As world events unfold, I can’t help but notice the countries involved, and am reminded of the alliances and events described in Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation. Are we seeing the “birth pains” of our Savior’s return? Are we approaching the End Days? I don’t know. But I know Jesus is coming back. Do you knowContinue reading “Are we seeing birth pains?”
Tag Archives: light in the darkness
Evil among us.
My heart is broken for Israel. What is happening there is nothing less than demonic. My eyes cannot unsee the horrific videos on Twitter. Our mainstream media has sanitized and politicized their reporting, but the reports and videos being posted on Twitter are gruesome. Oh friends, we have to pray. We have to understand thatContinue reading “Evil among us.”
Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.
Dealing with people is hard. We will eventually be offended, hurt and feel all the emotions of being sinned against. And this will come from those we love—family, friends, coworkers and fellow believers. But we can’t read Matthew 18:21-35 and think we have any loophole to hold on to unforgiveness. The debtor in this passageContinue reading “Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.”
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…”
Stepping in sin or practicing it?
There is a difference between stepping in sin and walking in it—practicing it as a habit or lifestyle. And those who walk in it, with no desire or effort to walk away from it, should be warned. Jesus said, “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of HisContinue reading “Stepping in sin or practicing it?”
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”
The Unpardonable Sin
As a little girl, I remember sitting at my grandparent’s house hearing the grown ups talk of the “unpardonable sin”. I would plug my ears as tight as I could with my fingers, knowing if I heard what it was, I’d surely do it. Even back then, I knew what a wandering, sin-prone, rebellious heartContinue reading “The Unpardonable Sin”
With Him or against Him?
Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me,” (Matt 12:30) Jesus is being exclusive here. He is deliberately being very, very clear. Every person needs to understand the magnitude of what He is saying here. It’s a matter of life and death. There is no middle ground. There is no way toContinue reading “With Him or against Him?”
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?”
Only a cup of water?
Jesus says, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matt 10:42) A cup of water.Only a cup of water.That’s not much. As humans, we are tempted to think those small things, those things notContinue reading “Only a cup of water?”
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!”
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
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?”
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!”
Need Encouragement? Try this…
My heart goes out to the weary and the scattered. I know it’s my Savior who has placed them on my heart because they are on His heart too. His Word tells me — In Matthew 9, Jesus has healed multitudes. He was moved with compassion for them because “they were weary and scattered, likeContinue reading “Need Encouragement? Try this…”
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”
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”
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!”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 