Category: Bible Reading & Meditation
“If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Sodom, it would be standing today.” –Matthew 11:23 Sodom has gone down in history as infamous for homosexual rape and related perversions (Gn 19:5). Jesus assures us that His miracles would have resulted in Sodom’s conversion (Mt 11:23). He also solemnly assures us that we who believe in Him can do greater by far than He (Jn 14:12). This means we can do miracles which would lead to the conversion of cities and countries even worse than Sodom. So let’s stop lamenting the wickedness of the world and start accompanying...
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“He who will not take up his cross and come after Me is not worthy of Me.” –Matthew 10:38 Jesus is a real Person. He came from heaven to earth, and lived among human beings (Jn 1:14). During the three years of His public ministry, Jesus often had no place to lay His head and no home in which to sleep (Lk 9:58). He suffered rejection and intense persecution. He suffered physically and emotionally (Lk 19:41; Jn 19:33-35). Finally, He was unjustly condemned to death. For our salvation, He carried a real cross, was nailed upon it, and died for...
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“The Lord took me from following the flock.” –Amos 7:15 Amos was a country boy, a shepherd, and a pruner of sycamore trees — a nobody chosen by God to prophesy to the nation of Israel (Am 7:14ff). Jesus likewise sent out His apostles as nobodies. He didn’t let them have the possessions and money by which many people try to command respect (see Mk 6:8-9). He didn’t even provide them with accommodations (see Mk 6:10). The apostles had about as much prestige as homeless people. Of course, without credentials, status, clout, or worldly power, they were almost certain to...
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“You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them and before the Gentiles on My account.” –Matthew 10:18 Jesus is the Truth (Jn 14:6), the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. He does not conceal from us the more difficult realities of following Him. He bluntly states we are sent out “like sheep among wolves” (Mt 10:16). The government will bring us to trial; the religious leaders will flog us; even our families will turn us over to the police because of our Christian witness (Mt 10:17, 18, 21). We “will be hated...
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“Have you a father?” –Genesis 44:19 Joseph had everything. He was talented, handsome, and rich. He was one of the most important people in the world. However, all this meant almost nothing to him. Joseph was heartbroken, not so much because of being rejected by his brothers, but from being separated from his father for several decades. Joseph expressed his longing for his father with loud sobs (Gn 45:2). As soon as Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, he first of all asked them: “Is my father still in good health?” (Gn 45:3) We all were conceived with Joseph’s...
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