THE NECESSITY OF CHILDLIKE FAITH After Jesus rebuked his disciples for preventing parents from bringing their children to Jesus, he gave this spiritual principle concerning the kingdom of God. Those who would desire entrance into the kingdom must first receive it “like a child.” These questions arise: How does a child receive the kingdom?
People are often heard saying, “If I had more, I’d start giving, but I’m just too broke to give right now.” Yet, Jesus taught that faithfulness in large things begins with faithfulness in little things. Stop waiting for a better job, more money, a bigger house, or a nicer car before you start being faithful
HOW DO YOU MEASURE LIFE? How do you measure life? Jesus warned the man who asked him to act as judge in settling his father’s estate that such things were not so important. Too many families have been divided over the disposition of their parents belongings. How sad that a time of mourning is further
THE SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT WAS CHRIST According to the inscription, Psalm 78 was written by the Levite priest, prophet, poet and singer, Asaph, who was appointed chief of the worship leaders by King David (1 Chron. 16:5). In Psalm 78, the Lord inspired Asaph to write an account of the “lessons of the past,” so
WHY WERE THE STONES TO BE NATURAL AND UNCUT? Moses instructed Israel to build an altar of “natural, uncut stones” after they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. They were to offer burnt offerings on it to celebrate God’s law and provision for his people. But why did God insist that the
HAVE YOU ACCEPTED OR REJECTED JESUS? Jesus sent out 72 disciples two by two to preach the gospel in every town and place he was about to go. He prepared them to understand that some people would accept their message and some would reject it. The main thing was to know that ultimately they were
LEARNING TO LISTEN FOR THE LORD’S VOICE When Peter witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus and saw his glory and the two men, Moses and Elijah, standing with him, Peter blurted out his idea for a building project on the mountain. But the Father spoke to Peter from the cloud and silenced him with the instruction,
WHEN IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO BE SEEN? The Kingdom of God is a mystery. For Jesus described it as both present and future. Perhaps the best explanation for this mystery was offered by George Ladd, who called it “fulfillment without consummation.” Fulfillment of the kingdom is here now since the first coming of
CAN POVERTY BE ELIMINATED? According to God’s Word, poverty will never be eliminated in this world. Yet, this fact is stated not to excuse our responsibility to the poor, but to encourage our ongoing generosity towards them. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God made provision for every person and tribe
HAVE YOU TURNED JESUS AWAY? The people in the region of the Gerasenes, on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, begged Jesus to leave. Jesus had only just arrived when he encountered a demon possessed man who lived in the tombs. Running towards Jesus and shrieking at the top of his lungs,