THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:43-45 “Seven other spirits more wicked than itself…” (Matthew 12:45) I don’t know exactly what evil spirits are, but I know what they do. Their primary power is deception, negative voices that whisper their lies. What Jesus describes is how deception increases, and bondage magnifies. The Enemy uses what it can to…
When we should get literal!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:38-42 “The Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40) Did Jesus rise IN three days (Matthew 26:61), AFTER three days (Matthew 27:63), ON the third day (Matthew 20:19) or after EXACTLY three days and nights (Matthew 12:40)? The phrase ‘three days and three nights’ is a…
Words have power – for good or evil!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:33-37 “By your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37) God created us in His image, and part of that is creating this world with words. We do not create ‘out of nothing’, but we do create from what God has created. Adam’s task…
Talk it through with Him!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 16 “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7) Do you talk through your struggles or challenges with the Lord? David is wrestling with God in the middle of a crisis. He is affirming the Lord as his guide and helper Who will…
Undying love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 4-7 “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” (Leviticus 6:13) God wants His people to know the seriousness of sin, and the need for mercy. As I read it, when wouldn’t I be offering sacrifices like this, for sin and guilt. But the ONE…
A pleasing sacrifice!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 1-3 “It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” (Leviticus 1:17) I was raised to think that all these sacrifices were normal. They were normal in those times, but they disturbing to our modern sensitivities. All those animals killed to please God, “an aroma pleasing to…
Beyond forgiveness?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:30-32 “Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:32) Some people are desperately convinced that they have committed this sin. And yet their sorrow suggest otherwise, for sorrow is a fruit of the Spirit in them. Its got to be more than one time saying something against…
The strong man is bound!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:22-29 “If it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28) Humans were made to rule creation in the Spirit’s power (Genesis 1:16-28,2:7). When we rebelled against God, Satan became the strong man. Throughout history, no child of Adam has…
A tender healer!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:15-21 “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out…” (Matthew 12:20) A damaged reed is very fragile, a smoldering wick is almost burnt out. Two examples of people barely hanging on, ready to crash. I know many bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. Too often…
Its always time to do good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:9-14 “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:12) We no longer observe the Sabbath today, not like we used to. I remember strict Sabbath observances growing up. As I recall, most of the emphasis was on what we could NOT do. There were debates about what constituted work….