Open your mouth and say ‘Ahhh’.” Have you ever wondered why your family doctor likes to look inside your mouth? Apparently, it can reveal symptoms of all sorts of things, like a vitamin deficiency, an infection, or even oral cancer. As a doctor examines our tongue to get a glimpse of what’s going on inside of our bodies, James reminds us our tongue…

The Father Himself declared His crucified Son to be righteous by raising Him from the dead. Any accusation made against our sinless Savior is full of holes. This is really good news for you and me! Through faith in our Savior, who died and rose for us, there’s no one left who can accuse and condemn you either!…

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking that life would be a paradise if we didn’t have diseases like cancer, diabetes, or mental health crises and so many more, Jesus agrees and draws our attention to the cross. While we celebrate when a loved one is healed, and when someone in danger is rescued, we are blessed with an even greater healing, a rescu…

In Ephesians, Paul says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” But in James we hear,, “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” So, which is it? Are we saved by faith alone or faith plus works? Have we st…

According to the commentary on a famous painting, the artist wished to to convey the message that “the course of justice is relentless if sometimes slow.” It certainly must have felt that way for the faithful who were living in Isaiah’s day in the midst of hostile circumstances. It may fill us will fears of fear and fury. It may even leave us wanti…

It’s easy to fall into the trap of making our faith all a matter of outward appearance. Everything from how we dress to how we fold our hands may give the appearance that we’re very pious. But if our hearts are filled with grudges, anger, jealously, sinful thoughts, and pride, then we're putting on a show and it's no more effective than turning our…

In the world of international relations, ambassadors often wore diplomatic uniforms. This attire was resplendent with each individual nation’s unique culture, tradition and symbolism. But there is one adornment that was not a part of the diplomatic uniforms of any nation – chains. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul described himself as “an ambassador i…

The devil works hard to separate you from God's precious gift to you of a Savior and your salvation in Him. The goal of his attacks is to have you forget what Jesus had done for you and the forgiveness He brings. He tempts you to look to yourself, you sins, and despair. But here’s where our brother Paul reminds you of the remarkable gift that God h…

Here in Mark, Jesus describes a manmade custom that is no longer familiar. And at first, it sounds like the gold standard of pious worship. For someone to declare a portion of their wealth as “Corban” was to declare that it was now set aside as a gift to God. Doesn’t that sound inspiring? You can be sure that folks marveled at back then as well. Ho…

After a full day of healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God and God's eternal rescue from sin, the Pharisees complained that the disciples didn't wash their hands. This had nothing to do with hygiene. What they were referring to was the their custom of ceremonial washing. Now, as you hear this, you may be thinking to yourself, “Well, how ridicul…

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a British television competition that has become hugely popular. Each week a selection of Britain's best home potters compete to become champion ‘of the pottery.’ However, despite all of the skills displayed, and all of the different types of pots are created, there is one thing that remains consistent. None of the p…

One of the best-known, and well-loved, of the flowers that bloom each year in late Spring is one called the Bleeding Heart. A "bleeding heart" is also a popular adjective used to describe someone who is sympathetic to the poor and suffering. Here in the Psalms, the David describes a “broken heart.” When you find yourself brokenhearted, crushed in s…

Foods described as containing ‘empty calories’ are usually those which are chock full of sugars and solid fats. But if you read the label, what’s missing are essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Here in Ephesians, Paul sounds the alarm about something that may feed our cravings but leaves us famished: Empty words.…

Submit! That’s something one kid might say to another if they’re having a fight. One kid will pin another to ground, sit on them, or bend their arm behind their back – to make them stop resisting and give up. Which makes you raise you eyebrow then when Paul uses this term here in Ephesians. On the surface, the, the word ‘submit’ sounds like somethi…

The image of dying, and walking toward a blinding light in the distance, has become a popular staple of our culture. It shows up in popular movies and even a video that swept social media and which some Christians have described as "heartwarming." However, what God has revealed to us in His Son about what is to come, and recorded for us in His Word…

What is your favorite aroma? Is it the smell of the burning wood from an August campfire? What about the scent of a sizzling steak on the barbecue? Do you prefer the puff of perfume or the cologne worn by your spouse? You might be pleased to know how often in Scripture we hear about "an aroma pleasing to the LORD." And it's one you and I get to sha…

"I've had enough." You can hear the distress in Elijah’s words. The Hebrew word for “enough” in this text is an adverb meaning “much.” And ironically, the idioms we use in English, to describe this feeling tend to include food. So, maybe it's not such a surprise to hear that the next thing that took place is that God fed the prophet. And He feeds u…

The Israelites did it repeatedly. Job did it. So did Jonah. Come to think of it, so did Elijah. And when the disciples were be tossed about in a boat during a storm at sea they did it too. When we're afraid, we panic, grumble and complain. We fall into the trap of "misdirected muttering." But look at what God has done, and continues to do, to repla…

When’s the last time you checked the expiration dates on your food? Have your ever grabbed something from your pantry and discovered that it’s probably no longer good? Here in John’s Gospel, Jesus had just miraculously fed a very large crowd that had come out to hear Him preach. Many were looking simply for another meal. Jesus told them, “Do not wo…

What a frightening image! Pictures of infants sleeping gently on a blanket in a basket are a favorite of photographers. But imagine that same basket being tossed about, helplessly, on ocean waves. And yet, this is the terrifying portrait that Paul paints to describe what it’s like whenever a child of God falls prey to false teaching. Does that soun…

In Ephesians, Paul says, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” How exactly do we do that? How is it possible for us to comprehend something so great?

Two weeks ago, folks woke up around the globe and were faced with what's come to be known as the "Blue Screen of Death." As one expert told reporters at NBC, “Pretty much anybody, regardless of their level of computer savviness, knows that when you see that traditional old-school Blue Screen of Death, something has gone very badly wrong.” In Noah's…

"It's a ghost!" Now, as you heard from Mark that the disciples cried out with these words, do you find yourself shaking your head? It sure seems out of place! What on earth would make the disciples cry out like school children and think that they’d seen a ghost? Well, let’s put ourselves their place.…

Are you planning to have a barbecue this weekend? If you are, then here’s something you’ll want to consider: Have you got enough food? After the crowds had spent the day hearing Jesus proclaim the Good news of salvation, it must have seemed reasonable to the disciples to ask Him to now send them on their way to find something to eat. It must have l…

“Coming Soon!” Just those words alone, on a sign at a construction site, can build excitement. Here in Ephesians, Paul announced some tremendous Good News about a very exciting construction project underway. However, unlike a sign that reads “coming soon,” the apostle could have erected a billboard that read, “Coming .. Right Now”!…

Drovers. Do you know those are? Chances are good you do if you've ever watched a cowboy movie. And if you have, you know that there are good ones and bad ones. One drives the sheep and cattle off and the other ensures that they arrive safely at their destination. God described just such an image for the prophet Jeremiah.…

“Don’t kill the messenger!” Have you ever heard that phrase? It’s a plea not to punish the person who brings the message in anger instead of addressing the unwelcome information or difficult truth it contains. Mark records the beheading of John the Baptizer, a prophet who was killed for the message of repentance and faith that he proclaimed. Howeve…

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” “Ya, but what happened before that?” That’s one of those great Bible Study questions that comes up from time-to-time. Did you know that God has given us the answer to that question?

Have you ever wondered at what point folks looked at Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and realized that something wasn’t quite right? At some point they would have discovered that it’s not standing upright. It’s crooked. In Scripture, the word to describe this is “iniquity.” And God's Word uses it to describe our sin. Bu wait until you hear what God h…

Ezekiel announced not only God’s judgement on sin but also His grace and mercy. The seed of God’s Word has remarkably more power than we often realize. When you and I share what Jesus has done for us it’s more than simply passing along information. Even in the face of rock hard resistance, God’s Word is powerful and effective and able to accomplish…

In 2 Corinthians, Paul rejoices in one of the useful reminders that God placed in his life. He doesn’t describe it with great clarity but one thing’s for certain, it’s wasn’t a sticky note. The reality is that God’s grace is often seen most clearly in our lives, not in the glorious experiences we imagine, but when you and I are in knee-deep in the …

The folks in Jesus' hometown were amazed by His teaching and miracles but as they considered how He had grown up in their midst, they took offense at Him. Mark tells us that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. However, the fact that Jesus, true God from eternity took on our human flesh to become true man and rescue us from our sins was not onl…

Jairus and his wife must have been thrilled to hear their daughter's first words. Twelve years later it appeared as though they had heard her last. However, Jesus made sure that death did not have the last word when it came to their little girl. And thanks to our Savior's death and resurrection, it no longer has the last word with you and me.…

“Parsnips are for poor people.” I have to laugh whenever I hear that phrase because it’s actually on a plaque in my daughter’s home. It was a gift to her from from one of her friends who evidently doesn’t like parsnips as much as she does. However, it's true that by the sixteenth century, parsnips had become a staple among the poor in Europe. Never…

“I don’t know how much more I can take.” Has life left you feeling overwhelmed? Sometimes, well-meaning friends may try to comfort you by saying, “God never gives you more than you can handle.” As nice as that sounds, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Scripture passage which says this. However, what He does say is something far greater and far more c…

When the winds and waves were whipping around them the disciples asked Jesus, "Don't You care if we drown?" Now, having stilled the storm, and demonstrated clearly His care for them, Jesus had a question of His own for the disciples: “Do you still have no faith?” In other words, “Do you still not trust Me?” And as they looked out now, over the once…

Don’t You care? That’s one of two questions, three actually, that were asked as Jesus and the disciples took a boat ride late one night on the Sea of Galilee. And all three of them are helpful to keep in mind whenever you and I find ourselves frightened and feeling abandoned by our Savior. Let’s look at this first question today. (Join us for our n…

In Job, the prophet found himself stricken by crushing loss and crippling illness. And if you’ve ever found yourself experienced loss, faltering finances or diminished health, you may have found yourself confronted by some tough questions. You may have even wanted to give God a piece of your mind. Well, you might be surprised to know that God has a…

Tent camping. Just the image of it ignites your sense of adventure. Stunning scenery, fresh air, sleeping under the stars and camp fires. However, if you've lost your home, tent camping isn’t the summertime adventure that comes to mind. The apostle Paul, a tent-maker by trade, likened these bodies to tents that wear out. With joy, he points us to t…

In describing the kingdom of God Jesus compared it to a mustard seed. The seed itself is tiny. You can’t help but sigh and think, “Is that it?” However, what appears to be weak and unimpressive brings about remarkable results.

There’s a reason that old gardens –especially those large estate gardens you may visit in the summer – look more majestic than the average garden in your backyard. Plants were given time to grow. We like to see results and we want to see them now. So, it’s not surprising that we may find ourselves expecting much the same when it comes to planting t…

“That’s crazy talk!” Now there’s handy phrase to use when the person you’re talking to doesn’t seem make sense. It’s an informal way of saying, “You’re babbling!” And yet there were those who were comfortable using a similar phrase to describe our Savior. The reality is that much of what you and I take for granted as a matter of faith sounds crazy …

This year is the 60th Anniversary of National Safety Council's defensive driving program. Some of the principles that it incorporates are based on techniques that were known even before that. One of those principles has a lot in common with the instruction that Paul gives us here in 2 Corinthians.

Sharing the Gospel of our Savior’s love in this world can be difficult. Sometimes it’s thrown back in our face like a bucket of cold water. It can be more than a little disheartening. As a result, we may want to bottle up the Good News that God has given us and keep it to ourselves. So, why keep doing it? As Paul points out, the answer is something…

Here in Mark, we hear of an instance in which the Pharisees accused Jesus of "trespassing." He crossed a fence that others had made to protect God's command and gift of the Sabbath by healing a man in the synagogue on that day. Jesus reminded them that He has authority over the Sabbath and certainly over any man-made fences that others had built ar…

Does the Church seem weak and disappointing? Is your pastor less than movie-star material? Don’t worry. Chances are good, as God’s Word points out, that even if you had Paul as your preacher, or a congregation as gifted as the one in Corinth, many folks would be still be unimpressed. But, as the apostle reminds us, that's not by accident.…

Have a rest! That's easier said than done. We have an urge to fill up our free time with work. Sometimes that work can even crowd out the opportunity to worship if we're not careful. In order not to sip into this trap, God has given us a remarkable command and invitation.

When folks first look at Christianity, they tend to look for things that will make life good – handy bits of advice to make life easier, tips for getting richer, life coaching ideas and things like that. However, it's worth noting that on the evening when Nicodemus came to Jesus instead of our Savior giving him a list of things he must do to make l…

Are you and I no better than a rusty old mower that gets rolled out to the curb and winds up in a landfill? Hardly! And as Christians, it would be terrible if we let ourselves fall prey, with the world, to this way of thinking. God has so much more in mind for you and me. Listen to the confidence that David held in the Old Testament. It was the con…

Have you ever tried to take a photograph and the brightness of the sun make it impossible? Timothy explains why this is the case when it comes to God. In his first letter, he tells us about our God who “alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” However, now that Christ has come and redeemed us, you a…