• A Home Divided

    Scripture:  "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25, ESV) (cf. Luke 11:17) Observation: As Jesus heals people and casts demons out of them, some among those who witnessed the events accused Jesus of doing it by the power of the devil.  Our…

  • Mercy in the Family

    Scripture: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 12:7, ESV) Observation: The first part of this chapter of Matthew speaks of Jesus and His disciples walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath where they picked some of the grain to eat.  The Pharisees immediately began to criticize the disciples for doing something which was…

  • Healing the Pain of Grief

    Scripture: When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. (Matthew 14:13, NKJV) Observation: Matthew 14 begins with the sad story of the beheading of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod.  John had been thrown in prison for declaring Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife immoral,…

  • A Stoppable Flood

    Scripture: (Gen 9:15-17 NKJV)  "And I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. {16} "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between…

  • Who Do You Love Most?

    Scripture: Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his…

  • The Most Painful Death

    Scripture: While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."Luke 8:49-50 (NKJV) Observation: Jairus, a leader…

  • When the Storms Threaten

    Scripture: And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.  Luke 8:24 (NKJV) Observation: At this point in His ministry, Jesus seemed to be constantly followed by a crowd…

  • The Loving Parent

    Scripture: If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil,…

  • Don’t Live Under a Burden

    Scripture:  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."Matthew…

  • Love and Lead

    Scripture: Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works…