Claim OwnershipLittle Things With Amber Albee Swenson
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© 2020 Time of Grace Ministry
Description
Amber Albee Swenson, one of our Time of Grace writers and bloggers, will help you navigate through some of life’s challenges and struggles by using Scripture and her own experiences of being a mom, wife, speaker, teacher, and forgiven child of God ... Because in God's kingdom, the little things ARE the big things.
341 Episodes
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We finish Mark today by talking about the two men who put Jesus in the tomb, the resurrection, and the command Jesus gave his disciples and us when he went to heaven.
In Mark 15, we see Jesus enduring unspeakable torture. He remains quiet, willingly enduring the price for our sin. In this episode, we'll talk about mob mentality, silence as a choice, and remembering the extent of Jesus's humiliation as we deal with other people and even as we consider our own pet sins.
It's easy to say we would never do this or that, but usually we make those comments from a place of comfort. The disciples never imagined they would be in a place to run away from Jesus either. But when darkness fell and soldiers came, it was a different thing altogether. May God give us grace and help us give that same grace to others.
In this part of the book of Mark, we are just days away from Jesus's death. Jesus gives his disciples and us the important reminder that earthly things don't matter. One day they will all be gone. Jesus also warns us to be ready for the Last Day, because whether or not we live to see judgment day, our end will one day come. We'll talk about Mary, who anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume, and be reminded that having a heart of adoration toward Jesus is a beautiful thing, even if the people around us don't understand.
In the days prior to Jesus's arrest, the leaders confronted him in the temple courts. Their aim was to somehow catch Jesus in a trap. His aim was to uphold the law and, even as they came after him, to offer them grace.
Mark 11 brings us to Palm Sunday and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Was the adoration of the crowds legit, or did they just get caught up in the emotion of what was going on? We'll discuss why Jesus cursed a fig tree (?!) and the posture of our hearts when we pray. And we'll talk about boundaries and how much access we give the people around us.
In Mark 10, Jesus is annoyed by the disciples, the disciples are annoyed with one another, Jesus teaches about divorce and childlike faith, and he begins the path to the cross.
In Mark 9, we see a glimpse of God's glory, the importance of faith, and the constant need to be in the Word to stay on the right path. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
Jesus again feeds a multitude. Later he warns his disciples about the false religious ideologies of their day. The disciples fail a test that we too often fail: the opportunity to trust God to provide when we can't see the answers to the problems we face.
In Mark 7, Mark shows us the Pharisees' hypocrisy, the bold audacity of a gentile woman, and the healing of a deaf and mute man. We'll examine traditions, knowing God is doing something even if it isn't what we hoped, and choosing to see God's goodness every day.
With the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water, Jesus reminds us that our limitations are nothing for him. And these miracles remind us to stop and take note of the amazing things God does in our lives every day.
Mark 6 takes us to Nazareth where Jesus is amazed, but not in a good way. Jesus teaches his disciples and us to depend on him, not on the security we find in the world. Finally, we'll look at Herod's foolish promise that cost John the Baptist his life.Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
Mark 5 covers the account of Jesus healing a demonic man. What are the characteristics someone displays if they are possessed? What can we do to conquer the sins we struggle with? Later in chapter 5, Jesus goes with Jairus, a temple ruler. But first, he stops to console and comfort a woman who has been bleeding for 12 long years. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
The second part of Mark 4 brings us to this question: How are you going to shine for Christ? In addition, Jesus admonishes us to be careful what we listen to. We also get the encouragment that God is doing something every time we open the Bible and every time we share the Word with someone else. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
Mark chapter 4 takes us to the parable of the sower. In it we are reminded that we plant seeds as we tell people about God, but only God can produce faith. We'll talk about the pitfalls that Jesus talked about and how to produce the greatest crop in the kingdom of God. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
This episode finishes Mark 3 by taking a look at Jesus' disciples—a group most of us wouldn't have chosen. They weren't straight A students and didn't have the kind of careers we might find to be resume worthy. They certainly had their black marks. We also talk about family expectations and church hurt. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
Mark 3 takes us to the synagogue and to the Pharisees who were watching Jesus to find fault. Jesus became angry at their concern for their manmade laws while showing no concern for people who were suffering. Jesus withdrew, and as demon-possessed people came to be healed, Jesus wouldn't let them speak. In this episode we examine anger, withdrawing as a coping strategy, and when to speak up or not say anything, even if it's the truth! Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
Today's episode takes us to Mark chapter 2—to the healing of a paralytic man; the calling of Jesus' disciple Matthew; and lessons on fasting, legalism, and the Sabbath (day of rest). Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
This episode covers Mark 1:21-45. These few verses are packed full of miraculous healings by Jesus and Jesus' authoritative teaching. Also learn what gospel motivation is and witness Jesus' model for your prayer life.
Today's episode is about a man named John the Baptist and God's plan for him, Jesus' baptism and temptation, the meaning of the term "kingdom of God," and the calling of Jesus' first disciples. We'll also consider four things that Jesus went through—which we also will go through in our own faith journeys. Look for additional resources, including PDFs for discussion and additional study, on Amberalbeeswenson.org.
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Absolutely everything I needed this morning. God opened a door wide earlier this year, and even then, going thru has been scary. Thanks for the reminder to trust God in this transition.