Verbatim Word with Justin Gerry

Boldly going where we have never been before. The disciples faced a new challenge as they ventured into the territory of a demon-possessed man. But God got the glory. There is no territory that is off limits to Him. And where Jesus goes, we are to follow.  BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 5:1-20 | ROMANS 10:9 | PROVERBS 16:9 | PSALM 23:5 | 1 PETER 5:8 | EPHESIANS 6:12 | LUKE 22:3-4 | 2 CORINTHIAN...

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. The Lord has much to say, but are we really listening? Jesus uses parables to show the importance of sharing the light of the gospel in greater measure, and trusting it to do its eternal work. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 4:21-41 | PSALM 115:3-8 | ISAIAH 9:2 | MATTHEW 4:12-17 | PSALM 19:1-4 | EPHESIANS 6:19-20 | ROMANS 10:14 | 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-7 | PSALM 92:1...

God's truth is powerful, able to penetrate and transform any and every life. But the state of the soil of our hearts can have great implications on just how fruitful His Word is in our lives. Jesus tells and explains the parable of the sower with a desire to see us as fruitful as possible for God's glory. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 4:1-20 | COLOSSIANS 1:16 | JAMES 1:22-25 | JOHN 14:26 | MATTHEW...

Don't get lost in the crowd. Jesus sees each individual's need and is the answer for every one of them. He has been faithful to call us into fellowship with Him and has made a way for us to do so. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 3:7-35 | GENESIS 1:31 | ACTS 9:5 | GALATIANS 1:17 | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 | EXODUS 33:9, 11 | EXODUS 3:14 | MATTHEW 27:51 | PROVERBS 31:14 | PHILIPPIANS 4:19 | JOHN 14:12 | 2 PET...

Stop squirming. God's got this. Sit still, and position yourself to see God come through. BIBLE VERSE References: EXODUS 14:13 | 2 CHRONICLES 20:17 | JOB 37:14 | PSALM 4:4 | PSALM 46:10 | MARK 4:39 | 

Sabbath was made for man. God's heart and desire is that we rest in Him, and all the Jesus has done for us. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 2:23 - 3:19 | EXODUS 20:8 | LEVITICUS 23:22 | MATTHEW 5:45 | JOB 5:10 | MATTHEW 25:14-30 | DEUTERONOMY 28:22-24 | MATTHEW 6:26 | EXODUS 23:11 | DEUTERONOMY 15:9 | 1 SAMUEL 21:1-5 | 1 JOHN 5:3 |

Jesus moved graciously in the world without being of the world. He sat with sinners without being brought down by them. The power of God's truth can bring change without needing to be diluted to the world's liking. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 2:15-30 | HEBREWS 4:13 | ROMANS 3:23 | 1 JOHN 1:9 | ROMANS 8:7 | 2 PETER 2:7-8 | 1 CORINTHIANS 5:9-13 | PSALM 40:1-3 | MARK 2:6-8 | GENESIS 3:7 | GENESIS 3:...

Get up and get moving. Jesus extends the invitation to "arise" and move from the places where we have been. He forgives us and sets us free to step into newness of life.  BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 2:1-15 | 1 SAMUEL 3:1-12 | ISAIAH 40:22 | ACTS 12:5-19 | ROMANS 8:32 | MATTHEW 3:7 | JOHN 6:28-29 | ROMANS 6:4 | HEBREWS 10:3-4 | ROMANS 6:4 | EPHESIANS 5:8 | EPHESIANS 4:17-24 | EPHESIANS 5:14 |...

Nothing in this world is more contagious than sin. Jesus has compassion on the sinner, and is able to make us whole, regardless of how infected with iniquity we find ourselves. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 1:40-2:12 | MARK 2:17 | JOHN 14:16 | LUKE 5:12 | ROMANS 6:23 | 1 SAMUEL 16:7 | LUKE 14:34 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:33 | 2 CORINTHIANS 6:17 | PSALM 103:12 | EXODUS 4:6-7 | NUMBERS 12:10 | 2 KINGS 5:1-2...

News travels fast. And as the ministry of Jesus begins, the word spreads quickly and many come to Him to meet their needs. The message of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves.  BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 1:21-45 | MATTHEW 24:14 | MATTHEW 28:19-20 | ROMANS 1:16-17 | GENESIS 1:3 | EPHESIANS 6:12 | 1 THESSALONIANS 2:18 | 1 JOHN 5:19 | COLOSSIANS 1:13 | 1 JOHN 4:2-4 | MATTHEW 25:41 | REVELATI...

We can find we have many things pressing in life. But when it comes to following Jesus, there should be an urgency that leads us to action. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 1:14-20 | JOHN 3:30 | ESTHER 4:14 | EPHESIANS 5:15-16 | COLOSSIANS 4:5 | MATTHEW 11:11 | 1 PETER 4:3 | PROVERBS 3:5 | JOHN 1:35-42 | JOHN 2:11 |  ROMANS 12:6 | JOHN 6:27 | ISAIAH 6:8 |

Every story has a backstory. The gospel has beginnings reaching back before Jesus began his public ministry. God does a work preparing the way for His message to make the biggest impact. He also prepares the messengers to be effective proclaimers of the truth of Jesus. BIBLE VERSE References: MARK 1:1-13 | ACTS 12:12-14 | ACTS 12:25 | ACTS 15:37-40 | 1 PETER 5:13 | PROVERBS 22:6 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:11 |...

As we look at the second part of Jesus' first sign at the wedding in Cana, we see that at times Jesus' work is subtle and accomplished in faithful obedience, and that He is able to do much more than we can ever anticipate.

In this bonus episode, we look at Jesus's first sign at the wedding in Cana/ We learn to invite Jesus into all parts of life and to obey whatever it is that He says to us to do.

Anchored in Jesus. There is no place safer to be.

Being obedient and faithful can feel sometimes leave us feeling stuck. But being stuck can sometimes be the result of being disobedient and unfaithful to the Lord. How do we know the difference?

Playing it safe. It's something that walking by faith will steer us away from. The disciples discovered this as they crossed the sea in the boat at the Lord's command, encountering a storm as they obeyed.

Peace always. That's the encouragement Paul has for the believers as he finishes his second letter to the Thessalonians. The Lord of peace can give us peace always, in every way we need it. We just need to remember where to turn. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16-18 | PSALM 51:12 | PSALM 16:11 | PSALM 34:14 | EXODUS 14:14 | ROMANS 12:18 | 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:14 | EPHESIAN...

Careful about the company you keep. Paul challenged the Thessalonians to steer clear of the influence of those who were walking disorderly in the faith, and instead to stay in the lane Jesus had appointed for them and be busy about what God had called them to do. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-15 | MATTHEW 7:13-14 | PROVERBS 15:22 | MATTHEW 7:24-27 | ROMANS 12:2 | 1 KINGS 11:12 | 1 CO...

When obstacles present themselves, we should not hesitate to pray in faith that the Lord would intervene. Paul asks them to pray that God would remove hindrances, allow the message run swiftly, and protect them from those who might get in the way. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-6 | HEBREWS 4:16 | EXODUS 20:17 | 2 CORINTHIANS 6: 2 | GENESIS 3:6 | 2 SAMUEL 11:2-4 | JOSHUA 7:20-21 | 1 CO...

You've made the cut. You're on the team. Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica to stand fast, to hold on, to be established in their faith, reminding them they are on the winning team and that their victory is secure in Jesus. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13-17 | GENESIS 2:18 | JOHN 3:19 | ROMANS 10:10-13 | MATTHEW 15:2-3 | COLOSSIANS 2:8 | 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13 | GALATIANS 5:1...

Are we too late? That's something the believers in Thessalonica were concerned about, fearing they had missed the Lord's return and were now enduring the Great Tribulation. Paul writes to dispel the lies and ground them once again in truth -- that two things had to happen before the Day of Christ would come. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12 | JOHN 14:2-3 | LUKE 12:40 | MATTHEW 24:37-...

Pressure can crack, strengthen, or transform. Paul repeats some key principles in his second letter to the Thessalonians as he encourages them in their continuing challenges, as they remain under pressure. BIBLE VERSE References: 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-12 | LUKE 22:31-32 | GENESIS 50:20 | GENESIS 40:12-23 | JAMES 1:4 | ACTS 4:20-31 | 2 KINGS 2:9 | LUKE 22:31 | 1 PETER 4:17-19 | 2 TIMOTHY 3:12 | MATTH...

We could all use a simple reminder every now and then. Paul closes out the letter with some of the basics, encouraging the believers in Thessalonica to maintain the good things that are keeping them grounded and growing in their faith. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-28 | COLOSSIANS 1:24 | 1 PETER 1:6-7 | 1 PETER 4:13 | 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-3 | PSALM 100:4 | LEVITICUS 7:11-15 | JOB 2:9-10 |...

Take care of one another. It's a message that Paul has for the church in Thessalonica, with all the challenges that they were facing. Learning to graciously esteem each other would bring Jesus glory and allow Him to work in their midst. BIBLE VERSE References: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-15 | MARK 10:42-45 | EPHESIANS 5:23 | 1 PETER 2:9 | 1 CORINTHIANS 12:18 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 | LUKE 19:17 | LUKE 17:7...