Biblical Literacy Podcast

Continuing his series: Finding the Old Testament in the Gospel of John, Mark takes us further into the first chapter, beyond the prologue (John 1:1-14), to the closing of John 20: 30-31. It states that the Gospel of John was written so that we may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and answers the question "Who is Jesus?". John writes to provide confirmation or proof of the answer. Listen as Mark presents the testimonies of three people, John the Baptist, Andrew, and Nathaniel, to answer this question as he closes John 1.

Mark continues the series: Reading the Old Testament Through the Gospel of John. This week, he concludes the prologue of John 1:1-18 with an emphasis on verses 15-18. John, the last living eye-witness to Jesus, writes in the present tense because Jesus is real to him. Jesus as light of the world outshines everyone else; He is the holy one of Israel. John's Gospel was written in Ephesus around the mid-60s using language taken from Paul in Ephesians 1 and 2. We learn that the greatness of the Word is based onwho the Word is—God. The greatness of God isn't only depicted thru His power and might; but also His love. Jesus is the expression of God’s love in a true love story. Listen to Mark share that all we need to see and emulate about God is found in Jesus.

Mark continued his series: Reading the Old Testament Through the Gospel of John. His teachings emphasis how John's writings show Old Testament roads lead to Jesus. The focus this week is John 1:9-14 of John’s prologue -The Incarnation of the Word. John communicates 1) Jesus as the true “light,” 2) Jesus the rejected “light,” and 3) Jesus as the Tabernacle. Listen to Mark point out the Old Testament Scripture passages that reflect John’s teachings about Jesus.

Mark continues his series on reading the Old Testament thru The Gospel of John. We learn how History is God's Tapestry, and He weaves it forward to show His character. Mark dissects John’s original Greek language to help our understanding of the message of John the Baptist. John the Baptist and Moses were both sent with a purpose. Mark shares how each life is like a thread with choice and purpose. “...we are active in God’s hands as he weaves through time to create the historythat will culminate in the coming of his kingdom at the right time and in the right manner."

Pastor David Fleming taught from the Gospel of John by beginning the class with a video titled "Who is Jesus?”. John 1:1 answers the question. Pastor David taught: You cannot be wrong about Jesus and be right with God. Jesus says this about Himself. God the son, Jesus, existed prior to preexistence. Pastor David shared the Word, Logos, has a deeper meaning in Greek. God speaks the Word into action. The words and actions of Jesus were the words and actions of God. Listen to Pastor David expound on the who Jesus is by focusing on God’s word as revealed in the Gospel of John. It's all about Jesus.

Mark began a new series on the Gospel of John with an overview. John wrote the Gospel because he wanted no one to have a doubt about Jesus’ identity. In Genesis, the Messiah is prophesied: from the off-spring of woman, masculine,and from the seed of Abraham, an Israelite. The prophecies continue throughout the Old Testament revealing the Messiah is coming, and He will have the words of God in His mouth. The question is who is the promised Messiah? John answers this in his Gospel.Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him, we may have life. (John 20:31) Mark further explains how all scriptural roads lead to Jesus. Of the four gospels, the first three are synoptic. The Gospel of John is different. Listen to Mark teach the history of John’s Gospel and insight into the writings

Is God of guilty of Fraud? Mark completes his series in Therole of Science and Faith. This week the focus is Science and Ethics.Science is a God-given Gift to Understand His Creation. Mark discusses stem cell research, cloning humans, mood altering drugs, antidepressants, artificial intelligence, animal testing,euthanasia, gene transfer DNA, andin vitro fertilization. When are these items right in God’s eyes? Listen to Mark provide guidance: read Scripture, seek counsel, understand science, examine motives, and apply God’s principle

Mark continues in his amazing series: Is God Guilty of Fraud? The topic for the past few Sundays has been: The Role of Science and Faith, and this week’s focus wraps up Creation or Evolution? The Bible is a revelation from God, beginning with Genesis 1:1. To interpret correctly, contextual reading is required with an understanding of the culture from the time it was written. Readers comprehend best by learning the historical connotation. Moses saw the world through his upbringing and education. God used ancient cosmology, but He gave an entirely different message. Listen to Mark expound on Egyptian culture, the Egyptian plagues and how the 10 commandments were a game changer against their culture.

Is God Guilty of Fraud? Mark began the lesson with a review and reminder there are issues within this world that need to be addressed according to a Christian worldview. Biblical faith and science are not in opposition. The Bible says the world makes sense (Genesis 1:1 - 3). God formed and filled His creation. Orderly and self-sustaining. Sensible and logical. God brings good out of evil, and that is our job too. We must read the Bible keeping in mind the cultural audience and context in which it was written. God’s concern was for the people to understand Him, not correct their views of cosmology. God used their cosmology for a heavenly message: there is one God who created the heavens and the earth. Listen to Mark read the story of creation from Mesopotamia comparing it to the Biblical account. Discover how this ancient accounting has no resemblance to the one true God.

Is God guilty of Fraud? God of Faith or God of Science? Mark focused on Scripture and Issues regarding creation vs. evolution. There are 2 major concerns for most people. 1 the integrity of scripture 2. Whether there’s a need for God. Listen as Mark shares 3 questions to organize our thoughts: 1. What is the cosmology with reference to how the ancients viewed the universe's structure? 2. What is the significance of the Hebrews words and language? 3. What is the message God was trying to convey then and how does it apply now? God was concerned of how Israel understood God, humanity, and other important matters and used the people's concepts of the universe’s structure at that time.

Pastor Brent Johnson, of Champion Forest Baptis tChurch, discusses in this lesson "Take Action Now". In each Biblical Literacy lesson, Mark Lanier concludes with"Take Action Now"-takeaway points that he ties to the lesson and scripture, thatwe canread and reflect upon in the up-coming week.In our busy livesthough,doing this is a challenge we all face.Listen as Brent outlinesfrom Deuteronomy 6,scripturalinstructionon howto take actionto help us study the Bible,andimprove our ability to live out our faith with family, friends, and at work or in the community.

Is God Guilty of Fraud: Part 16 -Science or Faith Part 5Mark opens this week’s lesson with the question: Does science conflict with faith? Faith is something that instructs us to use science to good ends, gives us a reason, purpose, and infuses us with morality. If Scripture and science seem to differ, keep digging. Embracing science increases our understanding of Scripture. On the question of creation or evolution, Mark lays out two major concerns for many people: 1) Do we believe in the integrity of God’s word? 2) Is there a need for God. Listen to Mark discuss the creation accounting in Genesis 1 through 2:3 as he addresses these additional questions: How literal do we take these verses? Fully literal or allegorical? Did God speak Hebrew when he spoke the world into existence? Did God make the world in 6, 24 hour literal days? Are there other ways to understand the creation story? Join Mark as he continues Is God Guilty of Fraud? (earlier lessons in this series are titled “The Greatness of God”) series with Part 4 of “God of Faith or God of Science.” Mark looks at the interplay between the biblical view of science and faith, and how the view we have of the world affects how we live day-to-day. This video is part of a series: Is God Guilty of Fraud? - Mark Lanier, a trial lawyer by trade, examines the truth of God’s greatness by examining His Curriculum Vitae (CV). In consecutive lessons, Mark uses God’s CV to understand who He is, what His greatness has to do with us, why God has done horrible things and allows evil, what is the truth of God’s greatness, does God’s CV indicate that he keeps His promises and does God’s CV include references that back up the claim to His greatness?

Mark continued with his teaching: The Role of Science and Faith. Mark reviewed the three opinions presented last week: science and faith are in (1) opposition (2) some overlap (3) co-existence. The biblical view is that science is a part of our faith, and it's God's tool for humanity to use toward good ends. Science is faith's physical tool for fighting the physical pain and difficulties of the fallen world. Sometimes science wins, and sometimes it doesn't. Listen to Markexplain the five reasons why science and faith co-exist Join Mark as he continues Is God Guilty of Fraud? (earlier lessons in this series are titled “The Greatness of God”) series with Part 3 of “God of Faith or God of Science.” Mark looks at the interplay between the biblical view of science and faith, and how the view we have of the world affects how we live day-to-day. This video is part of a series: Is God Guilty of Fraud? - Mark Lanier, a trial lawyer by trade, examines the truth of God’s greatness by examining His Curriculum Vitae (CV). In consecutive lessons, Mark uses God’s CV to understand who He is, what His greatness has to do with us, why God has done horrible things and allows evil, what is the truth of God’s greatness, does God’s CV indicate that he keeps His promises and does God’s CV include references that back up the claim to His greatness?

Join Mark as he continues Is God Guilty of Fraud? (earlier lessons in this series are titled “The Greatness of God”) series with Part 2 of “God of Faith or God of Science.” Mark looks at the interplay between the biblical view of science and faith, and how the view we have of the world affects how we live day-to-day. This video is part of a series: Is God Guilty of Fraud? - Mark Lanier, a trial lawyer by trade, examines the truth of God’s greatness by examining His Curriculum Vitae (CV). In consecutive lessons, Mark uses God’s CV to understand who He is, what His greatness has to do with us, why God has done horrible things and allows evil, what is the truth of God’s greatness, does God’s CV indicate that he keeps His promises and does God’s CV include references that back up the claim to His greatness?

In this lesson, Mark is joined by special guest Dr. Andrew Macintosh, Professor of Hebrew at Cambridge University and one of the foremost scholars of Hebrew and the Bible. Mark and Dr. Macintosh conduct a Hebrew lesson in the Old Testament using the Psalms. The English vocabulary has 50,000 to 60,000 words, compared to Hebrew which has only one word for every eight in English. The words have a full semantic range in the way they are applied to our language; it is not a one-to-one translation. Knowing this, Mark and Dr. Macintosh help us better understand the meaning behind the many body parts that are referenced in the Psalms.

Mark continues with the series: Is God Guilty of Fraud. This week’s lesson focused Science and Faith. In this part 1 lesson, Mark discusses the controversy of faith and science in an overview of the lessons to come. Many people think faith and science are competitive. What does the Bible teach about science? In the argument of creation or evolution, Mark explains that God is the uncreated. Science is our tool to combat the fallen world, and the proof is in Scripture. In the topic of faith and medicine, he refers to Matthew 8 in which several of Jesus's healings are recorded. Mark reviews the primary objections to mixing faith and medicine. If we do not have a biblical view of science, it’s difficult to find faith in God. Mark concludes that science is faith's physical tool for fighting the physical pain and difficulties of the fallen world. Faith and science are teammates.

Join Mark for Lesson 12 in “The Greatness of God” series as he concludes the “God of war? or, God of Peace?” segment. Using the Socratic Method, Mark pursues truth through four questions he poses for our consideration on the topic of Evil. What is evil? Why is evil in the World? Where is God in the midst of evil? What is the future of evil? This video is part of a series: The Greatness of God - Mark Lanier, a trial lawyer by trade, examines the truth of God’s greatness by examining His Curriculum Vitae (CV). In consecutive lessons, Mark uses God’s CV to understand who He is, what His greatness has to do with us, why God has done horrible things and allows evil, what is the truth of God’s greatness, does God’s CV indicate that he keeps His promises and does God’s CV include references that back up the claim to His greatness?

As the series has progressed the concept that God is good and great must be reconciled with his commands to put entire cities to death. The question is then more aptly stated, "Is God Guilty of Fraud?" As the series title morphs into this question, listen to final installment of Chapter 6: Is God Guilty of Fraud? War and Peace. Watch Mark Lanier attempt to answer the profound question, how can God sanction killing and still be a good God?

Mark continues with: Is God Guilty of Fraud? - An investigation into the foundations of our truths. This lesson is part 1 of a series discussing God and evil using example passages from the Old Testament and New Testament that appear to show a different God. Through the ages, people have asked how a loving God would allow so much misery? Is He a God of war or a God of peace? Scholars have debated a good God with the realization of evil. Three solutions are offered: altering scripture to fit our opinion of what we’d like Scripture to say; altering God to soften God to man’s anticipation of what God should be, which is heretic; or alter the way one reads scripture, contrasting different levels like literal, moral or allegorical. Listen to Mark expound on the ways scholars have viewed and interpreted God through the ages.

Mark continues with: Is God Guilty of Fraud? - An investigation into the foundations of our truths. A misrepresentation can be inducement to believe false or fraudulent information. Christianity offers a belief system that makes sense of the world and mankind. Mark shows us God is not guilty of Fraud. God came to earth through Jesus. God indwells through His Spirit. Listen to Mark teach about the reality of Jesus throughout scripture beginning in Genesis through the New Testament.

Brent Johnson taught the greatness of God - Examining Gods CV. This week’s lesson focuses on the reality of struggles. Genesis 32 shares when Jacob is destined to meet his twin brother Esau after the conflict between them. Before their meeting, Brent explained how Jacob wrestled with God’s messenger in the form of an angel or possibly Jesus. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, the father of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the struggles have continued. The older we get, struggles do not dissipate. All of life involves both physical and spiritual struggles. From those, we grow closer to God. Why did Israel struggle? Why do we struggle? What are the causes of struggle? Listen to Brent talk about the struggles of Jacob/Israel and all humanity.

Mark continued his class on The Greatness of God: Examining Gods CV. Mark began the lesson by explaining the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 with a look into the language and concepts of the ancient Mesopotamia area. Forever people have been looking for God. The tower was a ziggurat, a structure several stories high with a staircase to entice gods to come down to earth. The passage is written in the literary technique of that day - chiastic structure: using a ‘mirroring’ effect and placing the punch or point of the story in the middle. The morale of the passage is God is not our genie. Yet God does descend to earth. The existence of God is beyond man's understanding. God is above or superior to our understanding of the world. God is above or superior to nature God is supernatural God is transcendent God is immanent. Listen to Mark provide insights into the Tower of Babel accounting and what it means to us today.

Mark discusses the greatness of God by examining it like a taxonomy, which is the science of classifying things. By using this method we are looking at "what makes God, God?". Using this approach he discusses the questions, "who is He?", "what is He?", "why it makes a difference to us?", "how we know this?". As humans we tend to classify God by gender or as a super hero, and reduce Him to something we can understand, which makes Him nothing more than an idol. Join Mark as he uses this approach also drawing from scripture, to enhance our understanding of God and God's greatness, so we don't put limits on who He is.

Scott Riling taught on the topic: Favorite Three Attributes of God. Scott pointed out establishing three favorite attributes is difficult because God is good and perfect. The first attributive: God is Personal. He is the loving Father, the Great I Am. This is shown in Genesis 1:26. 3:7-9, Exodus 19:18-21, Numbers 11-26-29, and 1 Samuel 8-7-8. The second attribute: God is merciful. References are Deuteronomy 4:28-31, Luke 6:35-36, The third attribute: God is faithful as revealed in Deuteronomy 31:8. Listen to Scott share his passion for God through Scripture and life experiences.

Mark interviewed Professor Bruce Hindmarsh, the professor of spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, and Professor Dennis Danielson from Stanford University, who is one of the world’s leading Milton scholars. Mark posed a variety of questions: Personal love story and marriage advice. Their wives’ best traits. How their relationship with Christ began, and life experiences that grew their faith. Personal scholars’ disciplines. Favorite Christian figure. The problem with good and evil. Favorite hymn Book recommendation Where should Christians be going. Listen to the insight and humor from Mark, Dr. Hindmarsh, and Dr. Danielson.

Mark continued in his series: The Greatness of God: Examining God's CV. How do we merge God is love, God hates sin, and God is just? Sin incurs God’s wrath, a distortion of the truth of God’s nature, and He can’t live with sin. The answer is His substitionary atonement through Jesus Christ taking on our sin and paying the price. Listen to Mark explain the meaning of substitionary atonement

Mark continued with lesson 3 in The Greatness of God - Examine God's CV. He continues to discuss the question "Who is God?" and the traits we will find on God's CV. We know God is all-loving, but he is also a God who loves and hates, and we need to understand how these intersect. In Luke 6:27-36, God hopes we will enact love, and love with our enemies. Listen as Mark continues more of God's traits in that he is holy, true and moral, and he begins to correlate to sin.

Mark continued with lesson 2 in The Greatness of God—Examine God’s CV. Who is God? The answer is in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Part of God’s CV is His love. The Greek uses two types of love to show God’s persona as recorded in the New Testament: Phileo, someone or something we have affection for. Our God is all-loving. The second type of love is Agape, a love that is interested in our welfare of a decision made to care. Our God is all-caring. By exploring 1 Corinthians 13, we can better understand God’s love for us. Listen to Mark detail God’s love and describe other Greek definitions for the word.

Lesson Title: Chapter 1, Introducing God’s CV Join us as Mark Lanier introduces his new series, The Greatness of God: Examining God's CV. Mark kick's off this illuminating new series that carefully examines God's Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, like a lawyer might examine a witness. C.V.’s are a modern cultural invention, but that examine one’s qualifications and interests. One wishes the Bible had God’s C.V. but the Bible is not written that way. As central to my effort to write a book about the Greatness of God, I decided that I would begin writing a C.V. of God. The C.V. could never be exhaustive, for no man can fully comprehend God for who he is, much less all he has done. The C.V. couldn’t contain all of God’s accomplishments, if for no other reason than that one C.V. can’t hold all of history, which has unfolded under the divine hand of God. So my C.V. for God is one that sets out in brief form, some of the major accomplishments which are subject of this book. God’s CV would include that he is both a creator and a destroyer. How does this reconcile with His greatness? Added Bonus: tricks to compensate for time change

Mark hosts Dr. Peter Williams from Cambridge who, leads Tyndale House, place of scholarly study and ministry - TyndaleHouse.com. Peter has a passion for language and explains how enlightening it is to study the Bible in multiple languages. Peter also shares about his family, William Tyndale whom Tyndale House is named, and a project he’s directing for Museum of the Bible in D.C. He concludes in talking about the compelling research that went into his book CAN WE TRUST THE GOSPELS.

Mark taught devotions from the Life of Jesus about advent—Jesus is Coming. Are you ready? John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus - Luke 1:17. He's coming. The future has purposes, the past has meaning. Although God's ways can sometimes be perplexing - Luke 1:25-30, focus on watching for God’s hand in our lives - Luke 1:46-49. We are to be patient and trust in the outcome. Listen to Mark’s insights and how we are to boast of God's greatness and take joy even in lowliness.

Mark shares the differences of calendars and how we celebrate Advent of the church calendar, the four Sundays preceding Christmas. We learn how Advent looks forward to the arrival of Jesus in three ways: 1) His arrival in Bethlehem, 2) HIs arrival in our heart, and 3) His coming again. Learn more how the first candle of Advent reflects prophecy. Mark then expands on John 1 and Luke 1 encouraging us to consider how we are linked and what our purpose is in life that is God’s design. We must seek first His kingdom and righteousness trusting God’s methods for the future - not in fear, but faith.

Mark continued the series, Devotions from the Life of Jesus #16 with a focus on Jesus’s interaction with women. Much of the misinterpretation of how Jesus and other New Testament writers considered women is due to cultural barriers of ancient times vs. today. Jesus came to make a difference for all men and women. In Luke 10:38-42, we read about Mary and Martha. Jesus gave women a place in the classroom of biblical teachings. God’s word was not for men only. John 11:21-27 shows Martha understood Jesus' teachings. Matthew 21:14-16 raises the status of children, another cultural difference then vs. now. John 19:25-27 speaks about honoring our parents and those in our care. Luke 21:1-4 tells us about the widow’s sacrifice. Listen to Mark explain how Jesus honored women, and how we are to desire God’s substance in our lives.

Mark taught #15 in the series: Devotions from the Life of Jesus. Today’s devotions are themed around what Jesus said about worship. Mark explained the word “worship” comes from the Anglo-Saxon words meaning to “ascribe worth.” He expanded on these facets of worship: 1) Gratitude: Luke 17:11-19 teaches us that gratitude to God is worship and praise. 2) God-centered: Matthew 2:1-8 shows us true worship is centered on God. False worship is self-interested. 3) God-only: Matthew 4: 9-10 shows us our goal is to become like Jesus. True worship is God only. 4) Obedience: Matthew 7:6-7 teaches us that worship is obedience to God. 5) Reality: Revelation 5:11-14 emphasizes worship is rooted in the truth of who God is and what He's done. Listen to Mark detail and enlighten Scripture.

Devotions from the life of Jesus #14. Mark continued with his series showing how Jesus dealt with the interruptions or detours of life. Matthew 19:10 shows us that Jesus had time for children, the future of His kingdom. The disciples’ problem was not seeing an opportunity to practice Jesus' teachings. Luke 10:25 shows us who is our neighbor when life happenings disrupt our day, energies, money, and faith. Jesus said your neighbor is anyone in need. Matthew 9 is about needy people and how we can help them by having compassion. Matthew 12:9-15 deals with troublemakers, specifically those who opposed Jesus doing God’s work on the Sabbath. Real life isn't a straight road. Listen to Mark show us how Jesus’ instructions help us follow Him in obedience.

Mark continued Devotionals from the Life of Jesus #13 with a focus on Jesus teaching about the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit in one setting in John 14-16. Mark also looks at passages both before and after those teachings to see how Jesus' teaching of the Holy Spirit occurred.

Mark continued with his series: Devotionals from the Life of Jesus #12. This week focused on the sayings of Jesus from Revelation, as spoken to John on the Island of Patmos. The first topic is what Jesus had to say about fear in Revelation 1:17-19. What do you fear? Jesus is fighting for us and to help us overcome our fears. The second topic dealt with: Who is Jesus? Revelation 22:13 tells us Jesus is the great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega. The third topic dealt with the believer’s heart: Revelation 2:4 suggests the believer can slip into doing good works and abandon the most important characteristic: love of God. Listen to Mark passionately teach what Jesus said about fear, who He is, and the heart of serving God.

Mark shares how we can see ourselves in six of the stories of Jesus. Journey to: 1) Bethlehem - Our world is not at peace ...but we can have peace with God, 2) Capernaum - We are unclean, but we still need Jesus, 3) Caesarea Philippi - How does 1+1+1 = 1? , 4) Sea of Galilee - During the fears of life we need Jesus’s hand of help, 5) Gerasenes - Jesus touches us while we are a “Man of the Tombs”, and 6) Jerusalem - Jesus’s ‘favor’ of the cross as He took our sin and death.

Mark continued with #10 of Devotions from the Life of Jesus. Today’s lesson focused on the sometimes confusing "say-what” sayings from Jesus; those sayings that deal with us in various circumstances. 1. When we are off track: Mark 12:26-27. When we aren’t authentic: Matthew 12:33-34. When we should stop complaining: Matthew 11:16-19. And when Jesus was humorous: Matthew 16:24, Matthew 21:31, Luke 8:44-45, Matthew 7:3-5. Matthew 9:15-17, Matthew 19:24, and Matthew 23:23-24. Listen to Mark explain the Greek translation of Jesus' sayings to better understand the context of His words and make godly commitments.

The story of the woman at the well in John chapter 4, gives Mark a chance to understand Jesus' interaction with the woman and his instructions to her. He gives devotionals for everyday living from the the interactions with the woman. She represents each of us and our sins and how much God cares for us.

This week Mark shared 6 of his personal favorite devotions from his book Torah for Living Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance. Numbers 14:39 - To whom do you listen? Recognize the strength of council from those who faithfully follow God. Listen to God or to those who are faithful to God. Exodus 39:22-24 - God is in the details. Our detailed God has not forgotten about us. Genesis 38:7 - Nobody fools God. Let's be honest with God. Numbers 3:38- Who's guarding whom? God doesn't need our protection. Use deliberateness in approaching God. Genesis 7:24-8:1 - God is an action God. Pray For God to act in our lives. Deuteronomy 30:11-14 - The power of obedience. God's not playing hide and seek with us. Listen to Mark teach in depth of these 6 powerful Old Testament passages. #LanierBibleStudy #biblical-literacy #love #God #peace #Lanier #Christian #biblestudy

In Part 8 of the Devotionals in the Life of Christ series, Mark examines the phrase, "Jesus is Lord". As Christians the idea of Jesus being Lord is one of the earliest sayings of the Church. Join Mark as he takes a closer look at the vocabulary being used so as to better understand certain bible passages and the concepts behind them.

Mark continues Devotions from the Life of Jesus #7. Today’s lesson placed us on the prayer road, specifically what Jesus said about prayer. The first passage was from Mark 1:35 Mark points out that Jesus spoke on His own authority. In a second devotion, we learn how Jesus modeled quiet time with the Father. After a busy day, Jesus rose early and went to a desolate place to pray. In Luke 7:40, we find three layers of discovery: Jesus engages us, the backstory, and faith's road. Mark moved on to focusing on God in prayer and not ourselves. Listen to Mark add depth to the Scriptures while pointing out the important signs along the prayer road with Jesus.

Mark continues Devotionals from the Life of Christ using the Sermon on the Mount as a roadmap for living. Mark showed various stops based on the Scripture from Matthew 6. The first stop focuses on Jesus’ teachings about the Head and Heart, specifically the problem of the wandering heart. Where our heart is lies our treasure. The next stop on the road map was Jesus’ warning about what we see and the importance we place there. Mark’s next stop was Worry, and the dangers of not trusting God. The final stop was Persecution. Listen to Mark relay the incredible persecutions going on today against those who are believers

This week Mark continues with Part 5 of Devotionals from the Life of Christ in the Book of John. In John 1:4-5, we're told that in Christ there is life, and that life is a light for all mankind. Listen as Mark discusses that the natural structure of light is to shine, and overcome darkness. When we have darkness in box or a closed room, it can't stay that way once it encounters light. We are encouraged to seek His light more than anything in the world.

Mark continues with Part 4 of Devotionals fromcthe Life of Christ. Mark discusses the message of "truth as it appears in the gospels; specifically in the Book of John, where it appears twenty-five times. Truth, originally in the Hebrew, means "faithfulness", and as it was translated into the Greek it became "truth", also meaning "upright or "not false". We see that Jesus is the faithfulness, the promise God kept, which was introduced first in the Law with Moses. While the law is how we relate to God, God shows his grace and truth to us through Jesus Christ. Listen as Mark examines several passages in John where Jesus discusses truth.