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.”
Tag Archives: live the Word
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!”
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.”
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”
Kim’s New Devotional Book is Available!
My new devotional book, A Journey Through Corinthians, is available and I want you to be the first to know!!! Order your copy today on Amazon at https://a.co/d/2UilBsg and please share this with your friends! So many of you have encouraged me to do this! Thank you for being a huge part by praying andContinue reading “Kim’s New Devotional Book is Available!”
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…”
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”
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”
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?”
Need some SOUL REST?
Matthew, the hated tax collector, is called to be a disciple (Matt 9:9) then Jesus sits down to eat with sinners and is questioned by the Pharisees (Matt 9:10-11). Jesus famously says, “But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice, For I did not come to call the righteous, butContinue reading “Need some SOUL REST?”
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!”
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…”
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 