From the desk of Pastor Edd

  25 - Leaving Samaria for Galilee [1]   (Luke 4:14-43; Matt 4:12-22; Mark 1:14-38, John 4:43-46a) After staying with the people in Sychar, they continued their journey back to Galilee. He did not believe that a prophet would have honor in his familiar surroundings, so He visited Cana, where He had turned the water into wine, and He was well received by the people who had witnessed Jesus’ acts at the recent feast they went to in Jerusalem.   More and more people heard about Him and the things He was doing. He moved His home from Nazareth to Capernaum which is a city near the sea, in the region of Israel called Zebulun and Naphtali. Isaiah predicted that this would happen: “The land of Zebulun and Naphtali have been treated with contempt, but that is about to change, and He will bring glory to the land, especially Galilee of the Gentiles. These people who have walked in darkness will see a light shine; brightness will glow in the midst of a dark land.” And from tha...

  23 - Ministry [1] in Judea [2]   John continued his work near Salim where he found plenty of water and the location was convenient for people to find him. John had not yet been put in prison. An argument arose between a Jew and John’s disciples about the rite of purification [3] . They brought the discussion to John and said, “The One you baptized in the Jordan is now baptizing as well and more people are going to him.” John said, “God is the One who grants things to us, we cannot make things happen on our own. You heard me say that I am not the Messiah, I am only someone sent to prepare the way for Him. That One is the Bridegroom, I am just a groomsman, and I rejoice that He is happy with His bride. I am quite happy fulfilling my role which now seems to be finished. His role is just beginning and mine will now diminish. He comes from heaven and greater than all, I am just from the earth and speak to you of earthly things, He is far more excellent than I. I am sad that peop...

  22- Nicodemus [1]   Nicodemus was a leader in Jerusalem, a Pharisee. He came to Jesus one night and said, “Teacher, we cannot deny that you have been sent by the hand of God to teach. The things you do, prove that God is with you.” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the kingdom of God cannot be seen by a person unless they have been born a second time.”    “How does an old man become born a second time?” Nicodemus asked. “I don’t know how one could enter into his mother’s womb again.” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, a person must be born both by water and by the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God. There are two births, one of the flesh and another of the Spirit. Do not be shocked that I tell you that you need to be born a second time. You know the wind goes wherever it pleases, you hear it but cannot tell where it came from and where it will end up. People born of the Spirit are the same.” Nicodemus, still not understanding, asked, “How does one...