Faith and baptism in salvation according to Mark 16:16

 Ray Eastman

Good Saturday, September 5th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Father God, thank you for this beautiful new day, a day you made just for us, for just a time as this! Lord, I ask that you send Your Spirit to minister to ours today.  Let us be well nourished in Your word. Lord, guide our hearts and minds in a way that grows our faith to new levels. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray ~amen.

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends, 

Faith in the risen Christ brings salvation, and baptism publicly marks the believer’s union with His death, burial, and resurrection. In the early church, those who received the gospel were baptized as an immediate act of obedience and identification with Christ.

Brothers and Sisters,

Baptism does not replace faith or add human merit to Christ’s saving work; it testifies to the inward reality of trusting Him. Salvation rests on Christ alone, received through believing faith, while baptism stands as the outward confession of that faith.

‭‭Church,

Jesus taught that unbelief leaves a person under judgment because they have refused the light God has given in Him. Condemnation results from rejecting the Son, who alone provides forgiveness and eternal life.

Disciples,

Baptism was left out of the statement of condemnation to show us that unbelief is the decisive issue. The gospel is calling every person to turn from sin and trust in the crucified and risen Lord, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

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

Jesus Understands Our Deepest Pain: Reflections on Mark 15:34

Greg Carpenter

Good Friday, September 4th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father,

When we feel hurt, alone, or overwhelmed, help us remember that Jesus understands our suffering. Just as He cried out to You on the cross, help us bring our deepest pain and questions to You. Give us strength when our hearts are heavy. Give us peace when we don’t understand. Help us trust You even in the darkest moments and remind us that Your love never fails. Comfort every brother, sister, and friend who is hurting today. Help us carry one another in prayer and keep our eyes on Jesus.

In Jesus’ precious name,

Amen. 

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

Mark 15:34 (KJV)

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends, 

Friends, Jesus understands what it feels like to experience deep pain and loneliness. At the cross, He cried out to His Father, yet He remained faithful. When life hurts and we don’t understand why, we can still cry out to God. He hears our hearts and knows our pain.

Friends, hold on to Jesus. Encourage one another. Keep the faith, even in the hardest moments.

Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus understands our deepest pain. On the cross, He cried out to the Father in anguish, showing us that it is okay to bring our hurt, fear, and questions to God. When we feel alone, Jesus is still with us. When our hearts are broken, He understands. And when we cannot see the way forward, we can continue to trust Him. Hold on to your faith. Encourage one another. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Church,

Church, Jesus knows what it feels like to suffer deeply. At the cross, He cried out in anguish, yet He remained faithful to the Father’s will.

When we walk through pain, grief, or moments when God feels far away, we can still cry out to Him. Our suffering does not mean God has forgotten us. Let us keep our eyes on the cross, hold onto our faith, and remember the love Jesus showed us there. Church, stay faithful. Stay together. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Disciples,

Disciples, remember: even in His deepest suffering, Jesus fulfilled the Father’s plan and carried our sin to the cross. His cry shows the depth of His suffering—and the depth of His love for us. When we feel alone, broken, or overwhelmed, Jesus understands suffering. We can cry out to God and trust Him even when we don’t understand what He is doing. Stay close to Jesus. Carry your cross. Keep the faith.

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 

Daily prayer on recognizing and surrendering to Jesus as king

 Ryan Taylor

Good Monday, August 31, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus as our Savior and King. Give us hearts that truly recognize who He is. Forgive us when we praise You with our lips but fail to surrender our lives to You. Teach us to follow Jesus not only when life is good, but when obedience is difficult. May our worship be more than words—may our lives declare that Jesus is Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TODAY'S MESSAGE:

“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Mark 11:9 (CSB)

Friends,

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds surrounded Him shouting, “Hosanna!” It was a cry meaning, “Save us!”

They celebrated Jesus as King, but many did not understand what kind of King He truly was. They wanted someone to change their circumstances. Jesus came to change their eternity.

There is a difference between celebrating Jesus and surrendering to Jesus.

Brothers and Sisters,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Jesus didn't come simply to make our lives easier. He came to rescue us from sin and bring us into the Kingdom of God.

Recognize Jesus as King.

Cry out to Him for salvation.

Trust Him when His plan looks different from yours.

Follow Him when obedience becomes difficult.

Let your life match the praise coming from your mouth.

Church,

It's easy to praise Jesus when we're standing in a celebrating crowd. The real test comes when following Him costs us something.

Don't just worship Jesus because of what you want Him to do. Worship Him because of who He is.

Jesus is Savior.

Jesus is King.

Jesus is Lord.

Disciples,

Don't just shout “Hosanna” with the crowd.

Recognize the King.

Surrender to the King.

Follow the King.

Obey the King.

Tell somebody about the King.

Don't just praise Jesus with your mouth. Live like He is your King.

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..... 

Jesus' Message on Welcoming Children and Humility in Faith

 Ray Eastman

Good Sunday, August 30th, 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:

Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends,

The disciples' initial response reflects a common misunderstanding of who is worthy of God's attention. We see this all the time, even today. Jesus corrects this by showing that God's kingdom is open to all, regardless of status or age.

Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus' reaction to the disciples' rebuke shows His open-heartedness for welcoming all, especially those who are often marginalized or undervalued, the weak and dependent. This teaches us about the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

Church,

The kingdom of God is accessible to all who approach with a childlike heart. This challenges us as believers to examine our attitudes and approach to faith. As believers, we are encouraged to cultivate childlike attributes like innocence, trust, and humility as we come to the Lord in our spiritual lives.

Disciples,

The Kingdom of God belongs to those who come as children do, conscious of need, dependent on another, and trusting rather than self-reliant. Jesus was not commending childish immaturity, but rather the humble faith that receives God’s grace as a gift. His words also affirm the value of children before God. Jesus said that entrance into the kingdom requires receiving it with childlike dependence.

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 

Faith and Doubt: Can We Trust God Despite Uncertainty?

 Ray Eastman

Good Saturday, August 29th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Father God, thank you for this beautiful new day, a day you made just for us, for just a time as this! Lord, I ask that you send Your Spirit to minister to ours today.  Let us be well nourished in Your word. Lord, guide our hearts and minds in a way that grows our faith to new levels. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray ~amen.

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends, 

Faith is not the absence of doubt but the willingness to trust God despite it. The father's cry is an honest admission of his struggle, which Jesus honors.

Brothers and Sisters,

God values sincerity. The father's plea is a model for how we can approach God with our struggles and doubts.

‭‭Church,

The father's persistence in seeking Jesus despite previous disappointments (the disciples' inability to heal) teaches us to continue seeking God even when answers are delayed.

Disciples,

This passage of scripture shows us a parent who instantly turns to Jesus, owns his limited faith, and invites the Lord to supply what he lacks. We see this mixture of confidence and confession, a picture genuine belief. This passage encourages us to run to Christ, without delay, voice both our faith and our weakness, and trust Him to strengthen our hearts so that doubt is displaced by growing, God-given assurance.

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

Finding Strength in Suffering: Jesus' Promise of Resurrection and Victory

 Greg Carpenter

Good August 28th, 2026, to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, give us strength when the road is painful, and our hearts are heavy. Help us trust You when we cannot understand what is happening. Remind us that You are with us through every trial and that resurrection and victory belong to You. Amen.

TODAY’S MESSAGE: 

Mark 8:31 (KJV)

“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected… and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Pastor’s INSIGHT:

Friends, 

A word for us, friends: Jesus didn’t hide the hard road ahead. He knew suffering, rejection, and death were coming

Brothers and Sisters,

He also knew resurrection was coming.

Church,

Sometimes we walk through seasons we never would have chosen. We may face heartbreak, fear, or goodbye. But Mark 8:31 reminds us that the story doesn’t end at suffering. Jesus went through the cross and came out victorious.

Disciples,

So, friends, when the road gets hard, keep your eyes on Jesus. What looks like an ending to us can be a place where God is preparing a new beginning.

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 

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