Neighborly Compassion
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” Luke 10:25-28 (NLT) *** *** *** *** If you had to boil all of the commandments of God …
Lavish Compassion
“So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (HCSB) *** *** *** *** Being a prodigal means you’re wastefully extravagant. Look up the word in the dictionary and you’re likely to see a picture of the prodigal son sitting in the mud sharing a meal with pigs – the four-legged kind. He’s dining with swine because he’s blown through his entire inheritance and only has some …
In Pursuit Of Fairness
“The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.” Psalm 103:8 (NLT) *** *** *** *** My kids are obsessed with fairness. They argue over who gets the biggest piece, who gets to play the computer game longest, who gets to sit next to the window. I suspect your children or the children you know are the same way. One night during dinner, my kids were arguing over who would get the last slice of pizza and out popped the oft repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!” Okay, it had …
The Captivity Of Discontent
“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” Philippians 4:11–12 (HCSB) *** *** *** The Apostle Paul, who was blessed with great privileges – but also beaten and stripped of everything he had – taught that true contentment must be learned: “I know what it is to be in need, …
Leaving To Go Home
Simon Peter answered, “Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God!” John 6:68–69 (HCSB) *** *** *** *** Jesus fed the 5,000, and then Jesus walked on water. He showed the disciples that, with a mustard-seed faith, they too could step onto, and not into, the water, like Peter taking baby steps toward Jesus. But then Jesus said he was the Bread of Life – that his ministry wasn’t about giving the faithful a free lunch, all the …
Jesus Prays For You
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.” John 17:20 (HCSB) *** *** *** During the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for himself, and then he prayed for the disciples. And then, with the hour of his death approaching, he took the time to pray for you. He prayed for all those who would believe through the ministry of the disciples, and that means you. Jesus prayed for you, and this is what he said to God: “I pray not only for these, but also for those …
A Toddler’s First Steps
And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29–31 (HCSB) *** *** *** *** The disciples are over a mile from shore as a violent storm moves across the Sea of Galilee. All eyes are on a ghostly figure walking toward their boat. And then Jesus, walking …
Jesus Or The Boat?
“But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.” Matthew 14:24 (HCSB) *** *** *** *** Jesus needed time to refresh and so he sent his disciples on ahead, across the Sea of Galilee in one of their fishing boats. But storms sweep across this inland sea like tornados that emerge from nowhere. And now the disciples were in a fight with the Goliath-like forces of nature. Some of the disciples were fishermen. They understood the danger, and so they fought the storm long and hard, but made little …
Just Getting Along?
“Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) *** *** *** *** The Bible doesn’t tell us to just get along with other believers. Even the worst of enemies can bury their differences for a short time and be cordial toward one another for a mutual goal or benefit. But God calls us to a …
The “God-Chip” Empowerment
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) *** *** *** *** God empowers you to successfully do everything he asks to do. He gives you abilities to use in service to others, and he transforms you inwardly with a growing desire to serve others. The Holy Spirit within gives you the ability to tune into God, to hear him, to listen to him – and to talk with him. Please hear this: he didn’t create you for failure; he created you to succeed with the …
