stayed silent, and worse, they changed the story for a material reward that eventually fades and disappears.

Which am I? In my life, what am I being bribed with in exchange for my silence? Is it my job? A relationship? Money? My goals and dreams? Application:

The resurrection of Christ declared victory over death and sin and brings new life in me. After all I have seen and experienced by God’s given authority, I will uphold the Great Commission given to me, to us who believe and live in Jesus. I will not be silent. I will not be bought. I will go and make disciples. Prayer:

Lord Jesus, all authority in heaven and on earth is Yours. Thank You for the victory of the resurrection. Forgive me for the times I stayed silent because of fear, comfort, or compromise. Today, I choose to be a faithful witness. By Your authority, empower me to go, make disciples, and proclaim Your name wherever You send me. I will not trade Your truth for anything temporary. In Your name, Amen. ------------------ PASTORA CZAR - JCRC SORSOGON

Matthew 27 – Reflection on Christ’s Suffering and Salvation

 

Matthew 27 – Reflection on Christ’s Suffering and Salvation

1. Remorse and Repentance (Matthew 27:3–5)

In verses 3–5, Judas reacts after betraying Jesus with deep sorrow, a sorrow that eventually led him to take his own life.

●     A Question to Consider:
 This passage raises an important question: if Judas had truly repented, would he have been forgiven?

●     The Principle of Sin:
 Throughout Scripture, we see the clear principle that sin leads to death, but the gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23).

●     Remorse vs. Repentance:
 Judas experienced deep remorse for what he had done, but his sorrow did not lead him to true repentance.
 Remorse is the sorrow we feel after doing wrong, while repentance involves a genuine change of heart and mind that leads to turning away from sin.

●     The Danger of Despair:
 Because Judas did not repent, he was overwhelmed by guilt and despair.

●     Our Reflection:
 In many ways, we can also be like Judas when we betray Christ through our sins.
 When we fall, we have a choice: remain in remorse or pursue repentance.

●     A Call to Return:
 Repentance may begin with remorse, but remorse without transformation remains empty.
 Remorse alone can distance us from God, while repentance draws us closer to Him and leads us to seek His mercy and pursue a transformed life.
 Instead of allowing grief or guilt to consume us, we are called to seek restoration with those we have wronged and with the Lord who graciously receives those who return to Him.

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2. The Silent Lamb (Matthew 27:11–14)

In verses 11–14, Jesus stands before Pilate while many accusations are brought against Him, yet He chooses not to answer.

●     Fulfillment of Prophecy:
 This moment parallels and fulfills Isaiah 53:7:
 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth;
 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
 and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
 so He did not open His mouth.”

●     The Silent Sacrifice:
 In this scene, Jesus is revealed as the silent sacrificial Lamb.

●     Strength and Submission:
 Despite false accusations, He demonstrated strength and humble submission to the will of the Father.

●     Trust in God’s Justice:
 Jesus knew He was innocent, yet He remained silent, entrusting Himself to God who is the ultimate judge and vindicator.

●     Our Reflection:
 In the same way, believers may face accusations or misunderstanding because of their faith.
 We are called to remain steadfast, trusting that God sees the truth.
 Our faith rests not on human approval but on the justice and faithfulness of God.

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3. The Choice: Barabbas or Jesus (Matthew 27:15–26)

In verses 15–26, Pilate follows the custom of releasing a prisoner and presents the crowd with a choice between Barabbas and Jesus.

●     A Revealing Choice:
 Despite Jesus’ innocence, the crowd chooses Barabbas and demands that Jesus be crucified.

●     Human Nature:
 This moment reveals how easily human nature can be influenced and corrupted, even when the right choice seems clear.

●     Our Daily Decision:
 In many ways, we face similar choices in our own lives—between Barabbas, representing sin, and Jesus, who represents life.

●     The Struggle to Choose Right:
 The righteous choice is not always easy. Temptations, pressure, personal struggles, and worldly influences can lead us to choose what is easier rather than what is right.

●     Barabbas in Our Lives:
 There are many “Barabbas” in our lives—sins, attachments, or habits we refuse to release for the sake of following Christ.

●     Ignoring Warnings:
 Even when warnings are present, like In verse 19,  Pilate’s wife urging him to have nothing to do with “that righteous man,” people still choose wrongly.

●     The Cost of Pride:
 Often it is easier to convict the innocent than to Convict someone who reflects what/Who you are because it hurts our pride and our ego, because choosing righteousness requires humility and surrender.

●     Grace in Rejection:
 Yet even in this moment, the grace of Christ is revealed. While the crowd chose Barabbas, Jesus still chose the cross.

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4. The Suffering and Sacrifice of Christ

Matthew 27 reminds us of what Jesus had to endure for our salvation—rejection, mockery, crucifixion, death, and burial.

●     The Depth of His Suffering:
 Jesus was falsely accused, humiliated, and rejected by the very people He came to save.

●     Perfect Obedience:
 He willingly carried the cross, endured shame, and remained obedient to the will of the Father.

●     The Cost of Redemption:
 This chapter reveals the seriousness of sin and that redemption required a price only Christ could pay.

●     Hope Through His Death:
 Through His death, the veil was torn, signifying open access to God and reconciliation for all who believe.

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In Summary

Matthew 27 reminds us that salvation was not cheap or easy—it cost Jesus everything.
 It shows both the depth of human sin and the greater depth of God’s mercy.

It calls us to respond with gratitude, repentance, and faith, living lives that reflect the sacrifice He made for us.

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ELDER JERO – JCRC SORSOGON