Peter gets it. Then he doesn’t. He rightly states that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. (Matt 16:16). He then rebukes the Christ, the Son of the Living God, after Jesus tells the disciples He will suffer many things, be killed and rise on the third day (Matt 16:21-22). Can youContinue reading “When God does something, or allows something, you don’t like or understand…”
Tag Archives: hold on
Because of Who He is – All of the Word…
As Jesus stands in a city surrounded by throngs of idols, He asks His disciples who others say that He is (Matt 16:13) to which they give various answers. Jesus presses further and says, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:15) Peter famously replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of theContinue reading “Because of Who He is – All of the Word…”
Is that You?
For so many, for me, there have been things that have happened in our lives that shook us to the core but ended up helping us see Jesus walking closer to us. I think about the disciples who were afraid as Jesus walked toward them on the water. They initially thought He was a ghostContinue reading “Is that You?”
For the HARD thing you are facing…
Jesus loves us so very much that He didn’t keep Himself from the Cross or from feeling our hard, human emotions. In Matthew 13, Jesus talks about the kingdom of Heaven being like a treasure to be found, and a Pearl of great price worthy of the giving of all. (Matt 13:44-46) In these parables,Continue reading “For the HARD thing you are facing…”
When the answers aren’t clear…
Well, I’ve come to a portion of scripture where theologians disagree—the two parables – about mustard seed and leaven (Matt 13:31-35). Most believe these refer to Christianity spreading; but some argue these are a warning about evil mixing in when the church grows unusually large. Those who believe this passage is a warning point toContinue reading “When the answers aren’t clear…”
HE came for Ordinary People with Humble Hearts
Why did Jesus use parables? Jesus tells the Parable of the Soils (Matt 13) about a sower sowing seed and its propensity to come up based on the condition of the soil where the seed fell. The disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables and He explains that it has been given to themContinue reading “HE came for Ordinary People with Humble Hearts”
Knowing this, is your heart compelled?
The poor guy was demon-possessed, blind, and mute, and Jesus heals him (Matt 12:22). The crowds begin to wonder if Jesus could actually be the Son of David (the Messiah). But the Pharisees accused Jesus of having demonic power to which Jesus logically reasoned, “If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself. HowContinue reading “Knowing this, is your heart compelled?”
One day will be too late for those who thought they had more time.
The prophets said Jesus was coming, John the Baptist proclaimed He was here! The Kingdom of Heaven was powerfully advancing and those who have ears should listen! (Matt 11:15) As Jesus continues His earthly ministry, he warns those who had heard both he and John the Baptist offer them the chance to repent and chooseContinue reading “One day will be too late for those who thought they had more time.”
Sometimes, even the faithful feel faithless.
Even those who’ve walked closely with God, who’ve so clearly heard His voice, who’ve served Him faithfully for years, will face circumstances where they need to be encouraged to remember what they’ve seen and heard. Years of serving does not make those of us, who still live in this world full of trouble, immune fromContinue reading “Sometimes, even the faithful feel faithless.”
But there’s JOY!
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt 10:38) When Jesus spoke these words, those who heard them were well aware of their meaning. Crucifixion on a cross was a gruesome punishment already in practice. They had heard the nails. They had seen the bloodContinue reading “But there’s JOY!”
It’s so very difficult, but we know the way we should take.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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?”
When people God used… fail miserably
Matthew lists the twelve disciples by name and tells us Jesus gave them power to cast out unclean spirits, and heal those who were sick. (Matt 10:1-4). Judas was included in this list, and the text seems to suggest he also was given power to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick. As IContinue reading “When people God used… fail miserably”
Knowing THIS comforts me when I’m ridiculed
“And they ridiculed him.” (Matt 9:24) Matthew makes it clear.Jesus was ridiculed. The One who came to heal the sick, comfort the broken-hearted, and to die so we could live was ridiculed. He was ridiculed. He was made to feel ridiculous, and his good motives scorned. It hurts my heart. And if you’ve been tryingContinue reading “Knowing THIS comforts me when I’m ridiculed”
Why are so many young adults walking away?
Many young adults are walking away from the church–deciding the world has so much more to offer. Why? Why are so many young adults deciding Jesus really isn’t for them? Perhaps they are willing to “sell Him so cheaply” because they also bought into Him so cheaply. Have we failed a generation by entertaining themContinue reading “Why are so many young adults walking away?”
Demons and a bit of my story…
We have just seen Jesus calm the storm and the disciples ask, “Who can this be, that even the wind and seas obey Him?” (Matt 8:27) Matthew 8:28-34 describes Jesus encountering two demon-possessed men who, ironically, absolutely know Who He is and exclaim, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?”Continue reading “Demons and a bit of my story…”
With just a WORD!
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, she gets up and serves Him, then the crowds come, including the sick and the demon-possessed. Matthew tells us, “He drove out the spirits with a word” (Matt 8:16, NKJV) Can we stop right there?! Jesus drove out demonic spirits with a word! Only a word! Later, Matthew will describe howContinue reading “With just a WORD!”
Jesus Never Fails.
When our faith is strong, Jesus is there. When we fall apart, He is still there. Jesus had just finished teaching the famous parable about building our houses on the rock (Matt 7:24-27), heals a leper,(Matt 8:1-4) and then walks into Capernaum. He is quickly met by Jewish elders requesting help for a Centurion—a RomanContinue reading “Jesus Never Fails.”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 