Jesus expects His followers to count the cost and to fully surrender to Him. He never asks His followers to do what He did not do ““ in fact He did more that what He asks of His followers. Following Jesus requires a life of self-sacrifice and also requires a focus on what pleases God. […]
Today”™s headlines could have been used by Jesus in a parable”¦an example of what happens when people do not wisely consider the cost. Many people bought homes without considering the cost after that very appealing initial mortgage rate ended. They may not have asked the “˜What if”¦”™ questions of themselves in order to meet their […]
Jesus had twelve chosen disciples, and many others followed Him as He taught and healed people. He taught the truths of God and healed individuals. Jesus”™ ministry attracted large crowds wherever He went. One day, as large crowds followed Him, He turned to them and told them the condition and the cost of what really […]
Prayer is done at church, at funerals, at weddings. Prayer is done before Bible studies. Prayer is even said before meals (and by some even in restaurants). How seriously do you take prayer? Is it merely ritual or perhaps more of a superstition? How seriously do you take prayer? How big a part does prayer […]
Jesus called Matthew who responded by leaving his tax booth and following Him. The very next verse tells us that Jesus is having dinner at Matthew”™s house with a group of men who are considered “˜sinners”™ because they are tax collectors. (They worked for Rome and were despised by their fellow countrymen in Israel.) (See […]
How does the ministry of Jesus impact my life today? In today”™s devotional one of the lessons is: He is more concerned with my relationship with the living God than He is with my physical well-being. When He heals any part of me, He does so to point to His power and authority to forgive […]
Jesus had finished teaching the people on shore as he sat in Simon”™s fishing boat on Lake Gennesaret in Galilee. Jesus said to Simon, “˜Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”™” Simon and his fishing partners had spent all night fishing. This was their job and they had […]
How well do you and I listen, really listen, to what others are saying? It takes concentration and today multi-tasking takes precedence over giving our full attention to those who are talking with us. Listening, really listening, is not only being polite, it just may benefit us as we hear the full import of what […]
God works uniquely in the lives of His children. The circumstances He used to bring you and me into belief in His Son as our Savior is different; we are unique in His sight. Each follower of Christ”™s story is important. Remember how He has worked in our lives ““ it is God Whom we […]
Serious scoffers rarely smile”¦have you noticed that? Watch Jesus turn the tables on a most serious scoffer”¦Nathanael”¦ How did Jesus turn the tables on him? Jesus knew the heart attitude of Nathanael. Nathanael spoke truth, perhaps without being concerned who he hurt in the process, nothing fake in him. (NASB) John 1:47 “Jesus saw Nathanael […]