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PLEASING GOD

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him ." (Hebrews 11:5, 6).   It should be evident that the goal of every Christian is to please God, although many live as though it were God's sole task to please them.   If asked, however, they would still tell you that they wish to please Him.     Scripture tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith.   We are then presented with two truths which faith must embrace.   First, we must believe that God is - that He exists.   Secondly, we must believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.   Let's examine these two beliefs so that we can better understand what is necessary to ple...
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POURED OUT

"Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." (Matthew 26:13).   Two days before the Jewish Passover, Jesus and His disciples came to Bethany where Lazarus and his two sisters lived.   It was Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.   Jesus was invited to dine at the house of a man named Simon, who was a leper.   While there, a woman entered the room carrying an alabaster box that was filled with a very expensive ointment.   The box itself was very beautiful.   Alabaster was similar to onyx in appearance and must have been fashioned into a very attractive container to house such a precious ointment.   The cost of the ointment was equivalent to about $50.00 in today’s currency.   This would be an expensive possession today, but at that time it was a very valuable treasure.   It was certainly this woman’s greatest p...
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THE CUP OF THE LORD

In the tenth chapter of St. Mark, we read about Jesus leading His disciples to Jerusalem where He would face His final passion.   Starting at the 32 nd verse, we read, “And they [Jesus, along with His twelve Apostles] were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.  And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him…” (Mark 10:32).   Scripture tells us that Jesus’ Apostles were both “amazed” and “afraid” .   Why was this?   To begin with, we need to understand that the political climate had turned ugly against Jesus and against the things that He taught.   The Pharisees and the Sadducees, the two main religious factions of His time, along with the High Priest and the doctors of the Law, were clearly plotting to kill Jesus.   Jesus’ followers knew this very well.   They also knew that the seat of their power was at Jerusalem....
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