Wrestling with Evil

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.

Ephesians 6:11-12

When wrestlers compete, they rely on both strength and strategy to overcome their opponent. Even before the match begins, a wrestler takes a moment to size up his opponent, looking for his opponent's potential vulnerabilities, while remaining fully aware of his own. The passage in Ephesians uses the image of a wrestling match to convey the ongoing struggle and preparation that standing strong against evil entails - and it reminds you to be sure that you are fighting the right opponent.

People may do evil things, but your battle is not with individuals. Your battle is with evil itself. The Ephesians were well-acquainted with principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness - different kinds of evil spirits. The society was heavily involved in sorcery and magic. Even those who chose not to follow God were aware there was some kind of spiritual battle going on behind the scenes of their everyday lives. Ephesians 6 provides readers with God's guidelines on how to effectively fight that battle.

Mixing metaphors between wrestling and fighting a battle, Ephesians 6 instructs you to cover yourself with God-given armor. This protective gear is described in more detail in subsequent verses, but it includes things such as truth, righteousness, God's Spirit, God's Word, and prayer. As you choose to don God's armor each day and remind yourself who your opponent really is, you'll find yourself well prepared to hold your ground against evil.

Being prepared to encounter evil and focusing on it are two different things. Stay focused on God. His Spirit will make you aware of any battles you need to face.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for his guidance and strength in your personal spiritual fight against evil. It is not flesh to flesh, fist to fist battle that we prepare for but a spiritual battle against the enemy. God's truths are the armor he has given us to protect us through the journey. Let us not take it lightly that we need to prepare daily through prayer and time with scripture to feed our body, mind and spirit with all the goodness God provides us. Let us not be spiritually starved or else the enemy will take away our victory. ~ MME Team

Character Under Pressure

We... have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Genuine diamonds are known for both their beauty and their strength. Though they begin as common carbon, constant pressure over an extended period of time creates something of rare value. The same is true for strength of character, which is just as rare and even more valuable. True character exhibits integrity through consistent moral excellence. Through the apostle Paul's words, God shares the secret of how this priceless character trait is developed. It takes place through an unexpected process - experiencing joy when you're suffering under pressure.

In several versions of the Bible, the word for suffering is translated "tribulations." This comes from the Latin word tribulum, which was taken from the name of a piece of farm equipment used during New Testament times. A tribulum was a heavy piece of timber with spikes in it that was drawn over newly picked grain. It separated the valuable grain form the worthless chaff. Tribulation, or suffering, does the same thing to your character. It sifts it, helping you sort out what's truly important in life from what's of little value.

As your character grows stronger, so does your hope. Experiencing firsthand how God can use difficult circumstances in a positive way solidifies your hope for the future as it strengthens your trust in him. This character-building process hones the resulting hope by persevering through difficulties. This is what allows you to find genuine joy, even in the middle of suffering.

A diamond has no choice in how it responds to pressue. You do. Choosing to focus on the hope that produces joy during hard times develops a character that's more like Jesus's own.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and thank Him for free will and his great love that provides us strength for the journey; as we live and grow under the pressure of this earthly world. We thank Him for free will for it is this freedom that provides opportunity for each of us to grown personally in our one-to-one relationship with God. It is this freedom that reveals how GOOD God really is. That He provides us freedom to stumble and even fall in the pressure of living life while never leaving our side. At times He even carries us through the most difficult of trials and tribulations. He never leaves us, He sees everything we do ... and He still loves us enough to forgive us and grow our heart of worship through every prayer we say and every repentance. We thank you, Lord, for you are the GREAT I AM and you give us the promise of HOPE. ~ MME Team

A Brand-New Beginning

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born again,  he cannot be in God's kingdom.

John 3:3

The people of Israel were much like people today. They were constantly seeking restoration. They wanted broken bodies whole. Broken relationships mended. Their broken nation restored to peace and prosperity. Their broken link to eternity reforged. Yet God did not settle for restoration. He sent Jesus to bring regeneration - a totally new life.

This new life is what Jesus was speaking about when he talked to Nicodemus, a Pharisee of rare character who was honestly seeking God's truth. At first Nicodemus misunderstood the whole concept, arguing that there was no possible way for a baby to reenter his mother's womb and be reborn. But the birth Jesus was speaking about was a spiritual rebirth, a radical reawakening to who you were created to be. The spiritual rebirth was a brand-new way of relating to life that is possible only through the gift of a totally new nature.

The "old" nature was focused on self. The "new" nature is focused on God. Like a newborn who is predisposed toward certain traits because of his DNA but nonetheless has to positively participate in the maturity you need to live a godly life. To mature in that life, you must choose to nurture your new nature. Nourish yourself with the Bible. Exercise your spiritual muscles by acting on what God asks you to do. Rest in God's promise that the past is gone and that you have been born again.

Use Jesus's words as a touchstone anytime you get discouraged about how long it takes to become spiritually mature. You have the right DNA. Adulthood is inevitable. It just take times to get there.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God to keep your eyes on the prize - the prize of eternal salvation. The process of spiritual maturity is a gift God has provided us on earth to condition us to what awaits us in heaven. Through each transformative trial and tribulation that we encounter God wants us to glorify Him in the process. He wants us to focus on pleasing Him more then ourselves. That means loving when it's unfair (when we are hurt). That means forgiving without regret (do not keep a score card) sure in the knowledge that God is in control and He will guide you through all turbulence that this earthly life might push towards you. Actions taken by a spiritual mature Christian heart will yield the peace and love on earth that which awaits us in heaven. ~ MME Team

Power Source

God said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Three times the apostle Paul asked God to remove what Paul referred to as a "thorn in the flesh." Some historians speculate that this physical problem was some kind of eye disease. Whatever ailment was troubling Paul, the writer of this letter believed it was interfering with what God wanted him to do. God saw things differently. God will not always answer your prayers in ways you expect. Instead of curing Paul, God answered Paul's prayers by telling him that all Paul needed was God's grace, that God's grace was enough. God may be answering some of your prayers in the very same way.

God did not give Paul a reason for the pain he was going through. However, he did give Paul a promise. God promised that the apostle's personal pain would not diminish Paul's impact on the world; rather, his pain would expand it. Having to depend more on God, and less on his own physical strength and abilities, allowed Paul's life to reveal God's power in a greater way.

Your own personal weakness may be physical, like Paul's. It may come from a lack of confidence in your abilities, a financial setback, or the breakup of a relationship. Whatever struggle you may be facing, God's promise is as true for you as it was for Paul. Your powerlessness to change a situation provides a unique opportunity for God to reveal himself in a more powerful way to you and to those around you.

When you feel that God isn't answering a heartfelt prayer, take a fresh look at the situation. Ask yourself how God's power is evident through your problem. Thank him for what you learn as you persevere.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give Him your hurt, disappointment, frustration, and all things that come from this earth that are not made by Him. Take comfort that our God is always available to listen to us and He does listen to every word we speak. Then take time to mediate over the words you have spoken and take peace in the knowledge that you have given it to God to battle. He is our leader in this spiritual war. He is the one and only Lord the Savior who has power to make all good happen for his glory and honor. "Answers" may not come to you as you expect but that is good; this means He is working on it. Many times we expect thunder and lighting as a form of being heard by God. But it is in the silence that he is doing the work. During this time He is growing our faith and strengthening our lighthouse so we do not get lost in darkness. ~ MME Team

Remember Me

As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26

Every time you take part in Communion at church, you are preaching a silent sermon. The message you are sharing proclaims the truth that Jesus willingly gave his body and his blood through death on a cross so you could spend eternity with him. It is a message that carries multiple emotions. Sorrow over Jesus's suffering. Joy over his resurrection. Gratitude for the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

The power of remembrance can become meaningless ritual if you allow your attentions to become automatic. That is when you cease to proclaim, or to make public, the message Jesus shared during his Last Supper. It was at that final meal with his disciples that Jesus first used bread and wine as symbols for his own sacrifice. It was there that he explained that his broken body and spilled blood sealed God's New Covenant with his followers. The Old Covenant that temporarily covered a person's sins through animal sacrifice was null and void. The New Covenant of absolute forgiveness was available to all.

Jesus asked his followers to keep on proclaiming this message until his return to earth. While verbal messages communicate to the masses, the silent sermon of verbal messages is actually one you preach to yourself. It is a consistent reminder to stay focused on the basics. You commune with Jesus by looking back at what he did. You look forward to when you'll meet face-to-face. You look within to see what needs to be changed or confessed because of what Jesus has done for you.

Different churches celebrate Communion in different ways. The how isn't as important as the why, and 1 Corinthians 11:26 clearly points you to the why. Keep it in mind every time you celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give thanks for the opportunity provided to experience Communion. Give thanks for the cross and for the ultimate sacrifice of his Son, Jesus, who came to save us all. ~ MME Team

What's in a Name?

God said to Moses, "I am who I am."

Exodus 3:14

To the people of Israel, a name was more than an identification for an individual. It was a statement about who that person was. When Moses (whose name means "taken from the water") met God for the first time via the burning bush, Moses wanted to know God's name. Moses wanted to know who God was. God's reply was "I am." Derived from the Hebrew verb to be, this name let Moses know that the One he was speaking to was unlike anyone else. God not only is, but he always was and always will be. God alone was never created, and he exists totally independent from anyone or anything else. "I am" is the one unchanging, eternal God.

The Jewish people considered God's name so holy that they refused to say it aloud for fear of using it in a way that dishonored him. In the New Testament, however, Jesus not only spoke God's name, but he also used it to refer to himself. The people listening immediately tried to stone Jesus. They knew God's words in Exodus. They understood that Jesus was calling himself God.

When God told Moses his name, God revealed the essence of who he is - and confirmed in advance that the same essence was in his Son. In the same way that God introduced himself to Moses, this verse introduces you to God. It assures you that the "I am" of the universes is active and involved in life here on earth.

Understanding God's eternal nature, and that Jesus is wholly God, gives you the same assurance it did Moses. "I am" is with you, steadfast and unchangeable.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give thanks for he is unchanging and eternal in all his ways. ~ MME Team

Intimately Known

You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.

Psalm 139:13-14

You were a planned pregnancy. You weren't a random egg that just happened to be fertilized by a random spermatozoon. You were - and are - a beloved child, wanted, planned for, and created with a specific purpose and place in this world long before you even entered it. Psalm 139 gives evidence to that fact and is an important touchstone to hold on to any time your self-worth begins to waver.

The Hebrew word created means much more than "made." It conveys the joy and pride that come from acquiring an exquisite handmade possession. You were made by an almighty hand with great thought and care. This process is described as "fearful" because of how indescribably awe-inspiring it is. Just thinking about this miracle is enough to bring you to your knees.

That's exactly what it did to David, the writer of this psalm. As David thought about the individual attention to detail God took in creating him, God's goodness and power overwhelmed him. His automatic response was to praise God for what he'd done. Consider the miracle of your own creation by considering David's words. Think about the intricacy of the inner workings of your body, your unique physical frame, and the specific personality traits that make you, you. Then do as David did. Thank God for who he created you to be and for the purpose he has for your life.

Your value isn't determined by your performance, your appearance, or your position in this world. Your value was determined the moment God put his love for you into action by knitting you together.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give thanks for he created you perfectly to be YOU. God knows your mind and body and He has created you with purpose. Take time today to pray to God and begin a conversation (if you have never done so before) to your best friend, Our Savior. Confess with your mouth all the care you need and also praise with your mouth all the good that God has done for you, and will do for you. For God listens to the prayers of His children. God is GOOD ALWAYS. ~ MME Team

Children at Heart

Jesus said, "The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.

Matthew 18:4

Jesus's disciples were waiting for a response. They had just asked Jesus an important question, one they sincerely wanted an answer to. It wasn't exactly spiritual in nature. It had to do with position and power. The disciples wanted to know who out of the twelve of them would be the greatest in God's kingdom. Jesus answered them by inviting a small child to sit on his lap. That child became an object lesson in how highly God values humility.

When it comes to power and position, children are at the bottom of the pecking order. They are dependent on others to fill almost every need. They are eager to learn, because they recognize their own ignorance and helplessness. They innocently believe everything they are told, and they share their love freely. Their goal isn't to be the best. Their goal is simply to be who they are. This is the kind of humble, authentic response that God desires from his own children.

Jesus's poignant words reveal that God's kingdom is vastly different from earthly kingdoms. In it, servants, not celebrities, are honored. Jesus came to earth to make it possible for God's heavenly kingdom to begin on earth. Take a lesson from the child in Jesus's lap. Go to God fully aware of your need and your dependence on him. That's the starting point for nurturing a childlike, humble heart.

It is good to want to do great things, but only for the right reason - to bring honor to God, not yourself. Let Jesus's words help you weigh your motives anytime you long to be praised.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God to give you a humble heart. To love like a child - with full dependency on the Lord's blessings for every breath, every thought, every movement you may take. Let your relationship with God be one of an interconnection held together like the strength of a bungee cord. Although the world may pull you down with intense force of gravity - God will catch you and bounce you back up to the safety of his presence every time. ~ MME Team

Praise Without End

I will praise you every day; I will praise you forever and ever. The Lord is great and worthy of our praise; no one can understand how great he is.

Psalm 145:2-3

Creation praises God. Angels praise God. Infants praise God. One day every knee will bow as the whole world praises God. Scripture is filled with examples of praise, especially throughout the book of Psalms. Every one of those verses has a lesson to teach about honoring the Lord of the universe. The specific portion of Psalm 145 is significant because it is like a mini-primer on praise. It tells the who, what, when, where, and why of giving God glory.

The who explains God is the One most worthy of your praise. He is so deserving that it is impossible to run out of reasons for praising him. You can praise God for his gifts, but praise is broader than thanksgiving. What praise does is honor God for who he is, not just what he does. By honoring God through your prayers and actions you bless him. giving him pleasure. This alone is a great reason why you should praise God (along with the fact he deserves it!). Praise benefits the one giving it, as well as the one receiving it. Praise cultivates contentment by helping you develop a right view of God and yourself.

As for when to praise God, Psalm 145 tells you that it is appropriate to praise God every day. The psalm says that you will praise God forever, which means your praises will reach beyond the borders of this earth right into your eternal home in heaven. That's a where that you can look forward to.

The Hebrew word for praising God means "to celebrate his perfections". Put what you've learned into practice by taking time to do that right now.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give him praise. Praise him during the good times, during the sad times, especially during the confusing and hurting times. We may not understand the events of our daily life but God does and if we praise him daily all events serve purpose to glorify God. ~ MME Team

The Competitive Edge

I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

1 Corinthians 9:27

The people of Corinth knew all about the self-discipline it takes to become a top athlete. Every two years, the city of Corinth held the Isthmian Games, similar to the Olympics in Athens. Potential athletes trained hard for ten months. If they didn't complete the training or if they broke the rules, they were disqualified from participating in the prestigious competition.

The apostle Paul wanted his readers to understand the same principle was true when it came to going the distance in life. He filled the ninth chapter of his letter to the Corinthians with boxing and running illustrations that allude to the Isthmian Games. But verse 27 lies at the heart of the passage. It explains why self-discipline is crucial for Christians. When God asks you to do something, you want to be spiritually up to the task. You don't want anything to get in the way of your success. That includes any bad habits, uncontrolled passions, or lazy attitudes. 

Through sheer self-effort, you can discipline your body for athletic competition. Disciplining your body and your soul for spiritual challenges is possible only with God's help. Ask God to show you if there is any area where your lack of self-control could interfere with what he wants you to do. Use Paul's words as an inspiration to gain better discipline in that area.

Like a star athlete who leaves fans disillusioned by acting inappropriately, a Christian who behaves inappropriately can turn others away from God. Let Paul's words remind you that undisciplined words or actions can have serious consequences.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for spiritual maturity, for discipline in the self through his will; not by your wants and desires. Our earthly wisdom is limited and will yield emotional outcomes when push comes to shove. God's wisdom is limitless and always yields love. Without a relationship with God we are subject to unnecessary hardship and sorrow. God created us to love and share love; even when it's not fair. We are not the JUDGE but He is. Let his wisdom and judgement guide your footsteps and actions. ~ MME Team

A Love That Never Fails

God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:16

When it comes to love, the Greek language is incredibly descriptive. It has four different words to distinguish between four kinds of love: the love of friends, familia love, sexual love, and unconditional love. This last kind of love, agape, is the one mentioned most frequently in the New Testament. It describes a love bestowed on those who are undeserving, in spite of the possibility of rejection or heart-break. Agape is so unique that, outside the Scriptures, it is found in only one ancient Greek text, where it describes parents' unshakable love for their only child.

God loves you like an only child. His love can't be earned or lost. He loves you simply because you are his. God is more than the source of agape. He is agape. His very essence, his nature, is love, given without obligation or expectation. He loves unconditionally because that is who he is.

Abide means "to dwell." When you invite God's Spirit to dwell in you, agape takes up residence. This gives you the ability to love others the same way God does, without condition. Whether you choose to use that ability is up to you. Unconditional love can lead to disappointment and sorrow. It led Jesus to the Cross, but that choice ultimately led to a victory that could not be gained in any other way. Allow Agape to help you love unconditionally. Others will catch a glimpse of God through you.

To share agape, you have to dwell in God and he in you. That kind of intimate relationship grows through spending time together in prayer and studying Scriptures.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God to reveal to you your true love; agape love for self and your neighbor even if it hurts.
God said to find him in the hurt, the disappointment, the unfairness of life. Not an easy direction to follow but when we submit to His will we will find victory in the doing. To God be the glory for happiness on earth as it is in heaven. ~ MME Team

Seize the Moment

Be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Life is filled with opportunities - and obstacles that can prevent you from grabbing hold of them. The secret to making the most of your life lies in making the most of your time.

The first three words hold the key: be very careful. In the original language, this admonition is much stronger and fuller than what sounds here like a mother's passing comment to her kids as they head outside. The words describe a way of living (or "walking," as the Bible often describes it) that is precise, accurate, and deliberate. It involves both forethought and a heightened sense of awareness. It's similar to the way you drive a car. You need to be constantly attentive, responding appropriately to the ever-changing situations you find yourself in. You swerve to avoid hazards, brake for pedestrians, and follow the rules of the road. Your skill, knowledge, and vigilance help you make wise decisions at a moment's notice.

To live wisely you need to do the same thing. You need to face each day spiritually alert. You need to recognize evil, so you can avoid it like a dangerous hazard in the road. At the same time,  you need to be on the lookout for opportunities to show love to others and to God - and to grab hold of them. The good news is that God is in the car with you. His Spirit will help guide your daily journey toward a life full of well-utilized opportunities.

When you start your car, recall the words from the book of Ephesians. They can be a reminder to keep your eyes open for opportunities to make a positive difference throughout your day.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and be very careful in how you live. ~ MME Team

DO SOMETHING CLUB

DO SOMETHING CLUB

The DO SOMETHING CLUB is a group created to share how families, friends and communities share God's message of Love to empower the little children to come closer to the kingdom of heaven. We are nurturing the next generation of disciples to continue where Jesus left off - to fore-fill the Great Commission.

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."

Matthew 28:19-20

WHAT YOU CAN DO! 

We are all called to be disciples - to follow Jesus. We can do mission's work aboard and locally at home. Share God's blessings. Please download and print this postcard as a gift and reminder that GOD is calling you to DO SOMETHING to build a heart of worship in the life of a child.

Post it at home in your child's room, in your kitchen, at your church youth room or anywhere children gather in your community. Post it on your facebook page or blog and link back to this website. Better yet, give it to a parent of a child personally to invite them to have a relationship with God and learn about Jesus. Use this postcard as an invitation to a family to worship at your church or even just to begin prayer at home. All actions of love yield good fruit.

When you do please take a  photo of what you did with it and share it here on our facebook group page (please ask permission from anyone who might be photographed to be published online and/or to use their real names). Pray to God and ask Him how He will direct your life to serve purpose to build his kingdom.

NOTE: Above were just some suggestions of what you can do. God has given us unimaginable creativity so I know you will come up with great ideas not mentioned here. When you do please share it on our facebook group page. Sharing God's blessings is how we follow Jesus. 

God bless ~ MME Team

A child's prayer postcard. A reminder of what God wants children TO DO. Print size is 5x7 inches.

The Never - Ending Story

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

John 3:16 has been nicknamed "the Little Gospel." That's because it condenses the message Jesus came to share into a single clear-cut sentence, answering one of the big questions every individual has to face: is there life after death? God's answer to that question is a resounding yes. That truly is "good news," which is what gospel literally means.

When you love someone, that love motivates you to give. The same is true with God. God loved the people of the world so deeply that he had to put that love into action. He did that by sending the very best gift he could ever give, a true part of himself - Jesus.

Before any gift can be enjoyed, it has to be accepted. People accept God's gift by accepting who Jesus is. That's what belief is all about. But God doesn't stop there. Accepting Jesus comes with an extra bonus gift. That gift is a life that never ends. That gift isn't something people have to wait and open later. Its reality isn't something people have to wait and open later. It's reality takes hold the moment people accept God's "good news" as a part of their lives. From that moment on, they experience a life that will not end with death but will continue beyond it as they grow ever closer to the One who loves them so deeply - and gave so much because of that love.

Consider a few of the countless ways God has shared his love with you. This generosity will extend from his life into the next. Take a few moments just to say thanks.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give thanks. Thank  you, Lord. Gracias mi Dios. ~ MME Team

Buried Treasure

In [Christ] all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept.

Colossians 2:3

In ancient Colossae, Gnosticism was all the rage. It was a religious cult that promised salvation through secret knowledge that was said to be delivered by angels. Even the group's name was derived from the Greek word for "knowledge," gnosis. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wanted the church to be able to discern what was false from what was true. Instead of seeking secret knowledge, Paul told people to seek Jesus - the source of knowledge itself.

Today people continue to seek the answer of life through intellectual pursuits, philosophical debate, and even angelic revelation. Yet what was true in Paul's day is still true today. Faith in Jesus is the only road to salvation and to the secrets of life. Faith comes from knowing God through personal experience, not intellectual pursuit. Any knowledge derived from that perfect source bonds people together in love, they do not pit themselves against one another to show off what they know. Knowing God encourages a state of mind that is peaceful and secure.

Yet this kind of knowledge isn't a treasure trove you acquire the moment you invite God into y our life. It is something that's revealed one gem at a time as you dig deeper into the Bible. Focus on Jesus. Get to know him intimately, with your whole being. You'll find knowledge that's practical, eternal and worth infinitely more than any doctoral degree.

When you act on what you've learned by focusing on Jesus, you demonstrate wisdom. The more you put wisdom to use, the wiser you become.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for a stronger will to seek Jesus in all things. In the good times and bad times - seek the source of knowledge that will lead you to peace and security of salvation. ~ MME Team

Follow Me

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."

Matthew 28:19-20

Discipleship is similar to an internship, where hands-on learning comes from closely following the experienced example of another. While on earth Jesus invited twelve disciples to follow him. For three years they ate with him. They listened and learned through his words and actions. When Jesus rose from the dead, only eleven remained. As Jesus prepared to return to heaven, he challenged those men to put into practice what they'd learned - by making more disciples.

Jesus's mission statement, often referred to as the Great Commission, is directed to everyone who responds to his call to follow him. In the Great Commission, Jesus outlined how his disciples should go and help others grow. First, he explained the scope of their task. In going to "all nations," Jesus assured his disciples that no place on earth was to be exempt from the scope of God's life-changing love.

Second, Jesus instructed his disciples to baptize and to teach. Baptism is a symbol of an inner rebirth that connects new believers with a community of Christians. Teaching budding disciples to focus on Jesus's teaching assured new believers that they would live under the freedom of grace.

Teaching and baptizing a new believer begin the transformation of a new believer into a disciple. However, discipleship is an ongoing process. As you help others mature spiritually, Jesus will bring you to maturity as well.

Helping others find out more about God is Jesus's command for everyone who follows him. Ask God how you can help others see him more clearly.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and give thanks for Jesus. His one and only Son, SON OF MAN, who delivered us from our sin and who we seek to glorify and honor for his unselfish love. Pray for strength in faith. A continued growth in personal maturity and a relationship with God. So we may leave a legacy of future disciples to follow HIM. ~ MME Team

Helping Hands, Healing Hearts

I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.

Matthew 25:40

Jesus's disciples questioned him about eternal life and the end of the world. Jesus answered their questions with a series of parables, concluding with one about a herd of sheep and goats for not meeting his needs: leaving him hungry, thirsty, naked, and lonely when he needed their help most. The sheep were commended for doing what the goats did not - and were surprised by their reward. They didn't remember serving the Son of Man. The words of Matthew 25:40 set the record straight. Any time people reach out to help one of God's children in need, they actually minister to God himself. 

This parable is a dialogue between Jesus and the nations of the world, not those who already followed him. That's why the sheep were so amazed. They didn't recognize Jesus or the significance of their actions. They weren't acting out of a desire for reward. They were simply living out God's image in their lives by exhibiting sacrificial love - without even recognizing what they were doing. That truth is why the sheep had a lesson to teach those who already knew God personally.

This parable assumes that those who follow God will be benevolent and that they will automatically treat others as they would treat Jesus. Experience teaches, however, that isn't always the case. When you notice someone in need, recall Jesus's parable. Be a sheep, not only saved, but motivated by God's love and grace.

The parable of the sheep and goats is a reminder of how eternally significant is every act of love. Allow it to help you to more clearly see Jesus in every person you meet.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for grace and mercy for YOU and YOUR HOUSE to serve the Lord; through helping hands to build his kingdom. ~ MME Team

Running to Win

One thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.

Philippians 3:13-14

When the apostle Paul said there is "one thing I always do," it is time to sit up and listen. Paul summarized his goal in life and shared a couple of quick tips on how to persevere toward reaching it. That makes his advice not only important, but extremely helpful to those with that same goal in mind.

Paul's images of "straining toward what is ahead" and "trying to reach the goal" paint a picture of a long-distance runner whose focus on the rewards of the finish line gives him the strength to persevere, one step at a time. The goal Paul pointed to is God's call to run toward a Jesus-centered life, leaving his self-centered life behind in the dust. The prize he longed to reach was not eternal life, because Jesus's death has already achieved that. Instead, Paul pursued a mature Christian life, one that yielded rewards both in heaven and on earth. 

Paul's purpose and process for perseverance provide practical applications you can use every day of your life. Put your past mistakes, victories, and self-reliance behind you. Focus your attention and energy on Jesus, not on those running the race alongside you. Keep moving forward - your endurance increases the harder and the farther you run. Keep the finish line in sight. It doesn't mark the end of your life; it marks the beginning of an eternity spent in the winner's circle with Jesus, the One who enables you to be victorious.

Persevering toward maturity in your faith takes both personal effort and the transforming power of God's Spirit. God works through you as you do his work.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for obedience over your mind and body to run the race he has laid out for you. Let us not get lost in our own self-reliance and/or abilities. Rely only on God's will and seek sustainability to worship him even in the times of pain and hurt. Our flesh is weak but our spirit is strong when we a-line our life's purpose with that of God's gifts.

Ever by Your Side

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascent into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:7-10

Like all the other psalms, Psalm 139 voices honest, human emotion in a vibrantly beautiful, truthful, and poetic way. In this one, the psalmist asked rhetorical questions. He was not expressing a desire to get away from God. Quite the contrary. He was emphasizing that if people who wholeheartedly try to escape God's presence have absolutely no possibility of doing it, it would be even more unlikely for a person who is actively drawing close to God to wind up separated from him.

In other words, God is with you everywhere - whether you want him to be or not. This truth is wonderful news for those who long for God. God is always right by your side. His Spirit transcends the limitations of physical space.

This means that you will experience God's presence in a different way than you would the presence of other people. God's Spirit is kind of like oxygen. Once you learn about God's Spirit, you know he is there by his positive effects. Even though you can't see him, hear him, or feel him, you know that as long as you're breathing, God's Spirit is present. God's Spirit is the oxygen that allows you to be fully alive spiritually. You can see God's Spirit move through answred prayer. You can hear his voice through words of Scripture. You can feel his touch through his gifts of comfort, peace, and joy.

Jesus is often referred to by the name Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Psalm 139 shows that God always has and always will be "with us."

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to the Lord and give thanks for the Spirit of God that flows around us, within us, always attentive to our needs and never hidden. Let us take daily time to pray; give thanks, and ask for forgiveness from sin so that the goodness of the Lord be respected, glorified and honored. ~ MME Team

When One Plus One Equals One

The scripture says, "So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body." That secret is very important - I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32

When God created woman, he could have fashioned her out of a clump of dirt, just like Adam. He chose instead to create Eve from Adam's side. One became two. Marriage unites the two back into one, while also providing the world with a living, breathing illustration of the relationship between Jesus and the church. No wonder God views marriage as sacred and Paul regarded it as a mysterious secret. 

Paul (who was never married) provided principles for a healthy marriage by simply reminding his audience to remember what marriage really is. It is more than a cultural or a legal commitment. It is a fusion that goes deeper than sexual relations. Marriage is a spiritual union of bodies, hearts, and lives. The Scripture Paul quoted goes back to the very first marriage between Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:24). It is also quoted by Jesus in the Gospels. When you find a Scripture repeated in several places in the Bible, that should alert you to the fact that something very important is being communicated.

Paul didn't stop with repeating God's original design for marriage. He added that this unique union mimics another unique love relationship, Jesus and the church. If you are looking for advice on how to have a good marriage, you need look no farther than how Jesus and the church were meant to relate, with sacrifice and servanthood.

Marriage is a perfect union between two imperfect people - and like everything else God created, marriage is intrinsically good. Don't study the world to see what marriage should be like. Instead, look at Paul's words.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God the Creator who made marriage - a union of two to become one. This goes against math/science logic; thus in trusting us that it is made by God. Faith in the Lord will provide strength in marriage during the times of tribulations of the world. Hold tight to God's promise and pray as one body; as the body of church waiting for her bridegroom, Jesus. ~ MME Team