“He is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them all into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water” (Leviticus 14:6 HCSB).

February 23, 2021

LEVITICUS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF CHRIST Why does God’s Word contain laws concerning leprosy? The laws in Leviticus are in three categories: 1) Moral, 2) Ceremonial and 3) Civil. Moral laws are perpetual, revealing the character of God and showing us how to treat both God and man. Ceremonial laws have to do with

“And He was amazed at their unbelief” (Mark 6:6 HCSB).

February 22, 2021

FAMILIARITY IS NOT FAITH When Jesus began teaching and performing miracles in His hometown of Nazareth, “He was amazed at their unbelief.” Can you imagine that? That the Son of God was “amazed” at the lack of faith He saw in the very neighbors that should have known Him best?   Those that have grown

“For my sins have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear” (Psalm 38:4 HCSB).

February 21, 2021

SIN TOO HEAVY TO BEAR David wrote this psalm of despair over the weight of his sin. He described his sins as having “flooded over” his head. He said they were like a “burden” too heavy for him to bear. He confessed his sin, but was still anxious about his guilt. So he cried out

“So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed” (Mark 5:20 HCSB).

February 20, 2021

THE POWER OF ONE WITNESS In the region of the Gerasenes, on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus encountered a man who was beset by a “legion” of unclean spirits. He commanded them to leave and the man was restored to his right mind. Afterwards, the man wanted to go with Jesus,

“But the worries of this age, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19 HCSB).

February 19, 2021

THE THORNY SOIL OF THE AMERICAN BELIEVER Jesus told a parable about a sower who sowed seed that fell on four types of soil. Some seed fell on a path, some in rocky soil, some fell in soil overgrown with thorns and some fell on good soil. Jesus later explained the parable to His disciples.

“Then He went up the mountain and summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him.” (Mark 3:13 HCSB).

February 18, 2021

WANTED BY JESUS Jesus selected the twelve disciples that “He wanted.” Choosing them was preceded by His going up on the mountain alone to pray. It was there that He must have discussed each of the twelve candidates with His Father. Surely, the Father must have warned Him about the pros and cons of each,

“After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5 HCSB).

February 17, 2021

WHAT DOES CHRIST SEE IN YOUR HEART? The Pharisees brought out the full range of emotion from our Lord Jesus. When He tried to show them the spirit of the Sabbath, they clung to the letter of the law, even that which they themselves had added to it. He asked them a simple question, one

“So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them” (Mark 1:31 HCSB).

February 16, 2021

FROM SICKNESS TO SERVICE After preaching in the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus went to Peter’s home, where his mother-in-law lay sick in bed with a fever. So Jesus went to her at once. He healed her and she began to serve them. Let us consider the details.   First, notice that Jesus “went to her.” When

‘Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!”‘ (Mark 1:14-15 HCSB).

February 15, 2021

THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS! Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee, preaching the good news of God, which is the gospel. What was the good news that Christ preached?   First, He preached that the “time is fulfilled.” The time of Israel’s waiting and watching for the Messiah was complete. Jesus the Messiah had

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 HCSB).

February 14, 2021

A PROMISE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY AND EVERY DAY Every believer should know the Great Commission, which is Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations. But let us not forget that the Lord’s command ends with a promise: “I am with you always.” He promises to “never leave us nor forsake us” (Heb. 13:5). Yes,