Abba, Father – ‘Perfect’ Children. “Perfect” in Matthew 5:48 – whole, complete, fully mature, lacking nothing, well-rounded; in the context, “perfect” means completely moral; fully mature in character; well-rounded in virtue; lacking nothing in godliness. “Since you are children of a perfect Father in heaven, you are to be perfect like Him. Live out your God-created …
Picturing the Father. “The main thing in prayer is really not that we present particular petitions, but that we enter into communion, into a personal relationship with the Father. If I do nothing else but say from the bottom of my heart, ‘Dear heavenly Father,’ the main thing has already happened. The happy gift of …
Jesus and Women – Mary of Bethany. “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus – the man He had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with Him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of …
Jesus and Women – The Canaanite Woman. “Jesus answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Dear woman, great …
Jesus and Women – Mary Magdalene. “Dear woman, why are you crying?’ the angels asked her. ‘Because they have taken away my Lord,’ she replied, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. ”Dear woman, why are you …
Jesus and Women – The Widow’s Mite. “While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘Let me tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of …
Thoughts on the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids – Please read Matthew 25:1-13. THE CONTEXT. a. Just prior to this parable, in Matthew 24, Jesus is seated at the Mount of Olives, teaching his disciples. They asked him about the consummation of the Age, when will the End come, when will they see Jesus usher in …
Jesus and Women – The Healing of Peter’s Mother-In-Law. Please read Mark 1:29-34 (also Matthew 8:14-17 and Luke 4:38-41). CONTEXT. Jesus seemed tireless on this one full day in Capernaum. He taught with authority in the synagogue, He cast out a demon after His teaching, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law at Peter’s home, then after sunset Jesus continued His powerful …
Jesus and Women: The Raising of the Widow’s Son. “A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ He said. …
Jesus and Women – The Story of the Persistent Widow. Please read Luke 18:1-8. THE CONTEXT. Jesus told this parable immediately after conversations with both the Pharisees and his disciples about the coming Kingdom of God. His comment and parable are about prayer, both for present needs and for the 2nd Coming of the Lord. Jesus …
Jesus and Women – The Adulteress. “When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:10-11). Please …
Jesus and Women – The Story of the Woman Making Bread. “What else is the Kingdom of God Like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13:20-21; also Matthew 13:33). CONTEXT (a.) …