“Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” —Luke 4:34 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. —Luke 4:41 Go on the street and ask people who Jesus is and you will get interesting answers. They will say he was just a man or just a prophet or just a good teacher. Some will even say that he is a made up figure and never really existed.…

John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others. —Luke 3:19-20 Standing for Biblical values sets Christians apart. A New Mexico photographer is in court because of not wanting to photograph “a lesbian couple’s commitment ceremony” http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865557098/New-Mexico-photographer-loses-third-round-of-gay-discrimination-case-but-attorneys-vow-fight-isnt.html?pg=all. “Christian bakers fined up to $150,000 for refusing to bake same-sex ‘wedding’ cake” https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-bakers-fined-up-to-150000-for-refusing-to-bake-same-sex-wedding-c. “Govt tells Christian ministers: Perform same-sex weddings or face jail, fines” http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/9364. The list goes on… Targeting followers of the Lord God Almighty to persecute them is nothing new. It started…

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. —Luke 2:34 Many people will oppose Jesus and fall and great will be their fall (Matthew 7:27). It will be an eternal fall (Revelation 20:15). On the other hand, Jesus will bring others great joy (Luke 24:52). Their joy will last forever (Romans 10:17). Who can truly oppose Jesus? Can a man tame the sun? Can man ever still the waves of the ocean?…

The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. —Deuteronomy 29:29 Questions, questions, questions and we all have them. What is your question or are your questions that you would like to have answers for? Fill in this blank— Why _____________? So, what was your question? The Lord God Almighty has some things that He just will not reveal to us. He alone knows the reasons and purposes to the situations we cannot understand. We may…

For nothing is impossible with God. —Luke 1:37 People like to come up with communicative gymnastics to try to deny that God is God. One of the favorites is “Can God make a rock so big that He cannot lift it?” Yet they do not understand the purposes or character of God. But to answer this question that is typically asked out of arrogance and sarcasm— Yes, God did make a stone that He could not move for three days. It was the stone that was rolled in front of the tomb where Jesus was buried and the plan of God was that He would be in that tomb three…

…he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. —Mark 16:14 Imagine eleven people telling you they witnessed seeing your once P.O.W. loved one, thought to be dead, alive in an allied hospital. Would you believe them? Or, would you just refuse to believe that these eleven individuals actually saw your loved one? Are eleven people enough to convince you of anything? In the verse above there were, by this time, a few which had seen Jesus resurrected from the dead. When the apostles were told about this they refused to believe it until Jesus actually…

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” —Mark 15:39 When you want an accurate diagnosis you ask the proper person. Depending on your situation it may be a mechanic to discuss vehicle issues, a doctor to discuss health issues, a civil engineer to discuss structural issues. The expertise of the right professional will get you the correct information. When Jesus died through crucifixion there was a Roman officer present that witnessed His death. Undoubtedly, this soldier had seen many men die on the battlefield. He was probably all too familiar with the last moments…

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. —Mark 14:28 Communication in warfare is vital. Down through the ages there have been different forms to communicate between “command post” to and among the front lines. There have been runners to verbalize the message, runners to carry a written communication, flags to signal a message, Morse code, radio… Without the needed interaction between those in command and those taking commands, there would be real problems resulting in disaster. So it is with those who follow the Lord Jesus. If there is not constant communication in this…

It would be far better for that man if he had never been born! —Mark 14:21 “I wish I had never been born!” Those who say this today usually say it because something did not go their way or they are being asked to do something they do not want to do. It is a rebellious statement that is made to bring sympathy or to induce hurt. Selfishness is at the forefront when an individual makes this statement. But the verse above is a statement that Jesus made about the one who would betray Him, Judas Iscariot. In reality though, this statement could be said about any person who does…

And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! —Mark 13:33 Are you ready to meet Jesus? At some point in the future, near or far, Jesus will come back to this planet. Even if it does not happen in our life-time we will see Him after we die. Everyone, saved or lost, born-again or not, will appear before Him. For those who know Jesus, they will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be recognized for faithful living (II Corinthians 5:10). For those who do not know the Lord Jesus, they will appear before the White Throne Judgment to be condemned and…