Are we disciples of Jesus? What does Jesus require of us?
Jesus was quite explicit about the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires a totally committed life: “Any of you who …
Author Archives: Michael Wilson
Are we taking Jesus too seriously?
That Jesus didn’t command everyone to sell everything gives comfort only to those He would say that to. God is God. …
What should we think about judging others?
This theme seems very clear. There isn’t too much to be added here. 8 very specific references citing Jesus, Paul …
Will we regret it if we make a run for God?
There a lot of things in life we all regret. They are the could of, would of, should of of …
What is the proper response to God as His covenant people? Is it faithfulness?
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people. It is seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects …
What is worry? Do we know God? Do we know how God works?
Why do we worry? What produces that anxiety in our gut? Because we don’t know what a good mood God, our …
Do we understand love? Do we really get it?
John simply got it. The message from God our Father and our Messiah Jesus is that we should love one …
What price did Jesus pay to redeem us?
I pray that the evidence of the Master’s love in my life will be clearly verified in my life. There …
Are there examples where Jesus didn’t judge?
Jesus famously said in the Jesus Manifesto “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way …
Can a gaabout gossip be trusted? Will someone of integrity violate a confidence?
Jesus wants us to be people of integrity. Everyone we know needs to be able to trust us completely. It …
Will we be resurrected?
Why it matters: Am I the one Jesus brings into the room with Him or am I the one provoked to …
Are we slaves or servants? What does Jesus think?
Am I a slave or a servant? Yes! I am both. It isn’t an “either/or” issue. I am afraid, however, …
Why does Jesus ask so many questions? What are your answers?
Jesus has some questions for me. I need to answer them and not ignore Him. It is stunning how skillfully …
Are we trying weasel out of obedience to Jesus and His good news?
What we know: Jesus is direct with us about twisting God’s words and using them to our advantage. Jesus knows …
Is Jesus the ultimate miracle of God?
Why it matters: Different cultures and religions have unique views of God. There is only one good news message though. That is …
Is Mean-spirited slander heartless? Does quiet discretion accompany good sense?
God’s goal: Speaking ill of others, whether it is true or not, is just not God’s way. Jesus summed it up …
Do we need to be sanctified? What does that even mean?
I avoid some things because they sound very geeky and smack of theology. Jesus talks about sanctification. Maybe I need …
Was Jesus born into poverty?
Jesus is born. We all know the story. What may not be clear is that apparently Mary and Joseph couldn’t afford …
Where should we place our hope? How do we react in the middle of a trial? Does the sound of His name give us hope?
We need to find more hope. God is good and in a good mood. Justice, while lacking here some days, will be …
What do you do when Jesus won’t do what you want Him to?
You come to Jesus. You beg him to personally come and heal your son who is dying. Jesus puts you off. …
Who is in charge? Who’s in the drivers seat?
What matters the most: Jesus challenges us to live life with Him in charge. Now that is tough because we …
What are the limits to the authority of Jesus? Is Jesus in charge?
What gives Jesus the right to speak and act on his Father’s behalf in forgiving sin, pronouncing judgment and promising …
Are we really children of God? How can we be sure?
This is stunning. As disciples of Jesus, we are the chief objects of God’s fatherly love. We become God’s children …
Is self-help any help at all?
What we know: God knows us. He knows that we miss His goal for our lives. Jesus challenges us to face …
Should we judge others or not?
Jesus can be very straightforward and direct. His suggestion on criticizing and judging others is to not do it if we …
Are we more interested in religion than in people?
What matters: The people of the town of Bethel sent a delegation to the priests and prophets with a question. They …
God gives us strength. What is our strength for?
The way I see it: My oh my, there is some misguided thinking going on in this world. God has …
Are we subjects of the Kingdom of God and mighty King Jesus?
Why it matters: Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!! OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s …
What is our response to Jesus becoming poor for us?
What matters the most: As the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah had all the riches of our Father. Yet He …
Are we just pretending to be righteous? Is because we love to be rule followers?
What matters the most: Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are …
How does God show His kindness?
I want the quality of compassion and generosity in my life. I need to learn how God loves the weak …
How tender and compassionate is Jesus? Why does Jesus weep?
I think this is the most precious verse in the scripture. Jesus wept! Jesus cried. Jesus sobbed. It is clear that …
Can we keep our lives simple and honest?
God’s goal: Jesus summed up what God wants us to do. It was nothing new. God is all about simplicity. God …
Where do we get with courage? What happens when we believe Jesus?
What we know: With faith comes a risk. “What if ….”, we think. What if God doesn’t answer.What if we look …
Do we get rid of God’s command so we won’t be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions?
Why it matters: Jesus challenges us to obey God and not follow the latest religious fads. God is clear in …
We have an inheritance through God. Why is that?
The big picture: Now this is something to be thankful for. We are qualified. No doubt about it. God has …
If we drink the water Jesus gives us, will we get thirsty again and again?
God has a goal: Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God’s World (Kingdom), you …
Are we willing to pay what it will cost us?
My dad (perhaps like your dad) always reminded me that there is no such thing as a free lunch. And …
A tribute to my mom on her birthday.
Today my mom would have turned 99. She was taken to be with Jesus in 1967. While it has been …
Do we become a winning athlete by sitting on the sidelines?
Why it matters: Think about 10 years ago. Is what was average then below average now? Probably. What does that mean …
Who is the Prince of peace?
The most prevalent focus to the concept of peace in the New Testament is the messianic peace accomplished by the …
Does Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense?
Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense. Now that is some very powerful good news. I want Jesus on …
How do we bring glory to our mighty King Jesus?
This article (via His Resurrection Destiny | My Utmost For His Highest), from Oswald Chambers, says it all. Jesus and …
Does the common sense of the godly preserve them?
Why is matters: The most difficult thing in life to control is our tongue. What we say makes a difference. Words …
How easy is it to forget about joy?
Do disciples have joy even in the face of opposition? Absolutely we do. Jesus is kind and thoughtful. I know …
Should we keep the good news message simple? Are we the equipment?
How it matters: Jesus challenges us to not get wrapped up in all “stuff” that keeps us from fulfilling His mission …
What does Jesus think about retribution?
Why this matters to God: This is tough stuff. It doesn’t feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us …
If good people barely make it, what’s in store for the bad?
Why it matters to Jesus: Jesus is straight with us. The way is not easy. He says it over and over. …
What is it about rest that is important to get?
Why it matters: How important is rest? God needed it and got it. He worked creating everything in six day and …
Do we have contempt for issues of doctrinal differences of opinion? Where do we draw the line?
Why it matters: Am I a member of the “doctrine police” constantly issuing heretic alerts? That is a good question …
It is always a victory parade in Jesus. Are we ready for it?
Why it matters: Parades are so much fun. The bands, the floats, and the celebration of a special day. Everyone …
Miracles of Jesus raising the dead!
Why it matters: There are a number of examples of this stunning miracle in the Bible. Notably, 3 are attributed …
Is God fair and just? How do we know?
Is God fair? Yes. God’s justice is without any partiality. I can trust God completely. Being just Himself, God calls …
When we die, is that it? Is the story over? Is that the end of hope?
I’m active on social media. I have atheists and skeptics tell me all the time that when we die, that …
How bold and courageous can we be with God in control?
God is speaking. He is moving. Will I keep quiet about what I have seen and heard? Will I speak …
Are angels sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?
I have to say that it hasn’t always been obvious to me that angels are here to help me. There …
Did Jesus follow God’s perfect timing in His obedience?
Jesus the Messiah’s life was lived under the shadow of the cross. He was concerned that people should understand his …
How will God calm me? How will God delight me?
What is it about His love? It is so calming. I know Yeshua [Jesus] is here to save me. God …
What happens at the crack of dawn on resurrection Sunday?
After Jesus was crucified, he was hastily buried as the clock was ticking moving toward the Jewish Sabbath. No work …
Where does hypocrisy come from?
Jesus is clear. Jesus hates hypocrites. Jesus calls it out all the time. My contempt allows me to ignore …
If we are disobedient, are we living in darkness? Will we suffer God’s wrath?
Not all work is the same. Some things are much more important in the Kingdom than others. I shouldn’t waste …
God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine.
I have ideas. I imagine, “what if”. Some of these thoughts seem pretty cool!! Does it seem to be far fetched …
How should we act toward the wayward? Can we be gracious?
I wander off. I am wayward. I drift. It happens. It happens to others I know as well. What is …
God is mighty and He will deliver on His promise
Our Father’s promise is not just for me. It is for my relatives and anyone who God invites to the …
Is it time for us to grow up and be mature in our walk with Jesus?
Jesus [Yeshua] challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. Jesus challenges us to grow up. Grow …
Should we just ditch God’s command and take up the latest fads?
Yeshua [Jesus] challenges the religious to stay focused on God and what He wants. Fads come and go. Jesus and …
Can we learn to love like God and Jesus?
Jesus demonstrated His love for us by dying on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God the …
Shouldn’t we be afraid of God? Shouldn’t we fear Him?
You know, if you really think about it, we should all be terrified of God. Anybody that can create the …
Why does Jesus demand we live a radical life?
In listening to Yeshua [Jesus] , much of what He is saying goes against the grain of what I have …
Is my heart in it?
Yeshua [Jesus] challenges us to have our heart in the right place with God and everyone else. It is all …
Why did Jesus talk about hell so much? Is it real?
Do you believe in hell? It is interesting that a much higher percentage of people believe in the existence of …
How do we open our eyes to what God is doing?
Yeshua [Jesus] challenges us to see the opportunities right in front of us. We need to see what God IS …
Have we missed the good news of Jesus?
God sent Jesus. Jesus is His plan. There is danger in missing all of this. We need to slow down …
Why don’t our faithless solutions allow God to shine through?
Jesus challenges us. It had been a long day. It was beginning to get late. His disciples came to him …
Who has the last word? Is it death?
Death has no power over us. It has been swallowed up whole by the triumphant resurrection of our Master Jesus. …
Are God’s people called on to do good works and exhibit goodness?
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
When we embellish our words with religious lace, does that make them true?
Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing …
Would our Father rather do it right than do it quick?
Our Father would rather do it right than do it quick! He is in the “doing it right” business. Now, …
Does the Holy Spirit give us joy in knowing Jesus our Messiah?
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving them an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
Is self-control a discipline that is hiding along with the other fruits of the Spirit of God?
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or …
How much courage can we have as we suffer for Jesus?
Many days, there is a whole lot of worrying going on. There are many difficulties. Jesus told us there would …
He whispers to me: A poem
The Master comes to me and whispers to me not to despair. He is present with me. He is here. …
What are examples of the authority of Jesus? Do we see them in miracles?
There are so many amazing and supernatural acts of Jesus, revealing and confirming his Messianic credentials, and the coming of …
Do our words give strength to the people, words that put heart in them?
John the Baptist was an amazing man of God. His words gave strength to people. His words put heart in …
Jesus is dead. What would the disciples do?
They had waited. It wasn’t easy but they honored the Sabbath. So much had happened and they were so distraught. …
Does a wise heart takes orders?
We live in a world where we must respond to others and take orders. We have bosses, police, parents, teachers …
How good is God? Where do we see it the most?
All God’s perfect qualities are made freely available to all for the benefit of the whole world. God is good. …
Does life start with my heart?
My life starts with my heart. That is the center of everything. Nothing else matters so I need to be …
How is hypocrisy expressed? Is it through insincere motives?
Hypocrisy is an outward pretense masking an inner reality. Jesus condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. As a follower …
Are religious elites using Jesus as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.
Jesus is very direct about how religious leaders are focused on justifying what they teach to match their way of …
Are we really worshiping God? Do we mean it?
Jesus challenges us to stop acting. And, He is serious. He means it. Jesus can’t stand hypocrisy. How many times …
When has God had enough and given up?
Some thoughts on God’s faithfulness. When has God had enough and given up? When does God draw the line in the …
What is false doctrine? Where does it come from?
Yeshua [Jesus], the Son of God, is the Messiah. God sent him to live among us, die for our missing …
Does love keep a list of grievances against the other person?
Sometimes we keep a list of other people’s wrongs. We can recite it chapter and verse. It can actually be …
Is fasting really important? Does Jesus expect us to fast?
I am thinking this part of the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7) has been ripped out of most Evangelical and Protestant …
What is Christian freedom?
The Bible states emphatically that believers are free in the Messiah Jesus: “It is for freedom that the Messiah has …
What is exempt from the kingdom of Jesus the Messiah?
Who is Jesus? The very Son of God who, as man, died for us and is now resurrected into an …
Should we drink huge draughts of the Holy Spirit?
What excuse do I find to sing a song to God? I don’t need one. Everything is a reason to …
What does Jesus think about our politics?
This is a special message for our current toxic political and religious environment. Jesus has something to say about all …
Why is meekness required by God?
Yeshua [Jesus] is clear that I will be more than happy if I am meek and gentle. I will in …
