Jo’s Place

These are the lyrics to the song written by: Paul Joseph Baloche  What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer ———————————————— Jesus tells us: “I love you… just as the Father loves Me… I love you! …so, remain in My love.  When you obey My commandments,  you remain in My love,  …just as I obey My Father’s commandments  and remain in His love.  I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, (so that) your joy will overflow!  …and this is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved ...

You can’t go home again. Jesus left (the region around the Sea Galilee) and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.  The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.  They asked, “Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”  Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.”  They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him.  Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in His own hometown and among his relatives and His own family.”  And because of their unbelief, He couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And he was amazed at their unbelief.  So… Jesus Sent Out the Twelve Disciples Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.  And He called His twelve discip...

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around Him on the shore.  Then, a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived.  When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet, pleading fervently with Him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please, come and lay Your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”  Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around Him.  A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.  She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.”  Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her...

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.  When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet Him.  This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain.  Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.  Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.  When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw Him, ran to meet Him, and bowed low before Him.  With a shriek, (the demon) screamed, “Why are You interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? …In the name of God, I beg You, don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”  Then Jesus demanded,  “What is your name?”  And (th...

Jesus Walks on Water  Immediately after (He fed about 5,000 men plus women and children), Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home.  After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.  Night fell while He was there (praying) alone.  Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.  (Then) about three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”  But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!”  Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”  “Yes, come,” Jesus said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the wat...

Jesus teaches about: Money and Possessions Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said,  “This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?  “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you.  Why do you have so little faith?  “…(so) don’t be concerned about what to eat and what ...

Always be full of joy in the Lord… because contentment and joy live together in Christ Jesus. As Paul tells us to do: I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you.  How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again.  I...