Year: 2020

“Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” … Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:27-29 Does it seem strange that the blind man in this story can’t see clearly after Jesus first touches him? If that seems strange,…

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Cold and flu viruses aren’t the only things that are contagious; attitudes are also: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Researchers call it “emotional contagion,” and it affects every aspect of life in the same way a rotten apple corrupts the whole barrel. A relationship expert…

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Psalms 33:3 To “play skillfully” means to do it well and strive for excellence when it comes to your God-given talents. One author puts it this way: “There’s a remarkable difference between 99 percent and 100 percent commitment. At 100 percent you see…

“A man with leprosy … begged him … , ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ … ‘I am willing,’ [Jesus] said.” Mark 1:40-41 In this episode of Jesus’ ministry, Mark is showing that Jesus’ priorities are not the same as ours. People are looking all over for him, hoping to be healed.…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 You can meet Jesus. We read, in the Gospel stories about many people who met Jesus face-to-face during his teaching and healing ministry, before his death and…

“The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” Luke 10:1 The seventy-two met Jesus. There were twelve disciples who followed Jesus closely for most of his ministry. And in Luke 10 we read about seventy-two more people who…

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 To have a balanced life you must live by these two Scriptures: “God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him” (1 Peter 5:7). “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring…

“I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Simon Peter met Jesus. I know several friends and church members who say that besides Jesus, Simon Peter is their ­favorite person in the Bible because they can…

“He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree…” Luke 19:3-4 Zacchaeus met Jesus. He was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed up into a tree in order to watch as Jesus passed by.…