February 25, 2013
During this season of Christ’s ministry he told people to keep quiet. Some say because it wasn’t yet His time. Others say He was trying to stay off the Roman radar. But it may have been because He didn’t want undue attention on His miracles. John called Christ’s miracles “signs.” They were to point to who He was, not to what He could do. Many crowded after Him for the free bread, not because He was the Bread of Life. Our witness is to be less about the healing and more about the Healer. Less the manna and more the Son of Man. The gospel is not so much what Jesus can do for you, but what He has already done. We preach Christ crucified.
February 22, 2013
Jesus taught the principle that “two are better than one” (Eccl.4:9). He trained His disciples in team evangelism. We see this pattern repeated in the book of Acts with Paul and Barnabbas and other duos. Christianity is not a solo act. We are called to be the Body of Christ. We are called to a team. Do you have a partner sharing your life mission?
February 21, 2013
Jairus, the synagogue ruler, had begged Jesus to come to his house to heal his daughter, but before they could arrive, people came saying she was already dead. At this, Jesus spoke to Jairus to calm his heart and focus his mind, pointing him away from fear and towards believing. Do you have a mixture of fear and faith in you? The voice of Christ calls us to “only believe.”
February 20, 2013
The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they were afraid of the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet when life’s storms come, we discover the true measure of our faith. The disciples thought they knew the size of Jesus’ power, but it took a terrifying tempest to enlarge their understanding.
February 17, 2013
This was Jesus’ reply when challenged by the Pharisees about eating at the tax collector Levi’s (Matthew’s) house. The Pharisees were separatists. They would not associate with sinners. But Jesus came to save sinners. How should today’s church be affected by this? How do we resolve the tension between being holy and being evangelists? Simple. Follow Jesus.
February 16, 2013
The Gospel of Mark is unique among the four in that it was written in present rather than past tense. Mark’s action-oriented writing is marked by a favorite phrase “and immediately,” which is found throughout. Each gospel presents a different perspective of Jesus. Matthew sees Him as King, Luke as Son of Man, and John as Son of God. But Mark presents a man of action, Jesus the Servant of all. And whatever Jesus does, He does “immediately.” Is there any urgent need requiring your immediate attention?
March 12, 2012
What the angel guarding Jesus’ tomb said to the women. People still look for Jesus in wrong places. But He isn’t found in dead religion. He is found when we call on Him by name, receiving Him as Lord and Savior. He is alive and wants to live in us!
March 10, 2012
Have you ever felt the self-condemnation and shame of Peter? Yet Jesus pursued Peter and restored him. Jesus will forgive and restore you too. Answer this: Do you love Him?
March 5, 2012
Who do you know that is near unto the Kingdom? Can you see the Kingdom in their eyes? They need only be introduced to the King. But someone must make the introduction. Would you be willing to introduce them to King Jesus?
March 4, 2012
We have dual citizenship. We are born into Caesar’s kingdom, but born again into God’s. We are to live at peace with the temporal king, while proclaiming the imminent return of the Eternal One. When the two kingdoms are at odds, we bow only to King Jesus!