But his master answered and said to him, “You wicked, lazy slave,” Matthew 25:26 Wicked, Lazy – Not many of us would expect words like this from the mouth of Jesus. Far fewer, perhaps none, could imagine that Jesus would say this to the man who returned 100% of what he was given. In order…
Rising up, be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord Acts 22:16 Calling On The Name – How do you establish ownership of your possessions? In this age, we have titles, certificates and deeds. We use legal documents to prove ownership. In ancient times, other methods were used. Brands,…
For God did not give a spirit of fearfulness to us, but of power and of love and of self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Fearfulness – What is the difference between cowardice and fear? If we want to understand what Paul really has in mind in this statement to Timothy, we must be able to answer…
for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man Luke 19:21 Exacting – Is your Jesus demanding? Is He austere? Or are you convinced that Jesus would never demand results or utter a punishing judgment? Have you been seduced by the “meek and mild” crowd? Or does your Jesus drive a hard…
And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:13 Do Business – Jesus spoke more about money than He did about heaven. He knew where we are most confused. Here Jesus provides us with a startling parable about…
And seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Luke 5:20 Are Forgiven – “Your sins are forgiven.” But that’s not what we wanted, Lord! You’re one of the friends. You carry the stretcher, pushing your way through the crowds, sweating in the hot sun. “If we can just get there, I…
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 Mastered – What’s possible in your life? What are the “yet-to-be” conditions, dreams or hopes? And what lies on the other side of the coin? What might the dark side of your life look like? Imagine it all,…
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 Mastered – Who’s the boss? In it’s simplest terms, that’s the central question of the Christian message. Who’s in charge of you? Bob Dylan correctly observed that all of us “gotta’ serve somebody.” Those who have not come to…
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot; and like a root out of parched ground; Isaiah 53:2 Root – Jesus is not Superman! He’s not Batman or even Robin. He’s not John Wayne, John Glenn, JFK or FDR. Jesus is nobody we would ever follow, unless we are called. Isaiah chapter 53…
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; Psalm 139:23 Anxious Thoughts – My greatest battles come from wrestling with my thoughts. My greatest victories come when I let God provide His thoughts and simply obey Him. It’s not easy. In fact, letting God uncover my inner anxious…
