Jesus speaks encouraging then sobering words—“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 10:32-33) Jesus goes on to explain how His coming will impact the world—Continue reading “It’s so very difficult, but we know the way we should take.”
Tag Archives: eternal focus
What I remember when I want to quit.
I remember it was early morning, and I was weary and wondering if God really wanted me to keep studying and publicly sharing what He was teaching by speaking and writing. This was years ago. I sat praying and wrestling with how easy it seemed for some to only give the things of Christ aContinue reading “What I remember when I want to quit.”
Evil doers will not get away with their evil.
Jesus has been talking about persecution when He says, “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known”. (Matt 10:26) And for those of us who feel like there are persecutors who have gotten away with their wrong-doing, we can rest knowingContinue reading “Evil doers will not get away with their evil.”
When persecution comes from those closest to us.
When last discussing the book of Matthew, I shared about the warning of persecution Jesus gives His followers in Matthew 10:16-20. Jesus goes on to explain that this conflict and persecution will even come for His followers from their own families. (Matt 10:21-22) After all, Jesus faced persecution from his own family, so why wouldContinue reading “When persecution comes from those closest to us.”
When Persecution Comes
Jesus gives His followers insight into sharing the gospel. He tells them to evaluate the receptiveness of the hearers. “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” (Matt 10:14) The truth is, not everyone who hears the messageContinue reading “When Persecution Comes”
Need path-straightening direction?
I study the Bible in order to apply it to my life because I trust God’s ways are right and better than mine. I trust Him more than my emotions, my gut instinct, our culture, or how I was raised. I want to acknowledge Him in all my ways and count on Him to makeContinue reading “Need path-straightening direction?”
There is both good news and an URGENCY in this message…
As they preached and healed, the twelve disciples were to say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt 10:7) There is both good news and an urgency in this message. “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” should cause us to wake up and notice a powerful Kingdom is indeed at hand. This knowledgeContinue reading “There is both good news and an URGENCY in this message…”
One day in His will is better than a thousand elsewhere!
Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved with compassion for them and said to His disciples, “The harvest is truly plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”(Matt 9:37-38) The Enduring Words sheds light on the magnitude of this prayer we are toContinue reading “One day in His will is better than a thousand elsewhere!”
Celebrating sin is never loving
Recently, someone posted a comment suggesting my writing about biblical truth relating to sexuality leads to depression and suicide in those living lifestyles opposite of it. I typically don’t respond to negative comments, but I do want to address this as I think it’s relevant to where we are in our study of Matthew. IContinue reading “Celebrating sin is never loving”
As we do this, we can rest!
I ended up falling asleep for a few minutes on that float. It was glorious. I was tethered with a short rope to our dock and strapped in my life jacket, so I knew I could rest. Following God, through His Word, is another way I know I can rest. But the careless and thoseContinue reading “As we do this, we can rest!”
Those who keep following see miracles!
The crowds are growing, following Jesus, and a scribe comes up to Jesus and says, “Teacher, I’ll follow You wherever You go.” (Matt 8:18-19) And many want to follow those who can draw a crowd. Many hope to stand on a stage and have a little of that praise and adoration fall on them too.Continue reading “Those who keep following see miracles!”
You can stand on SOLID ground!
You can hear the Word of God and not do it. You can nod yes with your head and walk the opposite way with your feet. But Jesus told us, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”Continue reading “You can stand on SOLID ground!”
Are you discouraged in this crazy world?
Broad is the way that leads to destruction” (Matt 7:13) It seems that way more than ever. So many seem to be running away from Christ and His ways rather than toward Him. Few find the narrow gate that leads to life. (Matt 7:14) And so many of us who have found life in Christ,Continue reading “Are you discouraged in this crazy world?”
Following Jesus. It’s so very worth it.
Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way”. (see Matt 7:14) Makes you want to sign right up doesn’t it? 😳 When we choose to follow Christ, we are, in fact, choosing that which the world mocks. We are opting for a hard road full of trouble in this life. Jesus has always beenContinue reading “Following Jesus. It’s so very worth it.”
On JUDGING
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Heb 5:14 ESV If we want to grow in spiritual maturity, we are supposed to constantly practice discerning good from evil. Wouldn’t that require us to call some things “good” andContinue reading “On JUDGING”
You don’t have to worry…
It’s one of the most beautiful, comforting, quoted parts of the Bible —“ Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”(Matt 6:23-25)Continue reading “You don’t have to worry…”
How come just a little bit more is never enough?
Eternal or temporary? Am I storing up treasure in heaven or spinning my wheels collecting what will never last? What’s on your agenda for this new week? In talking about this, in Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus is asking us to examine our hearts. The One who knows us better than we know ourselves tells us weContinue reading “How come just a little bit more is never enough?”
When God repeats Himself
Jesus finished His famous instruction on prayer with “Amen” but then emphasizes, again, the importance of forgiveness. (Matt 6:14-15) Friends, when the God of the universe repeats Himself we need to pay attention! If we want to pray effectively and walk in freedom, if we want our Father to forgive us, we absolutely must forgiveContinue reading “When God repeats Himself”
Moving past what you may think you can’t …
“And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors”. (Matt 6:12, CSB) As we pray for the Lord to forgive our sins, we have to forgive those who have sinned against us. These things go hand in hand. And if we want to experience peace and freedom, if we want to prayContinue reading “Moving past what you may think you can’t …”
The small church in America
I’ve learned to keep my eye out for a steeple. It often peeks above a hill as I turn the corner and finally see the small church. Oh, the Lord has had me share in some big churches with parking lots like theme parks, but mostly it’s been the small churches where I’ve found myselfContinue reading “The small church in America”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 