This Ends Today!
Emptiness consumes you until one morning, you wake up and think to yourself, “I can’t do this anymore!”
Emptiness consumes you until one morning, you wake up and think to yourself, “I can’t do this anymore!”
In times of self-doubt, he often recalled those two women who were not defined by what they had done or how much they had to offer.
Did anyone respond to his invitation to linger over this scripture? What was its full context, and why did Jesus find it so significant?
We were merely seizing the opportunity to educate the people regarding their persistent belief in the resurrection of the dead.
This letter I am holding is testimony directly from someone who witnessed these wondrous events!
Someone who endured unimaginable persecution because of his faithfulness to this very testimony!
It was a hard truth that many who came face to face with Jesus would stumble and fall, just as he had once done. Paul only prayed that in their brokenness, they would take hold of the mercy and grace offered through Jesus, and then live every day in humble awe of that gift.
This unique image in the life of Jesus transcends stereotypes and encourages us to do the same.
Aware that she would be dismissed by the majority, she sought those with open hearts and minds – those who heard her voice and found her worthy of pursuit.
Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable for both your words and your actions.
These words breathed into the timeline of humanity would find those hearts appointed to receive them – those who stand at the banks of the river, and turn their eyes to heaven in dismay.
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
You may silence the people, but never the truth. Stones will cry out if these voices are stilled.
The more I thought about the unworthy servant of the parable, the more I came to believe that fear was only a small part of his problem. Such fear may have caused him to hesitate, but it led to neglect. That was a choice, and his guilt increased daily until the king returned.
Jesus breathed unfathomable power into the simplest of words, knowing that they would endure long after the High Priest had returned to dust!
All is within your power,
and yet, this cup remains;
and so, I beg you
Take this cup from me.
To my mother, he said, “You have been entrusted with much, and have proved yourself faithful. Your children will rise up and call you ‘Blessed.’”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” John softly spoke the words that both men had offered to others in times of brokenness.
Two boats… left there.
Jesus of Nazareth was not remotely predictable, and that perhaps intrigued me more than anything. While many others dismissed him or dreamed of silencing him, I dreamed of conversing with him.
Once again, the good people of Jericho rebuked the man who had forgotten his place in the community.
I allowed my fingers to trace her name. This woman was an important person in the history of our faith, and up until this morning, I had never heard of her.
“Listen to what I speak! Remember the unfailing love of the Mighty One of Israel! The Messiah will come to rescue his people!”
She allowed herself no time to nurse the pain. If the God of Israel had heard her prayers, she needed to get to the Rabbi.
It was vital that they learn to pray continuously, stand firm, and not give up when they encountered impossible or discouraging circumstances.
For those I loved, life went on, but I was no longer a part of it. I would catch a glimpse of their lives from time to time, always from a distance.
There is no wiser decision than trusting him. My choice is to follow him, to fully yield my heart and mind, and to place my life and future in his hands.
Could he deliver me from my current state? Surely, it was too late. I was trapped in the thicket, imprisoned by my own choices and, now, destroying others.
Now I was feeding others the same fruit that I knew had enslaved me. I was helpless to stop it, and part of me delighted in it.
I reached up, and a perfectly ripened fruit seemed to fall into my hand. I hesitated as I considered the gatekeeper’s words: “It will only bring you harm.”
I should have realized that he was with me from the very beginning, but I was too focused on myself to be aware of his presence.