Jesus told a story as an illustration of God the Father’s love for a prodigal son: Luke 15:11-16 (paraphrased)   A man had two sons and the younger son asked for his inheritance.  (The father did not try to argue with him or try to persuade him to change his mind.)  After the son received […]

  Jesus told a story…using this parable Jesus showed the importance of women.  He raised women to a level of respect and love whenever He healed them and even when He used them to illustrate a point.  (NASB) Luke 15:8-10 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not […]

  The Pharisees and scribes were grumbling about Jesus receiving tax collectors and sinners and even eating meals with them.  Jesus was reaching out to the lowest dregs of society and the upper echelon was disgruntled.  He also reached out to those who were looking down their noses at people they considered inferior to them.  […]

The prayer of the week is based on 1 John 1:9    You are God, the loving Father, Who forgives all who turn to You in repentance.    When I confess to You my sins, You are faithful; You are righteous to forgive and to clean me from all my sins.    Those sins are […]

  Needy people come near to Jesus and listen to Him.    When you are most needy, is that when you “come near” to Jesus and listen to Him?   Does your need drive you to “come near” to Jesus and to listen?    Many critical and legalistic “religious” people grumble and complain when people […]

(NASB) Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”   Ephesus: to the one who overcomes (is victorious) by persevering, enduring for the sake of the name of Jesus, do not grow weary!  Are you listening?  (NASB) Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him […]

  Whenever the word “therefore” appears in Scripture…look at the verse(s) before it and see what “therefore” is ‘there for’, to see the reason it is stated.  (NASB) Luke 14:34 “Therefore…”   For this reason unless the followers of Christ give up all which they possess – they cannot be a disciple of Jesus…consider the […]

  The Lord Jesus never said, ‘Walk with Me.’   He always said, “Follow Me.”  What Jesus said…to those whom He called to be His disciples: (NASB) Matthew 4:19 “…‘Follow Me…”    Are you following Him?    What was the promise made to them? (NASB) Matthew 4:19 “… and I will make you fishers of men.” […]

  Jesus talked to the large crowd following Him about loving God first in their lives and counting the cost of following Him.  (Luke 14:25-27)   He then told a story to illustrate this truth: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  (NASB) Luke 14:28-33 paraphrased   […]

  A large crowd was going along with Him and then He turned toward them, saying: (NASB) Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone come to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27 ‘Whoever does […]