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
The Darkness Within – Mark 7:15
Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. You can wash your hands repeatedly, it will never have any cleansing effect upon the dark regions of your heart. None. Physical water washing away external impurities has no effect on … Continue reading The Darkness Within – Mark 7:15
Empty Traditions – Mark 7:8,9
“Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men. He also said to them, “You completely invalidate God’s command in order to maintain your tradition!" Father God knows the motives of our heart and what truly matters to us. Empty traditions are 'worse than worthless' when the heart is bent toward evil. They … Continue reading Empty Traditions – Mark 7:8,9
Astounded – Mark 5:42
Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. The work of Jesus in a person’s life is unlike the work of any other. The total change that He brings literally moves a person from death to life. It is astounding. No one … Continue reading Astounded – Mark 5:42
Strengthened by Faith – Romans 4:20-21
He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. As is written in Hebrews, Abraham knew that Father God was real and trustworthy. Whoever comes to Him must … Continue reading Strengthened by Faith – Romans 4:20-21
Renewal and Restoration – Genesis 33:3
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. Jacob has just been face to face with the angel of God and has finally admitted who he truly is: the deceiving supplanter. He has always wanted what someone else had (coveting) … Continue reading Renewal and Restoration – Genesis 33:3
Secret Words in the Night – Job 4:12
A word was brought to me in secret; my ears caught a whisper of it. None of this passage proves that the word Eliphaz received was actually a word from God. In fact, we know Job and this does not describe him. He is not an unrepentant sinner. God is pleased with him. Just because … Continue reading Secret Words in the Night – Job 4:12
Guilty Judges – Romans 2:1
Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. It is very easy to reach a place in our mind and in our perspective where our judgement of others is skewed such that we condemn them for words … Continue reading Guilty Judges – Romans 2:1
The Suffering Of Shame – Matthew 27:28-31
They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and … Continue reading The Suffering Of Shame – Matthew 27:28-31
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