Luke 5-12

41 But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Faith and action cannot be separated. Change heart. Change action. Change action. Change heart.

Luke 1-4

How do we respond to the promise of God? How do we stand in our time of seeking? Zechariah doubted, yet God was faithful. Mary was humble, and frightened, yet obeyed. Jesus, in His time of fasting had no mountintop experience and according to Luke was tempted the whole 40days; yet He held on to the word of God. In each case, God came through with a powerful answer. Thank God it rests on Him! Lets stand in faith!

Mark 13-16

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Fearless transcendence.

7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—

The good news is always personal. My Jesus died for my sins, and rose again to raise me up. And He gave Himself for you too.

Mark 9-12

1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

I want to see the kingdom of God present with power.

Mark 5-8

The demon possessed man, Jairus, the woman with the bleeding, all moved in action towards Jesus before they saw their miracle: even Jairus' dead daughter was told to take action, "Little girl I say to you, 'Arise!'".

8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—

To stop them relying on the arm of flesh, and compel them to be in faith?

46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

Night or day, in this busy season of ministry it seems Jesus took whatever opportunity He could get to be alone with His Father. I think this was the afternoon from the immediate context.

And as many as touched Him were made well.

Action!

whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Let us live to preach the gospel!

Mark 1-4

13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

The supernatural angelic experiences happened after Jesus had fasted: the fasting itself was dry wilderness and spiritual struggle. Breakthrough comes after travail, not before or during. Knowing this will give us tenacity.

the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel

Turn. Change. Believe. Because power is here to do it: that is the message!

31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Jesus takes her hand, encouraging faith action. It is rare that healings happened passively.

35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Grant this pattern to me too my Father!

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him,

Do we see and stop and act with compassion? Or without faith pass by?

19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Give money away and you break its stronghold.

“Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

It is only as we apply and use what we know that it becomes fruitful in our lives. Its the measure we use that counts, not just what we know.

Matthew 25-28

Matt 25: the Lord is coming back, will we found ready in His service?

26.39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Prayer changes us, not necessarily our cicumstances

Matthew 21-24

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Be ready. Know His voice. Obey His words.

Matthew 17-20

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

No reaping without sowing. No power without waiting on the Lord.

the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.