“For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” Mark 4:28 It doesn’t matter how fertile the soil is, if there is no rain from heaven and no sunlight, the seed will never germinate. The human heart is the soil in […]
“For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.” Mark 7:3 The religion of the Pharisees was not about love towards God, or about their attitude, character, and conduct, but it was all about certain ceremonial […]
‘Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”‘ Matthew 4:7 Christ is our example in all things. Here we see how He responded to temptation and gained the victory. We see just what weapons He used in His victorious conflicts. He […]
‘What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”‘ Romans 4:3 Henri Nouwen, in his book “The Only Necessary Thing,” writes the following on faith: “The Flying Rodleighs are trapeze artists who perform in the German circus Simoneit-Barum. When the circus came to […]
“When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house.” Mark 2:1 It can never be kept quiet for long when Jesus gets into any house. The neighbours will soon find out that He is there. The people cannot keep the secret. […]
‘Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”‘ Matthew 17:17 The disciples had failed in their effort to cast out the demon, but there was still hope because they have now brought him […]
“Whom the Lord loves He chastens.” Hebrews 12:6 One day my son uncapped a marker and drew a picture of his father. His drawing featured two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, all inside of a circle on top of two long sticks (he informed me that those were the […]
“He came the third time, and said to them, “Sleep on now and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” Mark 14:41 The time for watching had passed. Jesus had now passed through His agony, […]
“After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone” Matthew 14:23 This verse of Scripture gives us an idea of our Lord’s devotional habits. How he usually spent time alone with God in places without distractions, […]
“The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,” Matthew 14:9 Herod was the king, and yet he was a slave to fear. He was sorry he had made the oath. His […]
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.” Matthew 7:24 Obedience should always follow our hearing the word of God. Both men in Jesus’ parable about the sure foundation heard the words, […]
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever […]
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls, because […]
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13 I read a story recently that I believe hold some lessons for us. Here goes, “a few years ago I was […]
‘But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’ Luke 2:10-11 […]