Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Truly, fear stalks us … Continue reading Death Cometh – Hebrews 2:14-15
Ungodly Favors – Acts 24:27
When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. What absolute injustice! Paul sits in prison for two years totally without justification. They have no charge against him and no way to prove any charge. Then, after two long years … Continue reading Ungodly Favors – Acts 24:27
Stay Awake! – Mark 13:37
“And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Insomnia is something I’ve experienced only a handful of times in my life. In contrast, however, I live with the legacy of having dozed off at a NASCAR event. My youngest can attest that as the cars literally roared around the track I … Continue reading Stay Awake! – Mark 13:37
Assumptions vs Knowledge – Matthew 25:24
“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.'" The irony is that this servant really didn't know his master. It seems that maybe he made this decision based actually upon what … Continue reading Assumptions vs Knowledge – Matthew 25:24
Impoverished Giving – Mark 12:44
"For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed — all she had to live on.” It is hard to imagine giving out of a state of such poverty. I have been given so much that my giving is always out of my abundance, … Continue reading Impoverished Giving – Mark 12:44
Forgiveness – Mark 11:25-26
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. [ But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing.]” Jesus theology on forgiveness is clear and uncomfortable. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Withhold … Continue reading Forgiveness – Mark 11:25-26
Righteous Anger – Jeremiah 25:38
He has left His den like a lion, for their land has become a desolation because of the sword of the oppressor, because of His burning anger. This is the aspect of Father God we love to ignore or criticize - His perfect justice which generates His burning anger toward rebellious sin. He knows the … Continue reading Righteous Anger – Jeremiah 25:38
The Desires of our Heart – Mark 10:51
Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Rabbouni,” the blind man told Him, “I want to see!” This is exactly the same question He asked of those who were seeking self promotion in the Kingdom earlier on the road. Jesus opens us up to what we truly desire. He … Continue reading The Desires of our Heart – Mark 10:51
Struggling For God
Note; I came across this article from 2008 and thought it fit well in the current Coronavirus Covid 19 panic/crisis. As always, Father God is calling out to us in our struggle. Our youngest, Charlie, awoke in the night last night having suffered from a nightmare. He wandered through the dark into our room and … Continue reading Struggling For God
Until Death Parts Us – Mark 10:2
Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Mark 10:5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. Do the deceptive motives of the Pharisees have any impact upon the truth shared by Jesus in … Continue reading Until Death Parts Us – Mark 10:2
Sabbath Rest? Jeremiah 17:27
"If you do not listen to Me to consecrate the Sabbath day by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates, and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem and not be extinguished." God is insistent upon the holiness of the Sabbath. … Continue reading Sabbath Rest? Jeremiah 17:27
On Time – Matthew 24:48-51
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces … Continue reading On Time – Matthew 24:48-51
Singing Praise – Psalms 147:1
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely. Wow! The psalmist says so much in so few words. This is a truth that is difficult to even articulate. Few things bring such pleasing loveliness to a child of God as singing His praise. The power of music … Continue reading Singing Praise – Psalms 147:1
The Fairness Of God – Matthew 20:11-15
When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’ “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a … Continue reading The Fairness Of God – Matthew 20:11-15
Rejected – Jeremiah 6:30
They are called rejected silver, for the Lord has rejected them. These rejected ones truly are in Hell - the 'place' for those who have completely lost any sense of shame and who have committed themselves to rebellion against Father God. He will not force Himself upon them; yet, He will not be mocked and … Continue reading Rejected – Jeremiah 6:30
Compassionate King – Psalms 145:8-9
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. This truth about Father God is often overlooked by the atheists and skeptics of our day. They characterize the God of the Old Testament as … Continue reading Compassionate King – Psalms 145:8-9
Tiny Faith – Matthew 17:20-21
And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [ But this kind does … Continue reading Tiny Faith – Matthew 17:20-21
Revive Us – Psalms 143:11
Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. As life progresses and the walk with Lord Jesus continues, I am finding that this prayer becomes even more relevant. Maybe I am doing it wrong, but even the simple things like faithfulness and consistency have become … Continue reading Revive Us – Psalms 143:11
Things Spoken – Psalms 141:3
Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. How many things do we simply destroy with our mouths? How many things have we spoken in anger or disgust or frustration or feigned concern that have led to the character assassination of another? With our lips we praise … Continue reading Things Spoken – Psalms 141:3
Human Reasoning – Joshua 9:14
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the Lord’s counsel. In this case, human reasoning was simply not enough. Frankly, it is rarely enough in situations such as this. Those who are submitting their life to the Will of God must always seek God's direction as best as … Continue reading Human Reasoning – Joshua 9:14
Shortsighted – Matthew 16:24-27
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he … Continue reading Shortsighted – Matthew 16:24-27
