“If you are reviled for the name of the Messiah, you are happy, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you” ~Peter
I should expect to be persecuted. Jesus said it. it is normal for a disciple. Why? Because following Jesus and …
Author Archives: Michael Wilson
“Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” ~Religious elites to Jesus
Am I like the religious elites, constantly challenging Jesus? Am I a know it all trying to catch him breaking …
“Son though he was, Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” ~Author of Hebrews
Obedience to the will of God demonstrates the reality of a person’s faith in Jesus the Messiah. I must learn …
“A woman of gentle grace gets respect, but men of rough violence grab for loot.” ~King Solomon
I am called to gentle and humble. Jesus is clear with me that I should meek. I should look to …
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear. I am to ask. He says, ask and you will receive. I am to ask in His …
“As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met him” ~Mark
Jesus is on the move. He takes a boat to the other side of the sea. Am I on the …
“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the MASTER?” ~Jeremiah
Jesus is clear. I am to give directly to the poor. If they ask, I am to give. If they …
“And we’re here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul lays out the core message of good news for me. Jesus died for me and was raised …
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” ~Apostle Paul
So what is grace? It is the gift of God that brings joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness into our life. I …
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” ~Jesus
The Jesus manifesto continues. Jesus takes on oaths and swearing. Jesus is clear on this. I am to say yes …
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” ~Apostle Paul
Creation matters. Atheists reject God and reject God as the creator. If they don’t, their whole worldview collapses. In reality, …
I need to hang out with the “wrong people” more.
People come in and out of my life. I participate in ministries that focus on the outcasts. I need to …
“We call Jesus Master by the Spirit of God.” ~Apostle Paul
Master (Lord) is a title that signifies Jesus the Messiah’s absolute authority and the basis on which people may know …
“Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” ~Jesus
I can get confused. Nicodemus did for sure. His whole world was the bible and theology. He is a member …
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” ~Apostle John
Jesus is the Son of God. I have a witness that Jesus gives me eternal life. That life is found …
“About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.” ~Luke
Am I a follower of the Way of Jesus? Do I see myself as a follower of the Way, a …
“God, for your sake, help me! Use your influence to clear me. Listen, God—I’m desperate. Don’t be too busy to hear me.” ~King David
I am desperate some days. I don’t see a way out. God doesn’t seem to care. What should I do? …
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” ~Apostle John
The simple answer is because God says so. That is it. It is that simple. Jesus commands that I must …
“For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” ~Author of Hebrews
I must pay attention. It is easy to lose focus. I drift away some days. Yikes. It is sad. I …
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” ~King David
Those whose commitment from the heart is shown in practical, often sacrificial, care, love and service. They are a source …
“Jesus often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” ~Luke
Jesus was constantly ministering to the people. He had a stunning level of compassion and stamina. It was a lot. …
“Who do people say that I am?” ~Jesus
Jesus’ reluctance to be known as the Messiah is probably due to Jewish misunderstandings of the Messiah’s true role. One …
“Liars secretly hoard hatred; fools openly spread slander.” ~King Solomon
This puts an interesting twist on the motivation of liars and slanderers. I must pay attention here. When I lie, …
“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” ~Jesus
There is apostasy and there is atheism (and its nephew agnosticism). Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance …
“Because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus gave the apostles great power. It was stunning. The sick were being healed. What was their message, based on …
“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.” ~Jesus
Am I listening to Jesus? Do I hear what He is saying? Do I have ears to hear? Of course, …
“That’s when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John’s brother.” ~Luke
I live in a world where popularity ratings mean so much. Consider politics. All about polling. Social media? How many …
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” ~Apostle John
Here is the wise warning from the Apostle John. I must pay attention. God doesn’t tolerate worship of anything but …
“He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear that we are to help the poor. We are to give to them directly. I am not …
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” ~Jesus
I need to get on board with what God wants. It is never about me. It is always about God. …
I get lots of invitations to do things. There is only one that is worth a hoot. It is the one from Jesus. It is the best ever. It is an invitation oozing with good news and love.
There is so much that goes into our life. But what I need to focus on is what kind of …
Who is Jesus? Is Jesus God?
I want to know who Jesus is. It is a burning question for many of us. This isn’t anything new. …
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Master Jesus the Messiah, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”
In Christian thought, the act by which God and man are brought together in personal relationship. The term is derived …
“The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” ~Jesus
I get how difficult it is to predict where the wind is going to blow. I live in Texas and …
“Pray for those who persecute you.” ~Jesus
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” ~King David
There is a lot to be said about atheism and skepticism in general. I am very active on social media …
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ~Apostle Paul
I want more hope in my life. It supercharges my faith. It is the energizer bunny to me. It takes …
“When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, and let all God’s angels worship him.” ~Author of Hebrews
Jesus is the Son of God. That has been established. I must always start there. God brought Him into the …
“Man must not live on bread alone.” ~Jesus
As Jesus begins His ministry, He is full of the Holy Spirit. That is a huge thing because He is …
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Master, make me to dwell in safety.” ~King David
I can count on peace. I can count on sleep. I can count on rest. I don’t need a “My …
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on?” ~Lady Wisdom
The call here is for the confused, the simple and ignorant to have dinner with Lady Wisdom. It is easy …
“In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” ~Apostle Paul
You have a passion for Jesus. You want to do the right thing for His disciples. You believe in a …
“Immediately the religious elites went out and started plotting with the political elites against him, how they might kill him.” ~Mark
Conspiracy theories are interesting. People get intrigued by them. This one really existed. The religious and political elites of the …
“They brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.” ~Apostle Matthew
Here is good news. Jesus heals the sick. Jesus does it all the time. Jesus is in the healing business. …
“No one is good — except God alone” ~Jesus
God gives us wonderful gifts, just like any father would do. If I ask for bread, will God give me …
“Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” ~Jesus
The Bible acknowledges the fact of homelessness and instructs us to help those who are poor and needy, including those …
“Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” ~John the Baptizer
John the baptizer is speaking the truth. I must be careful to align myself with Jesus and not the religious …
“Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” ~Disciples of Jesus
The authority of Jesus is stunning. Since He created everything, everything obeys Him. I am in awe. I am amazed. …
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word.” ~Apostle Peter
There is a really big deal here. Deceit is defined as “the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing …
God is right beside me. God is keeping me steady. God is keeping me on track. Everything will be wrapped up by Jesus. It is all on course.
As I think about it, I don’t need a thing. I’m good. I’ve got it all. I have God’s gifts. …
“How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” ~Apostle Paul
There is much controversy in our culture today surrounding followers of Jesus who own businesses being forced to photograph gay …
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” ~Apostle John
I must understand that God loves Jesus. God has given everything over to Him. Jesus has all the power and …
“There are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the good news of the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
I must be careful. It is easy to get confused and stumble around. I have been brought out of slavery …
“Why do you brag of evil, “Big Man”? God’s mercy carries the day.” ~King David
I must be very careful. Am I bragging about evil? Of course not! Really? Do I think I am a …
“Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Highest God. “Melchizedek” means “King of Righteousness.” “Salem” means “Peace.” So, he is also “King of Peace.” ~Author of Hebrews
I serve a righteous King. Jesus is also the King of Peace. As my King, Jesus reigns over peace, not …
“Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Master be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.” ~King David
Humility is the correct way to come into God’s presence. Someone who knows Jesus and follows Him will be growing …
“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with changing your mind and actions.” ~John the baptizer
John the baptizer isn’t pulling any punches with me. God is serious. God is God. I can’t flee. That is …
Does God need our permission or approval?
God is God. His character and His attributes have always existed. God is eternal. God IS! God does things that …
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear. Jesus gives us power and authority. We are the ambassadors of Jesus here on earth. We speak …
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: … strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, and anything similar. I am warning you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” ~Apostle Paul
I get jealous. I get angry. One can lead to the other. The parable of the prodigal son is a …
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” ~The crowds about Jesus casting out a demon
When we are delivered from demonic possession, we become whole and are healed. The stunning power of Jesus makes it …
“Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” ~Religious elites
Is Jesus the Messiah? We struggle with that and the ones who struggle the most are religious elites. I must …
“Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.” ~James
Wealth and money is very elusive. Eventually all that will matter is eternity with God. We all know we can’t …
“God made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
The message of the Messiah’s sacrifice for missing God’s goal (aka sin) and His resurrection (the message that Paul refers …
“The Fear-of-God means hating Evil, whose ways I hate with a passion — pride and arrogance and crooked talk.” ~King Solomon
It is an interesting question. Do I hate evil? Should I hate evil? Am I passionate in my hate for …
“And the government will rest on His shoulders.” ~Isaiah
Consider this as we start. I know I must adjust my thinking but that is what Jesus always challenges me …
“Stretch out your hand.” ~Jesus
I don’t want Jesus looking at me in anger. That is not a good thing. I don’t want to be …
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains.” ~King David
There are many reasons to be thankful about the wonderful world around us. God is good and in a good …
“It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites!” ~Apostle Peter
There is good news. I hear it directly from Peter. It is the truth. Jesus came for all of us, …
“You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” ~Moses
We honor and respect our governing authorities because they exist by the very will of God. Such respect must be …
“I, the Master, am your healer.” ~God
God heals. Jesus heals. The word of God teaches us that God is in the healing business. Sometimes we pray …
“Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” ~Apostle Matthew
John calls on the religious and the religious elites to confess missing God’s goal (aka sin) and to be baptized. …
“Large crowds followed Jesus from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.” ~Apostle Matthew
It is stunning. There is the ebb and flow to those who follow Jesus. At any given point, it was …
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.” ~William James
We all make assumptions. We do it all the time. We like to prejudge. It helps us filter out a …
“Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” ~Author of Hebrews
Now this is some great news. I have people watching over my soul. How cool is that? It is way …
“The great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you.” ~Jesus
Some days I get excited about the wrong thing. What matters is God’s complete rule in my life. What matters …
“May the name of our Master Jesus be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Master Jesus the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
Now here is some good news. I can magnify God by glorifying Him. So how does that happen? What is …
Jesus holds everything together by what He says. Those are very powerful words. I stand amazed at the stunning power of the words of Jesus.
God has been speaking to us for a very long time. We can go all the way back to the …
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
God has a plan for me. Now that is some very good news. I am shouting for joy over that. …
“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ~Jesus
Nicodemus doesn’t get what Jesus is saying. I am the same way some days. I hear Him but I don’t …
“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Jesus purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure.” ~Apostle John
Holiness comes from God and specifically the sacrificial death of Jesus for our having missed God’s goal for our lives. …
“Generous in love — God, give grace! Huge in mercy — wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down.” ~King David
David has committed a terrible sin with Bathsheba in committing adultery and then having her husband killed in battle. David …
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God.” ~Apostle Paul
I have to be careful to not fall into the trap that anything I have is the result of something …
“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” ~God
Jesus is the Son of God. That is the main thing about the main thing. There are many messengers of …
“To the degree that you share the sufferings of the Messiah, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” ~Apostle Peter
Literally, Peter wrote, “Be constantly rejoicing!” In fact, he mentioned joy in one form or another four times in these …
“Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you’ll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it!” ~King Solomon
Wisdom is useless unless I act on it. Wisdom is about knowing, understanding and doing. Acting on wisdom leads to …
“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” ~Jesus to Saul
Saul is on a mission. It is not a mission for God though. The religious elites were out to destroy …
God knew that through His Son, He would make us whole. But not only whole but holy. That is stunningly good news.
We start with saying that God is blessed. I know that He is stunning in His beauty. It is the …
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” ~Jeremiah
Jesus challenges me to be faithful. Loyalty and commitment within human relationships is important in the life of God’s people. …
“When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.” ~Jesus
What joy there is in bringing children into this world. Consider this from Jesus: When a woman is in labor, …
“John the Baptizer went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of changing our mind for the forgiveness of missing God’s goal” ~Luke
John is on the move. He is covering all the territory. John has a message for me. I need to …
“He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known.” ~King David
God is God. God is to be honored and His name is to be revered. This is a shock to …
“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” ~Jesus
Legalistic rule following can cause me to miss God’s goal for my life. Jesus warns me against it. it is …
“And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” ~Luke
Jesus is amazing. I am constantly stunned at what He did for me and how He teaches me. Jesus is …
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” ~Jesus
Jesus warns us in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) where we hear Him say “Beware of the false prophets, who come …
“We also exult in God through our Master Jesus the Messiah, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” ~Apostle Paul
When we accept Jesus as our Master and commit to be a disciple, we are ecstatic. Joy is ours beyond …
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” ~Nicodemus
One of the religious elites is curious about Jesus. He comes to Jesus at night. It can be a private …
“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” ~Jesus
Resurrection of my body, after death, will happen. So is the eternal life I have right now as a follower …
“The God of gods — it’s God! — speaks out, shouts, “Earth!” welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west.” ~Asaph
We have an amazing God. God is God. God is God of gods. God reigns supreme. I must get that …
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” ~Author of Hebrews
There is a big thing I need to start with. It is always the central point. Jesus is the Son …
