Understanding Heart Defilement: Jesus' Teachings in Mark 7:20

 Greg Black

Good Thursday, August 27th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.  

DAILY PRAYER: 

Father, I’m so grateful you removed my filth. Amen

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. Mark 7:20

Friends, 

The heart of man is evil, and can only be cleansed by Jesus, so what are we waiting for…, ask Him, sit and talk with Him, begin a relationship 

Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus explains that a man's heart is filthy by what comes out through our thoughts, motives, words, and imaginations, as Sin is conceived in the human heart, it takes root in the human mind, and is finally put into practice through human action. 

Church,

We too are to walk the walk that Jesus walked, as Jesus Himself refused to participate in the unscriptural traditions, yet we defile ourselves by participating in ungodly ways of the world. 

Disciples,

We are to be careful not to become entangled in traditions of man, and only do the things that bring glory to Jesus. 

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen

Daily Prayer and Reflection: Overcoming Unbelief and Embracing Faith

 Greg Black

Good Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Carry out a powerful work in my life, I pray, Father, and use me for the furtherance of the Gospel, Amen

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

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. Mark 6:5

Friends, 

Brothers and Sisters, I’m writing this morning's message for our brother Greg Carpenter; his father was taken off life support, and our brother is struggling, so please keep him in your prayers. 

Sadly, friends, in Nazareth it was not faith that was expressed by the vast majority, but unbelief.

Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus knew that performing miracles among this rebellious, unbelieving crowd would not cause them to believe in Him, but rather harden their heart even more. 

Church,

Peter reminds us in his letters that Jesus in His grace, knows how to deliver the godly in their trials, while reserving the ungodly to the day of judgment. Amen, we have a Father of justice.

Disciples,

Unbelief is a choice of man's free will, and the events at Nazareth are a reminder, friends, of the devastating effect of established prejudice, religiosity, legalism, and carnality. Friends, Jesus will not force Himself on anyone who is unwilling to see the truth, hear the truth, know the truth, and believe the truth, but brothers, His arms are ever open to all who will believe on His name.

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen

"Go Home and Tell: Sharing the Mercy Jesus Has Shown You"

 

Greg Black

Good Tuesday, August 25th 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

I’m willing to go where You send me, and testify of Your name, and Father, I know You will be with me, Amen

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19

Friends, 

This man was to tell people in his home and town what Jesus had done for him. Are we telling people about the mercy Jesus has had for us…

Brothers and Sisters,

There is no one who has strayed so far that they cannot be rescued, friends, yet so many people think they can’t be saved due to how filthy their sins are. 

Church,

There is no one whose life is so ruined or heart so broken; all we need to do is TRUST Jesus. 

Disciples,

I pray you are willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads, and go where He sends you. I pray you will tell people where you live, what an awesome Father you have, and exchange numbers to follow up. 

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen

Getting Close to Jesus: A Deeper Faith Beyond Surface-Level Hearing

 Ryan Taylor

Good Monday, August 24, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER:

Father, thank You for giving us Your Word and for patiently teaching us truth. Give us hearts that desire to know You deeper, ears that are willing to listen, and lives that are ready to obey. Help us not simply hear Your Word, but seek You and allow Your truth to change how we live. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TODAY'S MESSAGE:

“He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.”— Mark 4:34 (CSB)

Friends,

Jesus often taught the crowds through parables, but His disciples went deeper. They stayed close to Him, listened, asked questions, and received greater understanding.

There is a difference between hearing Jesus and following Jesus closely enough to learn from Him.

Brothers and Sisters,

“Privately...he explained everything to his own disciples.” Jesus desires disciples who want more than a surface-level faith. Spend time alone with Jesus. Study His Word instead of merely reading it. Ask God for wisdom and understanding. Obey what He reveals to you.

Church,

Crowds can hear the message, but disciples pursue the Teacher. Don't settle for knowing about Jesus when you have been invited to know Jesus personally. The deeper our relationship with Christ becomes, the more His Word begins shaping our thinking, decisions, priorities, and actions.

Disciples,

Don't be satisfied standing in the crowd.

Get close to Jesus.

Open His Word.

Listen to His voice.

Seek understanding.

Then live what He teaches you.

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest.....

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

 Greg Carpenter

Good August 21st, 2026 to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Mark 1:1 KJV

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;.”

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends, 

Friends, everything begins with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Let’s keep Jesus at the center of our friendships, encourage one another in faith, and share His love and Gospel with those around us.

Brothers and Sisters,

Our faith begins with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Let us keep Him at the center of our lives, encourage one another, walk together in faith, and share the good news of Jesus wherever we go.

Church,

The Church must always begin with Jesus Christ. He is not just part of our message—He is the message. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, follow His example, love one another, and point people to the Son of God.

Disciples,

Our journey begins with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As disciples, we are called to follow Him, learn from Him, live for Him, and share His Gospel with others.

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join Greg Carpenter and the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen 

Open the eyes of many

 Greg Black

Good Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER:

Give me grace to stand firm in the truth of the gospel and open the eyes of many who remain deceived to the truth, Amen

TODAY’S MESSAGE:

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. Matthew 26:59

Friends,

“Destroy this Temple," had been His challenge to the religious leaders, "and in three days I will raise it up. Kill this body of Mine." Kill me and in three days I will rise from the dead.

Brothers and Sisters,

Despite the many false accusations, blatant lies, and inconsistent testimonies against Him, Jesus kept silent and did not open His mouth, not once, friends.

Church,

These fools reverenced the Scriptures without realizing that the Man in their midst was the fulfilment of all the Law and the prophets.

Disciples,

Jesus could have called down fire from heaven and had legions of angels swarm into the house of the high priest and strike him and his co-conspirators dead, had He been so inclined, but Jesus said not a word.

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then Click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.

 Ray Eastman

Good Sunday, August 16th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER:

Father God, we come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this new and beautiful day that You gave us today. Lord, we ask that You open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to the message You have for us today. Give us ears to hear, and set our hearts a blaze for You! Father God, we thank You for Your care and provision in our lives, and Your Holy Spirit with us! Amen.

TODAY’S MESSAGE:

Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?””

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends,

Here in Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus warns us about false messiahs, wars, famines, and earthquakes. And yet he tells us to see to it that we are not alarmed, as these things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Brothers and Sisters,

He tells us believers will face persecution, and many will fall away from the faith. Then they will deliver us over to be persecuted and killed, and we will be hated by all nations because of His name. (But remember brothers and sisters, they hated Him first.)

Church,

We need to be prepared, and in right relationship with Him, so we have right discernment. Jesus described His return as unmistakable and visible to all. Like lightning that comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, He said, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Disciples,

Jesus emphasizes the need for vigilance and preparedness. He said, therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. We must be prepared in and out of season, ready for the Lord of the harvest!

SHARE MESSAGE:

What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus this morning, responding to God’s Word together, then click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen