You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. A statement cannot be considered blasphemy if it is true. The high priest makes no effort to validate Jesus' statement because he has no desire for the truth. He simply seeks a reason to murder Christ. In effect, … Continue reading Passing Judgement – Mark 14:64
Category: Devotionals
Just some quick, short thoughts I have had throughout the years.
God Meant it for Good – Genesis 45:5
Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Here we see the forgiveness of God expressed in His servant. Joseph demonstrates divine forgiveness and brings to flesh the love of God. He endured unthinkable things all because of his stupid, … Continue reading God Meant it for Good – Genesis 45:5
The Trinity – Romans 15:30
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me... Here's another reference to the Trinity as described by Paul. He pleads with them through the Lord Jesus by the Holy Spirit that they would strive … Continue reading The Trinity – Romans 15:30
By His Doing – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” By His doing we are being. By His action we are standing. By His work we are resting. … Continue reading By His Doing – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Submissive Power – Mark 9:29
And He told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [and fasting ].” Prayer is the ultimate submission of our power to God. And isn't our tendency to march around like we are something special when, in many cases, we have no connection with or dedication to either prayer or fasting? Jesus … Continue reading Submissive Power – Mark 9:29
Circle of Blessing – Genesis 39:3-5
Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It … Continue reading Circle of Blessing – Genesis 39:3-5
SOPORIFIC – 1 Peter 5.8
Our enemy, the devil, works in many SOPORIFIC (see definition below) ways among God's people. He works to lull us into a satisfied stupor regarding our faith. To put us into a trance that leads to death. He lulls us with earthbound pleasures and treasures, hypnotizing us into irrelevance and irreverence. Then, as we slumber, … Continue reading SOPORIFIC – 1 Peter 5.8
What Do You Want? – Mark 10:36
“What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked them. It is the exact same question that He will ask the blind beggar, Bartimaus. Yet, those who should have known best what to ask for make a selfishly inappropriate request. The blind beggar who has nothing and no standing whatsoever with Jesus asks … Continue reading What Do You Want? – Mark 10:36
Overturning Evil – Mark 11:15-16
They came to Jerusalem, and He went into the temple complex and began to throw out those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves, and would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple complex. In light of this account, isn't it … Continue reading Overturning Evil – Mark 11:15-16
Sly Liars – Mark 11:29-33
Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, Why then did … Continue reading Sly Liars – Mark 11:29-33
Fear God – Romans 11:19-24
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness … Continue reading Fear God – Romans 11:19-24
Honest Men – Genesis 42:11
“We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” Honest men? Really? They have been holding up a lie about Joseph for years now. They chucked Joseph into a pit, sold him to some slave traders and then made up an awful lie about his death to report … Continue reading Honest Men – Genesis 42:11
Imago Dei – Mark 12:17
Then Jesus told them, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him. Just as Caesar's image was on the coin God's image is on us. Just as we render to 'Caesar' those things that have his image so also we … Continue reading Imago Dei – Mark 12:17
Good Natured Wrongheadedness – Job 8:4
If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression. But Job’s sons did not die for any sin against God. Bildad is simply wrong. Job's children were killed by satan's schemes in order to try to destroy Job's faith. God made it clear from the beginning that Job … Continue reading Good Natured Wrongheadedness – Job 8:4
Sell It All – Mark 10:21
Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Isn't this the fundamental issue for all of us in a culture that has endless material 'blessings'? Our stuff … Continue reading Sell It All – Mark 10:21
God is Good – Mark 10:18
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One — God. Is Jesus asking, in effect, "Do you really believe that I Am what I have claimed? God? If so, then give up whatever hinders you from following Me." Only God is good and the fact that this young … Continue reading God is Good – Mark 10:18
Put Asunder – Mark 10:3,4
He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.” But really this is not the answer to the question that Jesus posed. He asked what Moses commanded them not what Moses allowed because of their selfish, hard hearts. The provision for divorce … Continue reading Put Asunder – Mark 10:3,4
Understanding – Mark 8:21
And He said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?” Can't we just hear the frustration of Jesus in this question? Can't we see His consternation with those closest to Him through this simple questioning phrase? "Don't you understand yet?" They've been through this exact same scenario before. What will it take? His frustration is obvious … Continue reading Understanding – Mark 8:21
Aligned – Mark 8:32-33
"He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “'Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s!'” We must see the irony here. Jesus' close disciple, who still cannot fully … Continue reading Aligned – Mark 8:32-33
Hungry – Mark 8:1-3
"In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He summoned the disciples and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, and … Continue reading Hungry – Mark 8:1-3
Ventanas 