Hi, friends. I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, and the miracles.

Each month we read all four books. We do about three chapters a day. And you know what we say around here a lot is you don't have to be in the Gospels every day to be changed, but every day you're in the Gospels will change you.

So we're really glad you're here with us today. Today I am going to read you three chapters. You can listen or read along in your own Bible or online, and then I will pray. That's it.

Today is April 19th, day 19, and I'll be reading Mark chapters 11 through 13. In this month, I'm reading from the message.

Mark 11. When they were nearing Jerusalem at Bethvege and Bethany on Mount olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions. Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a cult tethered one that has never yet been written.

Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, what are you doing? Say the master needs him and will return him right away. They went and found a cult tied to a door at the street corner and untied it.

Some of those standing there said, what are you doing? I'm tying that cult. The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them and the people let them alone. They brought the cult to Jesus, spread their coats on it and he mounted.

The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes. They had cut in the fields, running ahead and following after they were calling out.

Blessed is he who comes in God's name, blessed the coming kingdom of our father, David, Hosanna and highest heaven.

He entered Jerusalem, then entered the temple. He looked around, taking it all in, but by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the 12.

As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance, he saw a fig tree and full leaf. He came up to it, expecting to find something for breakfast but found nothing but fig leaves. It wasn't yet the season for figs.

He addressed the tree. No one's going to eat fruit from you again, ever. And his disciples overheard him. They arrived at Jerusalem immediately on entering the temple. Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling.

He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the temple.

And then he taught them, quoting this text, my house was designated a house of prayer for the nations. You've turned it into a hangout for thieves.

The high priest and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching.

At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. And the morning walking along the road, they saw the fig tree shriveled to a dry stick.

Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, Rabbi, look, the fig tree you cursed has shriveled up. Jesus was a matter of fact.

Embrace this god life, really embrace it. And nothing will be too much for you.

This mountain, for instance, just say, go jump in the lake, no shuffling or himming and hawing. And it's as good as done.

That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, include everything as you embrace this god life.

And you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking.

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