HOW TO START A PRAYER GROUP

 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS

PRAYER GROUPS BEGIN

When 2 or more gather on a regular time and place.  We started in our neighborhood by meeting each Sunday at 6pm for a short prayer time.

UNINTERRUPTED PRAYER

We pray going around in a circle, giving each person a time to pray without being interrupted.  If someone doesn't want to pray they can pass allowing the next person to pray.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

The focus is different than your daily devotional prayers. This is time for your most important prayers with the group and praying for others throughout the world.  

PRAYER MEETING GROWS

When more people found out about the prayer meeting, we expanded our Prayer time to one hour.  Meetings will grow when GOD answers your prayers each week.

MOST HOMES CAN SEAT 8 to 10 PERSONS

After we reached a full house, we decided to rotate meeting locations. 

WORSHIP and  BIBLE 

We enjoy Worship and Bible reading at each meeting during our hour of prayer.

FOOD

Depending on the home, we can have a MEAL or SNACKS after the meeting.  

FUN FELLOWSHIP

After the meeting is over, each Home's Host may extend the fellowship with a card game or an inspiring movie.

CARPOOL  each week.  This will ease up the parking situation in each neighborhood.

LUKE 12:13-21 TAKE IT EASY, EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

 PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

JESUS HEARD A VOICE IN THE CROWD

"Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

AM I JUDGE OR THE EXECUTOR OF YOUR WILL?

“Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:13-15  Christian Standard Bible  (CSB)

JESUS SPOKE A PARABLE

"Then he told them a parable: 

“A rich man’s land was very productive.  He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops?  

"I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.  

Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

WHEN YOU DIE SOMEONE ELSE WILL GET YOUR THINGS

“That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”   

Luke 12:16-21  Christian Standard Bible  (CSB)

MARK 4:26-29 HOW DO SEEDS GROW?

 PARABLE OF THE SEED

MIRACLE OF THE SEED

"Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a man who plants seed in the ground."  

A FARMER PLANTS A SEED

"The seed begins to grow. It grows night and day. It doesn’t matter whether the man is sleeping or awake, the seed still grows. He doesn’t know how it happens.  

THE FARMER IS AMAZED THAT THE SEED  IS GROWING ALL BY ITSELF

Without any help the ground produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.  

THE SEED MATURES INTO GRAIN READY TO BE HARVESTED

When the grain is ready, the man cuts it. This is the harvest time.”   

Mark 4:26-29  Easy to Read Version  (ERV)

AS A BELIEVER IT IS UP TO US TO PLANT THE SEED; THE GOSPEL AND THE WORD OF GOD TO ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH.  

GOD MAKES EACH SEED GROW INTO A THRIVING PLANT.  AND IT IS HE WHO WORKS IN EACH PERSON WHO RECEIVES THE SEED.

LUKE 14:7-11 ARE YOU HUMBLE?

 PARABLE OF THE WEDDING RECEPTION

WHERE SHOULD I BE SEATED?

JESUS spoke a parable:

"Then he gave a little word of advice to the guests when he noticed how they were choosing the best seats.

“When you are invited to a wedding reception, don’t sit down in the best seat. 

It might happen that a more distinguished man than you has also been invited. Then your host might say,  ‘I am afraid you must give up your seat for this man.’ And then, with considerable embarrassment, you will have to sit in the humblest place. No, when you are invited, go and take your seat in an inconspicuous place, so that when your host comes in he may say to you, ‘Come on, my dear fellow, we have a much better seat than this for you.’ That is the way to be important in the eyes of all your fellow-guests! For everyone who makes himself important will become insignificant, while the man who makes himself insignificant will find himself important.”   

Luke 14:7-11  J B Phillips Translation  (Phillips)

"For everyone who EXALTS himself will be humbled, and he who HUMBLES himself will be exalted."  

Luke 14:11  New American Standard 95  (NASB)

MATTHEW 21:28-32 MATTHEW'S FAVORITE PARABLE?

 PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS

WILL YOU WORK IN THE VINEYARD?

“What do you think? A man had two sons. Now he came to the first and said, 

‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

“‘No, I don’t want to,’ he replied. 

But later he changed his mind and went.

“The father said the same thing to the other son, who replied, 

‘Yes, sir.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which one of these two did his father’s will?”

They said, “The first one.”

Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you.  

For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32   Common English Bible  CEB

Matthew was a former tax collector.  Was this his favorite parable?

1 JOHN 5:6-8 OMISSION OR ADDITION?

 BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

THE SPIRIT, WATER AND BLOOD

There is a VARIANT in Bibles, whether or whether not these words written in RED below, should be included in John's letter.  

These words are not found in early manuscripts, and many believe that this could have been a footnote written in the side margin of some manuscripts and later added to the main body of the text.  

Other people believe that this is a key verse of the TRINITY, and was part of the original text of 1 John.  Why would anyone remove the Trinity from the Bible?

Examine the passage and let the Bible speak for itself.

PASSAGE WITH THE ADDITION

6. This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

7. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 

8. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

1 John 5:6-8  New King James Version  (NKJV)

PASSAGE WITH THE OMISSION

6. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 

7. For there are three that testify: 

8. the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

1 John 5:6-8  New International Version  (NIV)

LET'S LOOK AT THE CONTEXT

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father.  By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. 

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

"This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 

For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." 

1 John 5:6-8  New American Standard 95  (NASB)

WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT

“When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me.  You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 15:26-27  New American Standard  (NASB)

WITNESS OF THE ONE WHO CAME BY WATER 

"The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, after me comes a man who went before me, because he was before me.  And I did not know him. But in order that he should be declared to Israel, I have come baptizing with water.

And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and rest upon him.  And I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain still on him, the same is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  And I saw and bore witness that this is the Son of God.   John 1:29-34  New Matthew Bible  (NMB)

WITNESS OF THE WATER AND THE BLOOD

"When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead.  But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.  He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken.  Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.

John 19:33-37  Christian Standard Version  (CSV)

All of these passages are written by John.  

The context points to the witness and testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  John is pointing out to three witnesses that proves his point.   

Whether you believe this is an omission or addition to your Bible translation; the doctrine of the Trinity hasn't changed. 

Keep the Bible you love to read and worship God.

ISAIAH 35:6 ~ THEN THE LAME WILL LEAP LIKE A DEER

 STRANGEST THINGS IN THE BIBLE

JERUSALEM

Peter and John were prayer warriors going to the Temple, for the 3pm time of sacrifice.

"Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour." 

A lame man being carried was put by the Gate Beautiful, known as the Eastern Gate; so that he could ask for alms.

"And a certain man being lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they were putting daily at the gate of the temple being called “Beautiful”, that he might be asking-for alms from the ones coming into the temple— who, having seen Peter and John being about to go into the temple, was asking to receive alms."

Peter and John looked at the lame man.  He expected to receive some money.

"And Peter, along with John, having looked-intently at him, said, “Look at us!  And the one was fixing-his-attention-on them, expecting to receive something from them. 

And Peter said, “There is no silver and gold with me. But what I have, this I give to you— in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, arise and walk”. 

Instead of Peter giving a hand out; he gave a reaching hand.

"And having seized him by the right hand, he raised him. And at once his feet and ankles were made-strong."

Luke a physician who wrote the book of ACTS, mentioned the details of the feet and ankles being healed.

"And leaping-up, he stood and was walking-around. And he entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God."

And all the people saw him walking and praising God."

ACTS 3:1-9  Disciples' Literal New Testament  (DLNT)

" The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing! Springs will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert."  

Isaiah 35: 6  The Living Bible  (TLB)

"And they were recognizing him— that he was the one sitting for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and astonishment at the thing having happened to him."

ACTS 3:10  Disciples' Literal New Testament  (DLNT)

Peter and John, the disciples who had a foot race to the empty tomb on Resurrection Sunday, had strong faith in Jesus Christ, believing God is the healer.

PETER'S FISHING STORY

 STRANGEST THINGS OF THE BIBLE

CAPERNAUM

Peter's home is close to the synagogue in Capernaum, where men approached him collecting the annual Temple Tax.  A modern church is built over his historic home.

"When they came to Capernaum, those who collected tax money came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the tax?”

Temple Tax was a free will offering, collected during Spring and Rabbis (teachers) were not required to pay this tax.  The tax per person was a half shekel or two drachmas.

He said, “Yes.” 

And when he came home, Jesus stopped him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? 

From whom do the kings of the earth take custom or taxes? From their own sons or from strangers?”

Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.  

However, lest we offend them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. And when you open its mouth, you will find a coin. Take it and give it to them for you and Me.”

Matthew 17:24-27  Modern English Version  MEV

Peter found a shekel in the mouth of the fish and paid the men for both Jesus and himself.  

What bait did Peter use on his hook?  Is this one of Matthew (the tax collector's) favorite stories?

ARE THE MISSING VERSES OF MARK 16:9-20 FOUND?

GARDEN TOMB

1. "And when the Sabbath passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 

2. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.  

3. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 

4. And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was very large. 

5. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 

6. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, the place where they laid Him.  

7. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” 

8. And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment were gripping them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

Mark 16:1-9  Legacy Standard Bible  (LSB)

ARE THESE MARK'S MISSING VERSES?

9.  And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 

10. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

11. Now while they were on their way, some of the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 

12. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 

13. and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were asleep.’ 

14. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble.” 

15. And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day. 

16. But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. 

17. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 

18. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 

19. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

20. teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:9-20  New American Standard Bible  NASB

Did Peter and Mark use Matthew's Gospel to write the Gospel of Mark?   

Let's compare the first verses in Mark 16 to the first verses in Matthew 28.

MATTHEW 28:1  Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb.

MARK 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 

MATTHEW 28:2  And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

MARK 16:2  Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

MATTHEW 28:3  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

MARK 16:3  And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 

MATTHEW 28:4  The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.

MARK 16:4  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 

MATTHEW 28:5  And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

MARK 16:5  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 

MATTHEW 28:6  He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

MARK 16:6  But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

MATTHEW 28:7  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

MARK 16:7  But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 

MATTHEW 28:8  And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples.

MARK 16:8  So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-8  New Kings James Version 

Is it possible that Peter and Mark used Matthew's Gospel, writing the Gospel of Mark, in the voice of a fisherman?

The New American Standard Bible contains both the long and the short additions of Mark 16:9-20 in brackets; because these verses were not found in early manuscripts.

Nothing is lost by keeping your Bible translation the way it's written.

But if Matthew 28 is similar to the lost verses in Mark 16, God has a unique way of preserving His Word.

WHY IS MATTHEW 24:36 A DIFFICULT VERSE OR OMISSION?

 BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY NOR THE HOUR

In Matthew 24:36, many Bible manuscripts have the words, "Nor the Son," omitted from this verse.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."  

Matthew 24: 36  King James Version  KJV

But in the parallel passage it's found in Mark 13:32.

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."  

Mark 13: 32  King James Version  KJV

It is a VARIANT in manuscripts, where some include and some omit the words, "Nor the Son."  The evidence of Mark 13:32, weighs in favor of including the words.

"But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be--not even the angels.  No, nor even God's Son.  Only the Father knows."  

Matthew 24:36  Living Bible  (TLB)

Some people make this a DIFFICULT verse to understand; instead of reading it simply in the context of the passage.  And perhaps that is why a scribe may have made an omission; because it was too hard to understand. "Why doesn't the SON know this?"

This is a favorite verse for Religions to use to make you question whether God has a son, and Jesus is God.  Saying...

"Do you believe God is omniscient and all knowing? If Jesus is God, than why doesn't he know the day or hour?

First of all, to allow someone who has never read or studied the Bible to take one verse out of context is ridiculous.  

I would tell him my answer to his question is found in this New Testament verse.   Found in "2 Timothy 2:23." 

"But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife."  2 Timothy 2:23  Modern English Version  (MEV)

If you have to continue talking to the person there are many verses in the Bible proving that Jesus is God.  He is Emmanuel, "God With Us."  He is the "I am."  He is the "Word made flesh."  Jesus is the "Only begotten God."  The Father and he are one."

Who can raise the dead, cleanse lepers, walk on water and heal the blind?

Also, looking at the context Matthew 24:36, Jesus sure knows a lot of what is going to happen in the future, and illustrates with parables.  These are things only God knows.

If the person arguing would just simply read the verse for what it's saying.

“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."

Matthew 24:36  New American Standard Bible  NASB

If Jesus wasn't God's Son:

Why would he say, Nor the Son, if God didn't have a Son?

Then how would he know this personal information of the FATHER?

Is not the Father allowed to be a free thinker? Is He not allowed to keep the day and the hour a MYSTERY; keeping it secret from the SON and every ANGEL in the entire Universe?  

WHY IS MARK 9:44 & 46 MISSING IN SOME BIBLES?

 BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

What the Hell is going on here?

What's UP?  Why do some Bible Translations omit two verses in the Gospel of Mark? 

Early Bible Manuscripts did not have numbered chapters and numbered verses.  It wasn't until the 1560 Geneva Bible, that a man named Robert Stephanus added numbers to the Bible.

The Mark passage is a VARIANT reading where some Bible manuscripts have added these two verses and other manuscripts are without.  

Some modern translations of the Bible put these verses in (brackets), to make the reader aware that these were most likely added later by scribes or another author.

Let's examine the two verses in question:

44 "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out."  Geneva Bible (GNV)

46 "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out."  Geneva Bible (GNV)

Critics of New Translations say, you're removing the warning of Hell out of the Bible.  But all New Testament translations include Mark 9:48

48 "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."  King James Version (KJV)

Now let us read the entire passage with these verses included. 

“And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.  And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, [and where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.]  And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [and where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.]  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

“For everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  

MARK 9: 42-50  Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

Now let us read the entire passage without these verses being added.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea.  And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life without a foot, than, having your two feet, to be thrown into hell. And if your eye is causing you to sin, throw it away; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell,  where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished.  For everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  

MARK 9: 42-50  New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Could it be that a scribe wanted to drive the point that Hell is a horrible place by repeating the phrase, 'where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished."

No major doctrine is lost or gained by this variant reading of the Bible.