Matthew 23 is nothing short of a brutal indictment of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus calls them hypocrites and fools. He says they do what they do to be seen by others. He says they put heavy burdens on others that they themselves do not follow. Jesus says, they look good on the outside butContinue reading “A BRUTAL indictment.”
Tag Archives: test everything
Louder Lies
Have you ever noticed the enemy’s lies get louder as the trial gets harder? Somehow in the midst of most every trial there seems to be temptation to go our own way and fall prey to sin and its’ consequences. Our enemy, the devil, does not fight fair. In fact, when trials consume us, heContinue reading “Louder Lies”
Let’s don’t miss this. In the early part of Matthew 19, Jesus gives some very important instruction. He says, “He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.” (Matt 19:4) God is very clear that He made two, and only two, genders. To reject this is to rebel against your Creator. WeContinue reading
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.”
Those who solely follow their feelings are their own gods.
Instead of looking for ways to follow God closer, many, even many who call themselves Christians, look for loop-holes. They quote scriptures that affirm their feelings and ignore the ones that don’t. In all actuality, they are their own gods who foolishly trust their hearts—hearts that the Bible tells us are deceitful above all things.Continue reading “Those who solely follow their feelings are their own gods.”
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…”
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”
Beware!
Hard, timely words of warning. Beware. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”(Matt 7:15) “The basic fault of the false prophet is self interest.” (Barclay) It can be expressed by a desire for gain or an easy life, a desire for prestige, or the desireContinue reading “Beware!”
A few thoughts to help us discern our hearts regarding judging
I know many of you, who follow this page, have hearts that love the Lord and want to follow Him closer. Most also know, the Bible tells us our hearts can be deceitful above all things and hard to understand (Jer 17:9). Yesterday, we looked at Matthew 7:1 about judging. I really like what theContinue reading “A few thoughts to help us discern our hearts regarding judging”
The “be perfect verse” and the freedom it actually gives!!
Matthew 5 ends with Jesus saying, “Therefore you shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (v 48) He completely knocks the wind out of us who compare ourselves to others and feel like we’ve obtained some sort of religious superiority. For anytime my eyes turn to the Lord, as my standard,Continue reading “The “be perfect verse” and the freedom it actually gives!!”
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?”
The enemy promises freedom but delivers slavery. Test everything.
The enemy is always tempting us and sometimes he will even use God’s Word in his attempts to get us off track. The enemy tempted Jesus in the wilderness to take things in his own hands for his own satisfaction (you’re hungry, turn these stones to bread) (Matt 4:3) Jesus’ human belly was surely growlingContinue reading “The enemy promises freedom but delivers slavery. Test everything.”
What if he said this?
“Brood of Vipers” …can you imagine being called that? Imagine the preacher walking up to the podium, looking the congregation square in the eye and saying, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We haveContinue reading “What if he said this?”
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!”
Have you ever laughed out loud as you’ve read your Bible?
I laughed out loud as I read my Bible. This doesn’t usually happen but sometimes, I find myself chuckling. Luke described the time Jesus healed a boy possessed by a demon after His disciples failed to do so. Jesus, then, prophesies His coming death and steadfastly sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Along theContinue reading “Have you ever laughed out loud as you’ve read your Bible?”
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.”
Refute the lies. Walk in TRUTH!
A man puts on a dress and is called a woman. Another man stuffs himself in a swimsuit and wins a woman’s swimming championship. Thousands walk across our border and government officials call it “secure”. I could go on and on with lie after lie we’ve been fed this past year —origins of CoVid, effectivenessContinue reading “Refute the lies. Walk in TRUTH!”
When you don’t understand the hard things happening in this world
Matthew 2 has always bothered me. I don’t like the fulfillment of the prophecy of “Rachel weeping for her children” as Herod slaughters countless male babies under two years old. Babies. I’ve wondered why God would let this bloody, horrific event take place. But to stay stuck in this is to have my theology offContinue reading “When you don’t understand the hard things happening in this world”
I woke up early thinking of those I love in this hard world…
I woke up early thinking about my young adults, and several others that I love like my own. They are trying to make big decisions in a hard world. They are fighting discouragement as many of the normal things, we who are older, took for granted, now seem so very far out of reach. TheyContinue reading “I woke up early thinking of those I love in this hard world…”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 