”Surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Dear Friends – When Christ knew His ministry was shortly coming to a horrible end, He commanded His followers to go out into the whole world, baptizing and teaching all people what He had taught them. To fortify their perseverance, He made the above statement to assure them, that while He would be returning to …
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38) Dear Friends – Whatever God asks of us, however severe or demanding His request, could we be so quick to respond as Mary did and reply: “Okay God, whatever you want, I’m totally yours. Take my life and use it as You …
“Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16) “Dear Friends – This is the month we spotlight fatherhood and all the earthly things our Dads do for us, overtly mainly, for we may never know all the hidden things and sacrifices that parents endure on our behalf. Genuine love doesn’t always come with the details of the …
“They did not accord Him glory as God or give Him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.” (Romans 1:21-22,25) Dear Friends – Nonbelievers in God are currently in the majority, and that is a depressing …
“I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) Dear Friends – How anxious and exhilarating it must have been for Mary Magdalene to run looking for the Apostles to tell them on that first Easter Morn long ago, that she had actually seen the risen Lord. Her heart must have been pounding as she struggled to breathe and run as fast as possible with the good news that was to …
“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee before Him.” (Psalm 68:1) Dear Friends – There is such a wishful elegance to those words, that a devout believer can see the possibility of hope escalating when they are pronounced as prayer before Almighty God. As His beloved children, Christians experienced in the extent of His powers realize that whatever is prayed for He …
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” (John 4:48) Dear Friends – There is a subtle note of exasperation and disappointment in Christ’s voice as He utters those words above… it’s as if He were saying: “Couldn’t you just believe My Words and reason with your minds that what I say is logical and true… must I perform Divine magic in order to get your …
“Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5) Dear Friends – One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is the accounting of the Wedding Feast at Cana; it is abundantly rich with theological insight and the symbolism so openly displayed makes understanding apparent. Jesus, His mother Mary, and His disciples were all invited to a wedding feast at which Mary noticed at some point, that they ran out …
“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) Dear Friends – God promised, through Jesus uttering those words above, that a time of miracles had come… a year of the Lord’s favor. Can you imagine being a listener in the Synagogue that day they first heard those …
“If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4) Dear Friends ~ Pointing out one’s sins to another is not an easy thing to do… in fact, it is one of the hardest things you will ever do because the consequences …
“SAY BUT THE WORD, and thy servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) Dear Friends – The profound statement above was made by a Roman Centurion to Jesus, because he didn’t think he was worthy to have Jesus make the trip to his home, but he desperately wanted Jesus to cure his servant, and more importantly, he believed that Jesus could do just that. Jesus was so amazed by the Centurion’s …