Quote from Forum Archives on January 4, 2003, 8:09 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

The Year of the Bible (YOTB) project was initiated several years
ago with the idea of spreading the Gospel to as many people as
possible. I last shared a message with you about a new
beginning. It just so happens that the weekend reading from the
YOTB project starts near the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

Notice how everything Jesus did was in accordance with the
scriptures, even to fulfill them. Wouldn't it be wonderful if
the same could be said about us, even 10% of the time?

This is a powerful passage of scripture, just full of the essence
of what God is all about. My prayer is that you will not only
read it, but it will fill you completely with the mindset and
attitude of God, for God's Son really came to earth to show us
what God is like. May we not miss it when it's right in front of
us!

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
____________________________________________________________

Year of the Bible

January 4, Matthew 4.12-5.12

Jesus Begins His Work

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went to
Galilee. 13 But instead of staying in Nazareth, Jesus moved to
Capernaum. This town was beside Lake Galilee in the territory of
Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 So God's promise came true, just as the
prophet Isaiah had said, 15 "Listen, lands of Zebulun and Naphtali,
lands along the road to the sea and east of the Jordan! Listen
Galilee, land of the Gentiles! 16 Although your people live in
darkness, they will see a bright light. Although they live in the
shadow of death, a light will shine on them." 17 Then Jesus started
preaching, "Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be
here."

Jesus Chooses Four Fishermen

18 While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he
saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the
other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting
their net into the lake. 19 Jesus said to them, "Come with me! I
will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish." 20 Right
then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. 21
Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of
Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their
nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. 22 Right away they
left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.

Jesus Teaches, Preaches, and Heals

23 Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the Jewish meeting
places and preaching the good news about God's kingdom. He also
healed every kind of disease and sickness. 24 News about him
spread all over Syria, and people with every kind of sickness or
disease were brought to him. Some of them had a lot of demons in
them, others were thought to be crazy, and still others could not
walk. But Jesus healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed Jesus
from Galilee and the region around the ten cities known as
Decapolis. They also came from Jerusalem, Judea, and from across
the Jordan River.

The Sermon on the Mount

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain
and sat down.

Blessings

Jesus' disciples gathered around him, 2 and he taught them:

3 God blesses those people who depend only on him. They
belong to the kingdom of heaven!

4 God blesses those people who grieve. They will find
comfort.

5 God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will
belong to them!

6 God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to
eat or drink. They will be given what they want!

7 God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be
treated with mercy!

8 God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will
see him!

9 God blesses those people who make peace. They will be
called his children!

10 God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing
right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.

11 God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you,
and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.

12 Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in
heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who
lived long ago.

Scripture made available by the American Bible Society for the
Year of the Bible Project. These passages are from the
Contemporary English Version of the Bible.

- Year of the Bible,
www.gospelcom.net/yob/dated/see_today.shtml Hosted by
Gospel Communications Network, www.gospelcom.net/ Report
problems to webmaster@yob.org -

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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