THE POWER OF A GOOD WORD Are your words a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do they need something more to worry about? Or do they need a “good word” that lifts them up? Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GIFTING AND KNOWLEDGE Jesus told a parable to illustrate the importance of being ready for His return. Peter asked whether the parable was only for Christ’s disciples or for everyone. Jesus answered with another parable, concluding with the thought that the master’s judgment would be based on how much had been entrusted
THE LAW LEADS BUT ONLY GRACE SAVES Moses was 120 years old when he passed the reins of leadership to Joshua. He was forty years a prince of Egypt, forty years a shepherd of Midian and forty years leading Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Now his job was finished. Moses, the Levite
NO MORE COVERING-UP AND HIDING After warning his disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Jesus warned that ultimately all things that people have sought to cover up or hide, will be exposed. Our public “Facebook” persona will have its mask removed. As the Lord warned the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, “Be
THE SIGN OF JONAH POINTS TO EASTER As Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days, so Jesus would be in the tomb 3 days before rising again. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and prediction concerning His life, death and resurrection. The only “sign” that Jesus offered those who questioned His authority was
WILL GOD GIVE GOOD GIFTS WHEN WE ASK? Does God give good gifts when we ask? Can we trust His response to our prayers? If we give ourselves fully to Him in prayer, will He test us with things we don’t want and take away things that we do? Jesus answered these implied questions
GOD CARES ABOUT HOW YOU DO BUSINESS God told Moses to teach the people of Israel to establish and maintain a standard of weights and measures, so that their nation would endure. God said that those who used dishonest weights and measures were behaving unrighteously and were an abomination to Him. Having fair weights
WHAT SPIRIT OR ATTITUDE DO YOU HAVE TODAY? Jesus set his face to go directly to Jerusalem, passing through Samaria on the way. Jews traveling to Jerusalem from Galilee, normally went around Samaria, but Jesus did not. He was urgently focused on achieving his mission in Jerusalem and took the direct route. Yet when messengers
WHEN FACING A BATTLE, KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON GOD In Deuteronomy chapter 20, Moses gave God’s instruction for Israel as they prepared to go into battle against their enemies in the Promised Land. God instructed them not to focus on the power of the enemy, nor to be afraid of them. Instead, they were to
CHRIST’S AUTHORITY OVER THE SEEN AND UNSEEN WORLD Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, fell down at the feet of Jesus begging him to come to his house. For his twelve year old daughter, his only child, lay dying. Before Jesus could arrive, someone came from Jairus’ house saying not to trouble the Rabbi, for