Compassion For All People
The obstacles we see to God's work are opportunities for us to trust Him, conform our attitudes to His, and witness the fulfillment of His will. This is Jesus' lesson for the disciples as Jesus ministers in two Gentile areas.
Clean Hands or a Clean Heart?
The world always emphasizes externals--what people see and what impresses them. But Jesus teaches that no matter how perfect we might appear to others, if our lives are centered on the external and physical, we are nothing but empty hypocrites.
Eating the Bread of Life
It is easy to become so consumed with the daily, physical necessities of life that we overlook our greatest needs, which are spiritual. The Lord knows our deepest needs better than we do, and only He can fully satisfy them. He is the true, life-giving Bread of Life.
When Peter Walked on Water
The challenges--and the failures--we face in life are not obstacles to faith but stepping stones to greater faith. On the stormy Sea of Galilee one night, Jesus taught Peter a lesson in faith from his own failure.
Manna From Heaven ... Again
Jesus' miracles often addressed physical needs, but their ultimate purpose was spiritual. The feeding of the multitude is a prime example of this. Jesus’ focus is on making, equipping, and sending out disciples.
The Apostles' First Mission Trip
Following Jesus means following His instructions regardless of how people respond. That is not an easy task, but God's Word adequately equips us for success in it.
When Kindness Meets Unkindness
Jesus’ earthly ministry reveals His person and His character. It also reveals important—and sometimes very difficult—lessons for all who follow Him.
Hopeless Cases of Desperation
Although people and the difficult situations they face may differ greatly, the hope they desperately want is always found in the same place--in Jesus Christ. Two desperate people from very different backgrounds illustrate this truth.
The Madman of Gadara
Jesus never encounters a hopeless case. Even a deranged, demon-possessed man can be delivered, saved, and used in God’s service. That is something we should remember with regard to both ourselves and every other seemingly hopeless person we meet.
Lessons From Unexpected Storms
The trials of life are tests. We will either wither under them or learn from them. The greatest thing we can learn from trials is that we can always trust Jesus to be sufficient.