Monthly Archives: February 2018

Evil in Disguise

Posted on by

“What is this word? For with authority and power, He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Luke 4:36 ESV1

Read Mark 1:21-28 & Luke 4:31-37

Something really good can come out of a not so good place. Jesus was brought up in the town of Nazareth. Though Nazareth was the home of the One Who Embodied all the Goodness of God, Nazareth lacked faith (see Matthew 13:58 & Mark 6:5-6) and was filled with wrath and hatred (see Luke 4:28-29). They rejected the Good that was in their midst. Capernaum, on the other, hand was full of faith. They openly accepted Jesus and received many blessings from Him. Yet, there was something evil lurking in the what should have been the most-godly place in Capernaum, their synagogue.

Continue reading →

I Can’t. He Can

Posted on by

He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him.   Matthew 8:15 ESV1

Read Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34 & Luke 4:38-41

Have ever heard the call of Jesus but realized you just didn’t have what it took to do what He asked? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a need but didn’t see how you could possibly help? Have you ever wanted to obey Jesus but felt like you had to say, “I just can’t!”? If so, you may be able to identify with the account recorded in these Scriptures.

Continue reading →

Believing and Blessing

Posted on by

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke and went on his way. John 4:50 ESV1

Read John 4:45-54

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) Today, we meet a father who believed in the possibility of something he had never before seen. He took a chance and asked of Jesus that which was contrary to reason. His faith was rewarded. On the contrary, to those who wanted proof before they would believe, Jesus gave chastisement.

Continue reading →

On the Subject of Miracles and Healings

Posted on by

And when Jesus finished…the crowds were astonished … for He … had authority. Matthew 7:28-29 ESV1

Read Matthew 7:28-29

I do not believe, as some do nowadays, that miracles have somehow ceased upon the completion of the canon of Scripture. I believe healings happen even today. How could I not?! I, myself, have been healed from a potentially debilitating disease. It wasn’t a spontaneous alleviation of the problem, but over some time, the malady was gone and it no longer affects my life. I have a close family member who has experienced a similar healing. I also believe instantaneous healings happen in this day and age because that is exactly what happened to one of my friends. She had an infirmity which was interfering with her ability to perform her job. As she was considering what else she might do for employment, she was approached by a man who stated that God had sent him to lay hands on her and pray for her healing. She was cured right then and there.

Continue reading →

Final Warnings from the Sermon on the Mount

Posted on by

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 7:21 ESV1

Read Matthew 7:13-29, 13:1-30 & Luke 6:43-49

Jesus was up on the mountain teaching His committed followers. He had already given them some pretty radical teachings on a variety of subjects. The above words are among His closing remarks. These final few paragraphs contain the most important instructions His followers were going to need to know as they headed down the mountain and back into their daily lives. If any of them were beginning to doze off, these serious words would have perked up them. They should do the same for us.

Continue reading →