How good is good enough? How perfectly do you have to obey God’s Commandments to spend eternity in heaven with Him? That was the question presented to Jesus in Matthew 19: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 Jesus replied: “Keep the commandments . . . You must not murder….
Power, prestige, popularity . . . three “P’s” that cause all kinds of problems for followers of Jesus. Not that they’re bad in and of themselves. The issue is that it is so easy for them to become irresistible temptations for selfishness. Matthew 18 begins with the disciples asking Jesus… “Who is greatest in the…
Do you ever feel like life is a crazy roller-coaster ride? One minute you are climbing high . . . life is going well and you are able to get up each day with hope and enthusiasm. And the next . . . you’re taking a giant nose-dive riddled with sadness, fear, and anxiety. I’ve…
If Jesus came to you and asked… “Who do you say I am?“ Matthew 16:15 What would you say? Peter replied… “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 A messiah is defined as a savior or liberator . . . someone who sets people free. And that’s exactly what Jesus did…
I’ll admit, it’s easier to simply focus on Jesus love and acceptance . . . to repeat His Gospel promises and ignore His the truth of His life-changing commands. It’s more comfortable to say there is no sin, no devil, no hell, and no need for repentance but that wouldn’t be the truth. Jesus challenged…
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be the disciples sailing across the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night . . . when Jesus approaches walking on the water. I can’t imagine all the emotions the disciples were feeling. They had received word that John the Baptist had been…
Remember Matthew 6:33: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. If you haven’t memorized it already . . . it’s a really great verse to hold in your heart. Why? Because SEEKing is important. Jesus said: I speak to them in parables, because seeing…
What do you do when you read a section of Scripture that makes you uncomfortable? I knew some parts would be uncomfortable and harder to write about when I committed to reading and writing every chapter of the New Testament this year but I was hoping it would take a little longer. I’m a first-born,…
I ask God faithfully to make me “childlike.” Unfortunately, too often I give in to childish rather than childlike. Why do I ask to be childlike? Because Jesus said: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to…
Do you ever worry about the possibility of persecution that may be ahead for those who follow Christ? For years, it seemed like Christians living in the United States were given a pass from the persecution Jesus’ followers were facing in other parts of the world. In the past year, around the world: – Over…
Can you imagine? As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him. Matthew 9:9 It sounds so simple… But following Jesus meant that Matthew would have to walk away from a less…
In this season of Covid and all of the physical and mental suffering that has gone with it . . . can you imagine finding out there is a healer in town? That just a simple word or a touch could cure you or your loved one of any ailment? Wouldn’t you do just about…
One of the things I love about reading Scripture is that it speaks to every intelligence level and personality type. It’s everything you and I need. How is that possible? Because… The word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) God’s Word is living and powerful, able to change lives because God’s Holy…
I refer to myself as “Blessing Counter” on all social media platforms. So, the question I want to ask today is . . . what exactly is a blessing? Or to put it another way… What is being blessed? The Dictionary defines a blessing as: a special favor, mercy, or benefit. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. the invoking of…
Can you relate to just wanting a break from satan’s relentless temptations and taunts? Do you ever feel like you could really use a break from his constant reminders of the pain you have suffered because of your past failures or someone else’s? Me too! It drives me crazy when I’m having a great day…
Rev used an egg to explain God, the Trinity, to our grandson the other day. ONE EGG contains – shell, yolk, and the albumen or “white.” Together it is an egg and each individual part is still called an egg. Not three eggs but one egg. The Father is God. Jesus is God. And the…
Many people in the U.S. have their focus on the leadership decisions that will be happening tomorrow but did you know tomorrow is also Epiphany – the day we pause to remember those who were wise. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to…
This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 One of the things I love about Matthew 1 is the record of Jesus’ ancestors. It includes Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon, but it also includes Rahab, the prostitute, who was mother of Boaz…
Happy New Year! A couple of years ago, I selected the word “SEEK” my life word because I have realized it’s easier to say I want to seek God first and give Him complete control of my life—than it is to actually do it! I’ve also learned that it’s easier to say I want to…
I recently reread Priscilla Shirer’s book – Fervent. This time I added a journal . . . taking notes and writing prayers. I have felt the need to go to battle in my war room more often lately because everywhere I look it seems like the enemy is ramping up his attacks on the people…
Has your life changed because of Jesus? I wonder if we sometimes resist growing closer to Jesus because we don’t like the idea of change. I bought our dog, Sadie, new dog dishes the other day because I was told that the ones that are elevated off the floor are healthier and better for their…
