“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Matthew 26:13 NLT). What Jesus said is true. Wherever the gospel is preached, the story of this woman’s extravagant generosity towards Jesus is told. For she had approached Jesus with “an alabaster flask
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise” (Matthew 25:1-2 NLT). It appears that the parable of the ten bridesmaids was given by Jesus to his disciples in a private setting, as a further
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11 NLT). When we receive God’s comfort, He not only wipes away our tears, He strengthens our weak knees and sagging spirits, so that our “mourning is turned into dancing.” This comfort flows
“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (Exodus 23:2 NLT). After giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, the Lord gave specific examples of how to apply them. He warned that following the crowd in doing wrong would not excuse the breaking of the commandments. How many of us as teens tried this excuse
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me” (Matthew 23:37 NLT). Jesus grieved over Jerusalem and its people’s rejection of Him. How He wanted to gather
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12 NLT). Jesus not only taught, but modeled the art of servant leadership. He showed that true greatness was not about exalting oneself, but being humble enough to wash another’s
“I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink” (Exodus 17:6 NLT). The people of Israel complained of thirst, threatening to stone Moses for leading them into the desert. Moses brought their complaint to the Lord
“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land” (Exodus 13:17 NLT). Why did God lead the Israelites the long way around to the Promised Land? He wanted to give them time
“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NLT). Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break
“But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13 NLT). The Lord instructed Moses to have each household choose a male lamb without blemish to sacrifice and to spread its blood on their doorposts,