Why is it considered incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? He spoke the world into existence. He breathed life into mankind. Why is it so unreasonable to conclude that the Author of Life is able to raise the dead back to life? It is more unreasonable to assume that He couldn't. … Continue reading Raising the Dead- Acts 26:8
Ultimate Authority – Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Jesus Christ has ultimate authority here on earth and also in the Heavenly realms. All will submit to Him at some point - either now or later. It is a promise. It is Truth. God's … Continue reading Ultimate Authority – Matthew 28:18
Sober Truth – Acts 26:24-25
While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 1 Corinthians 4:10, We are fools for … Continue reading Sober Truth – Acts 26:24-25
Surely not I? – Matthew 26:25
Then Judas, His betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” “You have said it,” He told him. Spoken like a true deceiver. Judas has ALREADY committed Himself to the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus. He has already received payment. The evil plan is in motion, yet, Judas, speaking as a sorry liar and thief, feigns ignorance. … Continue reading Surely not I? – Matthew 26:25
Lawless Days, Calloused Hearts – Matthew 24:12
Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. The Risen Jesus speaking to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:4-7 calls out their loss of love - they have forsaken their first love. I wonder if this statement of Jesus to His followers here in the book of Matthew foreshadows this problem. It … Continue reading Lawless Days, Calloused Hearts – Matthew 24:12
Unwilling – Matthew 23:37
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! It is willingness that moves one into the saving arms of Christ. He is standing, waiting, inviting. … Continue reading Unwilling – Matthew 23:37
Up Is Down – Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. It is the challenge of all who follow Christ - to humble oneself. It does not come natural. The self is central to all we do and all we are. Our own desires always seem to rise up and cloud our vision. … Continue reading Up Is Down – Matthew 23:12
Angry Ignorance – Acts 22:22
They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth — it’s a disgrace for him to live!” Ah, the ‘reasoned’ response of an angry, ignorant, condemning crowd - NOT! "He cannot be right in any respect because he accepts and reaches those who we … Continue reading Angry Ignorance – Acts 22:22
Reorientation – Acts 22:14
Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of His voice. Can there be any greater gift? This is the grace of God manifest to Paul. He knows it and will gladly pour out his entire life to … Continue reading Reorientation – Acts 22:14
Imago Dei – Matthew 22:22
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. Surely the questioners should have asked, "And what belongs to God?" To which Jesus could have replied, "Whose Image is on you?" Our very being belongs to God. … Continue reading Imago Dei – Matthew 22:22
God’s Question – Matthew 20:32
And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Do we have the courage to answer such a question from God? The Lord of the Universe looked at this humbled, outcast, handicapped man and asked him what He could do for him. “What do you want child?” … Continue reading God’s Question – Matthew 20:32
Word Over Wealth – Psalms 119:36
Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. If only one could focus their entire heart on God's Word and the ultimate security it brings, the temptation to rely on money and things for security would vanish. There is real, lasting security in the Word of God and only false, temporary security … Continue reading Word Over Wealth – Psalms 119:36
The Written Revelation – Nehemiah 8:5-8
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped … Continue reading The Written Revelation – Nehemiah 8:5-8
Condemnation Corner
Condemnation Corner Judgmentalism never goes out of style. It’s so easy to condemn others almost anyone can do it! Often these condemnations contain at least a small grain of truth. Every person we encounter has done something stupid and wrongheaded and deserves condemnation. Before Jesus Christ walked this earth no other human had ever existed … Continue reading Condemnation Corner
Forgive to be Forgiven – Matthew 18:32-35
“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured … Continue reading Forgive to be Forgiven – Matthew 18:32-35
Foundations
Psalms 11: 1 - 3 1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains; 2 for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 3If the foundations are … Continue reading Foundations
The Question – Matthew 16:15
“But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” The tense in this passage is plural. Jesus is addressing His disciples with the question that every person must answer. Who is Jesus Christ? Ultimately, all of us are left face to face with Jesus to answer this. Is He God? Is He … Continue reading The Question – Matthew 16:15
Yeasty Selfish Perspectives – Matthew 16:11
"Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread?” The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees is self-righteousness and self-indulgence. Both philosophical perspectives are about self and lead away from truth and Christ. The Pharisees developed their own path to … Continue reading Yeasty Selfish Perspectives – Matthew 16:11
The Fruit of Our Lips – Matthew 12:33-37
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out … Continue reading The Fruit of Our Lips – Matthew 12:33-37
Easy and Light – Matthew 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. There is a supernatural peace that washes over me whenever I read this. Each time I read this truth, the sense of God's peace follows. Even having everything I need and want in a culture of excess I still often find myself 'heavy laden', typically, … Continue reading Easy and Light – Matthew 11:30
Ventanas 