theprairieridge

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) the tax collector to follow him, and he declares an important truth about whom he came to save.

The prophets of Baal try to get their god's attention through their fervency and sacrifice, but Elijah knows that God's attention is already on him. Do we live as the Baal-worshippers or as followers of Jesus?

Christ's death and resurrection mean not only eternal salvation for the Christian, but also power for a transformed life.

What do you expect from Jesus? What are the things that you want him to do for you? Are they the things that he is offering to do? Are we looking for the right things from God?

What happens when we cast out the net, throw wide the doors of the kingdom, and people come?

Jesus, our Lord and example, spends time alone with God, the Father. Why? How does a life of prayer shape a person's life? How can I develop a life of prayer? Let's search the scriptures together.

Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and then a large crowd of people. Why did Jesus heal? Why didn't he heal the entire world? What does that tell us about our mission of mercy in the world?

Why did the apostles so easily decide to follow Jesus? What were they following him into. We discuss the idea of "Discipleship". What does it mean for someone today to be a "disciple" of Jesus?

Jesus identified with the nation of Israel in particular, and with all of humanity in general, to take upon himself all the punishment for the sins of the world. If he was willing to identify with us, we also must be willing to identify with him.

The three baptisms mentioned in the opening of Mark. Is water baptism one of the steps leading to salvation? What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and who receives it?

Mark begins his "gospel" by telling us that this is the beginning of the gospel. What exactly is "the gospel"? Mark's book? A type of music? Something else? Let's talk about what "the gospels" are and what "the gospel" is. This will help believers to live "gospel lives" and to be able to communicate the gospel of salvation to the lost.

God is looking for you to intercede for your family, friends, your country. He hears your prayers and works in response to them. See how God works in response to Elijah's prayer.

Elijah's miracle of food and water is taken away. Why does God seem to do this, to "give and take away?" Have you had an experience like this? How do we navigate those turbulent waters in faith?

Will the things you are seeking from God bring you closer to him?

The future and present work of faith in us.

In the New Year, how will you grow in your faith?

We read about God's judgment unfolding. Of particular interest is how people respond to this judgment. It gives us wisdom and something to reflect about as we share the gospel today.

God's judgment on the world and his salvation of his people. We Christians know this is true, but how should it affect how we live in the here and now?

How different would your life look if you were living with absolute confidence in God? Join us as we read about the open door that Jesus has set before us.

Is it alive? Is your life with Christ coasting on autopilot? Do you feel like you are only going through the motions of faith? God's message to the church of Sardis in Revelation 3 is for you, a message of hope and healing.

The message of Jesus for the church of Smyrna, and for us today.

Do you ever feel like you have so many things to do (even things to do for God) that you don't have time to spend with him? God's message to the church in Ephesus is also for you.