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.”
Tag Archives: hope in Jesus
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.”
When we keep our Christianity to ourselves, we miss the peace!
As Jesus sends out His disciples, He tells them, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to theContinue reading “When we keep our Christianity to ourselves, we miss the peace!”
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?”
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…”
No one has out-sinned Jesus’ ability to forgive!
John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus asking why they and the Pharisees fast but Jesus’s disciples do not. (Matt 9:14-17) The Pharisees fasted for religious show (which is never the right reason). John’s disciples fasted to draw near to God, but Jesus explains in verse 15 that there was no need for His disciplesContinue reading “No one has out-sinned Jesus’ ability to forgive!”
Peace, be still!
I had woken up to a horrific storm. Wind howling. Sheets of rain. Booming thunder. The storm outside passed, but I couldn’t sleep. Another storm, the one affecting us all, the condition of our world, was on my mind. In Matthew 8, Jesus and his disciples get in a boat to cross the Sea ofContinue reading “Peace, be still!”
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.”
I know you can. But God, will you?
Matthew chapter 8 opens with a leper kneeling at Jesus’ feet and saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus replies, “I am willing; be made clean.” (8:3) And the Enduring Word quotes an old Scottish theologian, known to have wrestled in his early years through trials and doubts, who says,Continue reading “I know you can. But God, will you?”
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?”
God, please make them mercifully miserable.
I used to think if I just tried really hard to obey God, things would go well with me. You know, circumstantially, this world, well. But it seems there is a longer, eternal, better view. And when God says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the wayContinue reading “God, please make them mercifully miserable.”
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.”
Want some peace? Do this.
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 7:12) This is often called the Golden Rule. Jesus is summing up the Law and Prophets, in that, if we simply treated others in the way we want to be treated, weContinue reading “Want some peace? Do this.”
Because of our faith, expect this…
I want everyone I know to come to know Jesus. I tend to see everyone I meet with this in mind. But there are some people who treat Christianity, Christians, and the gospel with contempt and ridicule. Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before swine lestContinue reading “Because of our faith, expect this…”
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…”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 