If you realize people are trying to force you into a tight predicament by asking a question that they are not interested in the real answer, we need to be slow to give an answer, sometimes praying and being mindful of how we say things can make a world of difference.  Read More

The reading for today consists mainly of two parables of Jesus. They are both directed at the Pharisees and Chief Priests. The first parable compares the actions of two sons. The first son expressed an unwillingness to obey his father initially but he changed his mind and obeyed the father’s instructions, but never followed through obedient actions.  Read More

MATTHEW 21:18-27SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS: Vs 22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Vs 27 - So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. OBSERVATIONS:Jesus was hungry and went over to a fig tree, found no fruit on it and then pronounced a curse on it and the tree died. This is a curious ...  Read More

The first 11 verses of Matthew 21 are called The Triumphal Entry. This event of the life of Christ is one of the few events that are found in all 4 Gospels. So we can conclude that this is a significant event not only to the people who were there but to us today as well.   Read More

Jesus showed us what “greatness” is all about and it is completely counter to our cultural understanding.  Read More

All those invited to God's kingdom receive equal blessings according to God's grace and will. Therefore, we should revere God's grace and will and lead our actions and attitudes with trust and obedience.   Read More

Who gets into the kingdom of heaven? This passage has a contrast between children who are welcomed and blessed by Jesus and a young man who goes away disappointed.  Read More

The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus by having Him choose sides in a theological argument about divorce. The two schools of thought which represented two opposing views of divorce.   Read More

We are to be persistent when seeking reconciliation; if our first private attempt fails, we should include 2-3 fellow Christian to get the facts straight. If that fails, we should involve the church.  Read More

Paul challenges us to take on the humility of Christ in Philippians 2:3-11.  Read More

Matthew 17:1-13SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”12 But I tell you that Elijah has al...  Read More

What we believe about Jesus is important. We cannot claim to be Christians unless we are willing to accept that Jesus is who he revealed himself to be.  Read More

The Pharisees and Sadducees wanting to test Jesus reminds me of the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. “Prove yourself!” In that passage Jesus tells them, “Don’t test the Lord your God.” Here he says, “You’re clever enough to look at the sky and predict the weather, but you’re too thick to see what’s right in front of your eyes.”  Read More

A Canaanite woman comes to Jesus requesting him to heal/deliver her daughter who was under the control of a demon. The fact that she was a Canaanite is important because Canaanites were enemies of Israel historically.  Read More

We must be careful that our best intentions don’t undermine the commands of God. We need to know we can be unschooled and be called by God to be told his secrets and intentions.   Read More

There was a severe storm in the middle of the night. It was 3 am in the morning, and the disciples had toiled all night long. They were tired, and terrified. Then they saw a man walking on water toward them, and they panicked. . .   Read More

We see that Herod misused his authority to fulfill the wicked desires of evildoers. In contrast, Jesus used His authority with compassion and love, meeting the spiritual and physical needs of His people.  Read More

This passage comes in context of many other parables of the kingdom of heaven…wheat and weeds, mustard seeds. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like discovering treasure that’s been buried.   Read More

You might wonder why Jesus says the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds and the largest of garden plants when there are smaller seeds and larger plants/trees.  Read More

There are no participation trophies here. Just Haves and Have Nots. You get some, more, or lots. Or nothing at all.  Read More

At first glance it may seem as if Jesus maybe neglecting His natural family but upon further observation what Jesus is really doing is redefining the true definition of the family of God.   Read More

Jesus is such a beautiful and powerful savior! It is amazing how he fulfilled the promise of God to send his servant who would demonstrate true justice, care for the broken and hurting, and give his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I love the picture of Jesus as the one who “will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.”   Read More

This passage deals with the Pharisees' attempts to exploit the law in order to charge Jesus with sin. Jesus exposed the shameful and despicable manner in which they perverted the heart of the Sabbath commandment by turning it into a vehicle of oppression rather than as a blessing to God’s people.  Read More

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].  Read More