Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?

Matt 4:23-25 Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons and crowds began to follow Him. He healed the sick AND cast out demons Demons. And I wonder, I know we have the sick among us today, but what about the demon-possessed? Do we walk past those who are carrying demons inside of them? Are thoseContinue reading “Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?”

You ready?

Matthew records the calling of Peter and Andrew (Matt 4:18-20). Jesus tells them He will make them fishers of men and they immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, Jesus calls Zebedees sons, James and John, and they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Jesus (Matt 4:21-22). TheyContinue reading “You ready?”

Societies who forsake righteousness are doomed. But there’s an even greater problem.

Jesus hears John the Baptist has been arrested and leaves Nazareth, to live in Capernaum (fulfilling yet more prophecy, see Matt 4:12-16). He then begins His earthly ministry with the word, “Repent.” “”And from then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of Heaven has come near.”” (Matt 4:17) Let’s understand this —hisContinue reading “Societies who forsake righteousness are doomed. But there’s an even greater problem.”

Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.

“Allow it for now” (Matt 3:15, CSB) John the Baptist was protesting when he was asked to baptize Jesus, then Jesus tells him to “allow if for now” so prophecy could be fulfilled. John obeyed.Jesus was baptized.And God was fulfilling His plan. We are to obey the Lord even when we don’t understand just howContinue reading “Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.”

Weak men who did great things…

Just how much of what I do in this day will last for eternity? (Matt 3:8-12) As repented believers we are to produce fruit. Good fruit. Eternal, lasting fruit in keeping with the great gift we have been given. It occurred to me that C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael,Continue reading “Weak men who did great things…”

Is this on your list this week?

It’s Monday morning, I’ve got a list for the week. I bet you do too. But my early morning study tells me I’m to bear fruits in keeping with repentance. (Matt 3:7-10). One day, we will all give an account for what we’ve done with the life we’ve been given by the blood-bought sacrifice ofContinue reading “Is this on your list this week?”

Evil will not win!

I see it. Evil seems to be winning all around us. It’s hard. I don’t understand it. But it’s not something new with our culture. Evil has been with us for a long time. Matthew 2 details the fulfillment of the prophecy of “Rachel weeping for her children” as Herod slaughters countless male babies underContinue reading “Evil will not win!”

Let’s read Matthew

I’m not sure what led me to the book of Matthew but I’m drawn there. I shared a few posts, then turned to Easter and some other subjects for awhile. But I find myself again holding the words from the tax collector Jesus called friend and made His disciple. I’m excited to pick up theContinue reading “Let’s read Matthew”

First, this…

I can’t turn on the TV, pick up my phone or hit the gym. I wake up early to avoid even those I love. My wandering heart wanders too much to do anything else before I pick up my Bible. It is not that I’m trying harder to be a better Christian or check offContinue reading “First, this…”

Worrying?

There it is again. The Mary/Martha passage. I know it.You probably know it too.I’m tempted to move right past it. Except. I know it is meant for me.Again.😳 “Kim, Kim, you are (still) worried about many things.” Still. How I wish I was more like Mary, and less like Martha, in this encounter with JesusContinue reading “Worrying?”

When your MOOD SWINGS!

Have you ever had a mood swing? Have your emotions ever flip-flopped? Mine sure have! And Naomi seems to be able to relate as well! After Ruth meets Boaz, she goes home and tells Naomi all that has happened (see Ruth 2). Naomi says, “Blessed be the name of the LORD, who has not forsakenContinue reading “When your MOOD SWINGS!”

What truly divides us.

The biblical account of Ruth and Naomi has so much for us as we face such division in our world. This unlikely bond between these two women (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) was uniquely deep, and special, and crossed strong cultural barriers. As Naomi pleaded for Ruth to leave her and go back to her family, RuthContinue reading “What truly divides us.”

Don’t trust yourself

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) God is for us, not against us. I recently heard a pastor say, “Don’t you think if God we’re out to get you, He would have gotten you by now?!” We laugh. We say weContinue reading “Don’t trust yourself”

He is RISEN!! Go and tell!

The ground shook.The angel appeared.The stone rolled away.The soldiers fell like dead men.The grave empty.Death defeated!The Way Made!Victory complete. JESUS IS RISEN! “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. John 20:6 Oh, believer, you may not have seen the resurrection with your human eyes, but you know it is all true.Continue reading “He is RISEN!! Go and tell!”

SILENCE

Silence. That day after the Savior had died. The pounding of the nails, the jeers of the crowd, His cries of pain. Now Silent. His body in the tomb. What now? They surely longed to hear His comforting voice. But Silence. They had left jobs, families, everything to follow Him. Now what? Silence. Nothing.But.Silence. Confused,Continue reading “SILENCE”

The Question No One Can Answer For You

As the religious leaders and the crowd cheered for His crucifixion, Jesus was brought before Pilate, who finding no fault in Him, asked the question we all ultimately must ask ourselves— “What then shall I do with this Jesus who is called Christ?” Matt 27:22 The question is meant to be personal. No one couldContinue reading “The Question No One Can Answer For You”

Hold on!

I have shaken my head so much my neck hurts. I’ve tried to convince myself things aren’t as bad as they seem, but I’m secretly thinking they are worse than we all know. Yes, the world is a dark place, but we, who call ourselves believers, need to diligently remind ourselves of what we believe.Continue reading “Hold on!”

“Well, what if the dollar collapses?”

Our family had been talking about news story after news story, hard things, when one of us remarked,, “Well, what if the dollar collapses?” To which my son, Ben, said, “Well that might be a good thing as it would surely bring revival to this country as hard days often do.” And, honestly, I thoughtContinue reading ““Well, what if the dollar collapses?””

When we don’t understand.

I sat crying yesterday as the news of the Nashville school shooting came, not just from my television, but from family and friends. My brother-in-law grew up with the dad of one of the little girls who was killed. My sister-in-law had gone to college with him when he started a ministry there. My husbandContinue reading “When we don’t understand.”

These people truly love you

I heard a pastor once say, “You can’t preach peace to those who walk in disobedience.” The truth is, as much as we want others to experience the rivers of peace we know because of Christ; those who insist on walking their own way, in disobedience to the ways of God, will never experience theContinue reading “These people truly love you”