Prayer is not just getting what you want from Dad, it’s about having a relationship with Dad.  Knowing Him, loving your Dad, and trusting your Dad.  Doing what your Dad has for you–caring for people, forgiving people.

All of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the Bible, tell us the women who were followers of Jesus went to the tomb early on Sunday morning.  They found the tomb empty and heard a message from the angel.  

Jesus talked alot about the danger of greed, of materialism.  And how we can be blind to money’s control over us.  Jesus tells us to: Watch out!  Be on your guard.  About what?  All kinds of greed.  That’s another way of saying: Chasing more.  

Peter expected seven times to forgive to be impressive.  The Jewish law only required three times.  Jesus is basically saying there should be no limit when it come to forgiveness.  The point is that if you are keeping score, you’re not really forgiving.  So, do you keep score?  

In I Kings 18, Ahab and Jezebel, King and Queen of Israel, had established idolatry—the worship of Baal, as the official religion of Israel.  Elijah the prophet of God says: Let’s have a contest on Mt. Carmel between me and the prophets of Baal in front of the King.  It’s basically: My God can whup your god.  Meet me on the mountain and we’ll settle this once and for all.    

Joseph came from the line of David, as did his fiance Mary.  They were not wealthy, and Joseph provided for his family by working as a carpenter.  Joseph probably passed away before the ministry of Jesus, because it would have been customary for the husband to be older than the wife in New Testament times.