Is tit-for-tat retaliation the way to go?
Our culture tends to be one of retaliation. Someone hurts us, we envision a way to get them back. There …
Our culture tends to be one of retaliation. Someone hurts us, we envision a way to get them back. There …
How does Jesus expect us to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. Can we jump up and down …
Why this is important: We can’t make peace if we don’t have peace ourselves. That is the first task, …
Why this is important: Jesus doesn’t want us to play a game of hide and go seek. Now think …
Jesus challenges us to not retaliate in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). It is in our core, when someone hurts …
What is our mission? Our mission, given to us by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should …
Why it matters: Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!! OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s …
What matters the most: Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are …
Why this matters to God: This is tough stuff. It doesn’t feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us …
Jesus [Yeshua] challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. Jesus challenges us to grow up. Grow …
In listening to Yeshua [Jesus] , much of what He is saying goes against the grain of what I have …
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer it …
It happens all the time. Someone uses us for their own advantage. We get upset. It’s just not right. We …
Jesus challenges us to mean what we say. Religious jargon and trite sayings are useless. It is the power of …
Jesus, God’s Son, shows how He completes what was started in the Old Covenant (Testament). Jesus is the completer in …
There are times Jesus will do things and suggest that it not be shared with others. It is a God …
Jesus says: “Happy [blessed] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The commendation of peacemakers – …
God means what He says. What God says is important. What He says is not to be trivialized in any …
All heaven is applauding when I get in trouble for speaking the truth of the government of God. God is …
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
Jesus doesn’t want us to play a game of hide and go seek. Now think about it. God is light. …
Jesus loves the word of God. He also knows the legalism can be taken to the extreme. I certainly have …
Jesus challenges us to not retaliate. It is in our core, when someone hurts us, to strike back. Some, famously, …
This is tough stuff. It doesn’t feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us in trouble. Jesus has …
Jesus challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. Jesus challenges us to grow up. Grow up! …
In listening to Jesus, much of what He is saying goes against the grain of what I have thought brings …
Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing …
Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are living right in God. …
There is no doubt that poverty’s reach is both widespread and devastating. God’s people cannot be indifferent toward those in …
Jesus, God’s Son, shows how He completes what was started in the Old Covenant (Testament). Jesus is the completer in …
God means what He says. What God says is important. What He says is not to be trivialized in any …
All heaven is applauding when I get in trouble for speaking the truth of the government of God. God is …
My mission, given to me by God, is to love. In order to love, I need to learn how to …
Jesus is clear what love looks like. My words need to reflect His love in me. This is a core …
When I was a young man, we used the phrase “just suck it up”. We used it a lot. We …
The Jesus manifesto continues. Jesus takes on oaths and swearing. Jesus is clear on this. I am to say yes …
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
Full disclosure. I have been divorced and have remarried. Jesus has some very clear instructions on marriage and divorce. This …
I get angry. I say things I shouldn’t and clearly regret later on. I say them though. It isn’t pretty. …
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. …
I sure feel like this some days. I do good (or at least I think I do). What do I …
Jesus is all about forgiveness. That is the reason God sent him to us. I need forgiveness and the good …
Jesus makes a declaration about His followers in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). We are the light of …
Can I pass the test? Let’s call it the mercy test. Jesus orders me to be merciful. Am I? Jesus …
We have a great promise from Jesus the Messiah. It is joy and happiness. Jesus wants me to have joy. …
There was a pastor who became involved immorally with a married woman in his congregation. They each divorced their respective …
I avoid some things because they sound very geeky and smack of theology. Jesus talks about sanctification. Maybe I need …
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. This …
The Jesus Manifesto continues with Jesus laying out for me what I need to be like in this world. I …
The purpose of the Law was, basically, to bring us to the Messiah. It is essential to start here. Once …
Jesus is clear. His apostle John is clear. My heart testifies to me what I ought to do. There …
There is much to be said about self denial and the scripture repeats this theme over and over. Jesus is …
There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living for a disciple of Jesus. For a disciple …
How did Jesus expect me to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. I’m jump up and down for …
Is my heart pure? That is an essential issue to address. Jesus lays it out in His manifesto (Matthew 5 — …
Jesus clearly calls me to do good works! The purpose of my good works is to glorify the amazing and …
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell …
What is my mission? My mission, given to me by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should be my …
God’s promises to the meek is good news! Humility is the name of the game. Jesus challenges me to be …
Goodness and good works are acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. I can be good …
I want mercy in my life. Compassion is a wonderful gift from God. I am challenged by Jesus to replicate …
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer it …
Jesus continues with His radical Manifesto. We all know what it is like to be hungry or thirsty. We can’t …
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
“Happy (aka Blessed) are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:9 (NASB) Jesus continues on with his …
Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The commendation of peacemakers – It …
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a …
Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | Matthew 5:4 (ESV) Jesus is ushering in the Kingdom of …
It is a challenge. I see the homeless. Do I give them some money? Won’t they just use it to …
Happy (aka Blessed) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:3 (English Standard Version) …
Jesus intends for us to have great relationships with people in our world. That is His goal for us. Jesus …
Jesus is clear about using “religious language”. Don’t do it. I should be genuine. I should use contemporary and understandable …
Light does amazing things. It is very hard to replicate in a photo what it is doing some days. Jesus …
I love to eat. Almost anything, anytime. There is nothing like a great meal with family or friends. I have …
Am I caring enough? Am I full of care? That is what it is all about. Jesus had this focus. …
I have enemies. Jesus knows that and is clear on it. I have done things to offend others. They don’t …
God is so very generous to me. Although I don’t deserve it, He lavishes me with every gift imaginable. I …
What is permanent in life? Not the things I think most days. Jesus is clear however. The 2 most important …
All that striving is useless!! Can I be content with who I am? Is that it? That is all there …
Jesus has a standard that is different than what religious leaders try to make us follow. His standard is one …
Jesus loves the word of God. He also knows the legalism can be taken to the extreme. I certainly have …
Are people putting me down because of my following Jesus? Do I make others uncomfortable with my passion of our …
Jesus is clear on what God has said. His word is like Him. It is here to stay. Nothing can …
Jesus is very clear. There is no doubt about what I am to do. The choice is will I obey Him? …
Jesus is tough on religious leaders. He doesn’t cut them any slack. He challenges me that I can do better than how …
Jesus knows that following Him may not be a “bed of roses”. Jesus tells us about it in advance. We …
Jesus knows something and he wants religious people to understand it. Who we are is a result of what we …
Jesus demands that I get my life in order before I can see God in a real way. He knows it is not …
Jesus has a great way to simplify what He is saying. Jesus is very direct and doesn’t beat around the bush. So, Jesus challenges me to …
I have heard from Jesus to be like a child. I also hear Him challenge me to grow up. Which is it? Be …
Jesus challenges me to do things differently than the way people of this world do things. He is not subtle at …
Jesus, the Messiah, demands that I care. He insists on it if I want to live in His world. Being full of …
Jesus demands that I take His way seriously. There is nothing frivolous about it at all. My job, my mission, …
Am I starving for God? Do I have a good appetite for Him? Is all I think of my next …
We live in a culture of competition. It’s a fact. It’s not pretty. And, worse, we seem to thrive on …
Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, challenges us to be radical in our love for God. Do I want to …