Take courage. I am here! —Matthew 14:27 Discouragement is the lack of courage. Courage has left the person. To encourage someone is to put courage back into them. Will you do that today? In the context of the verse above the disciples believed they had seen a ghost and were terrified. But it was Jesus walking on the water and He told them not to be afraid, but to take courage. Peter took courage and walked on the water toward Jesus. He was encouraged, but he lost that courage when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves the strong wind was creating. He became terrified and…

For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” —Matthew 14:3-4 Some people’s voices rise in decibels when they can’t persuade someone in a conversation. The idea is something like “If you don’t have the information to persuade a person, just raise your voice to intimidate them.” But now our world is seeing a new level of intimidation. We are seeing those who cannot persuade others over to their side killing their opposition. Convert or die is surely not the Biblical Christian gospel.…

Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son… Matthew 13:55 Years ago I was getting my hair cut at a salon and the woman cutting my hair kept calling me by the name of Steve. After she did this a few times I said, “My name is actually Ted, not Steve.” She came around the front of chair, looked me right in the face and said, “Are you sure?” I replied, “Yes, do you want to see my license”? She was amazed that I was not Steve. Apparently, Steve and I looked somewhat alike. Talk about mistaken identity. This has happened to Jesus multitudes of times since He was on…

Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. —Matthew 13:3 Here in New Hampshire the landscape is covered with snow and it is 0 degrees F or about -18 degrees C. There will be no planting of seeds outside today or for some months yet. But when the time comes there is always anticipation of pants growing and producing when seeds are planted. It is wonderful to watch! So it is in the spiritual realm. When seed, the Word of God, is planted in people’s hearts transformation can take place. But just as when planting seeds the soil has to be prepared so also the heart of a person…

Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. —Matthew 12:30 Friend or foe? Are you with Jesus or opposing Him? Are you working with Him or working against Him? There is no middle road. There is no neutral ground. As in any war, there are two sides and so it is in the spiritual warfare that encompasses this whole planet. People are either for Jesus and working with Him or they are opposing Him and working against Him. Someone may say, “I don’t oppose Jesus. I am just living my life and don’t follow anyone.” This is the great…

And his name will be the hope of all the world. —Matthew 12:21 What or who is your hope placed in today? I was recently talking with someone who was putting their hope in his girl friend. She broke off the relationship and he is devastated. She was the focus of his hope. Another person’s hope was their job and when they were laid off their life fell apart. There were the parents who put their hope in their children and when their children did not turn out like they had hoped, they were guilt ridden. Those who put their hope in their health are overwhelmed when their diagnoses is…

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30 It is amazing how powerful hydraulics are. Pick any piece of heavy equipment and the amount of work that can be done compared to manual labor is astounding. Even with a small tractor the hydraulics can accomplish so much more than the strength a person or…

You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. —Matthew 10:18-20 Recently I watch a light-hearted video of police officers lip-sinking to a well known song. With all the bad attitudes toward police that is happening in the U.S. it was nice to see these guys, even…

For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. —Matthew 9:13 “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” —Matthew 8:37-38 Hospitals exist because of people who are sick. Medical staff is needed to serve these sick people. Both the hospital and staff exist because of sickness. So too this is why the church exists, because of spiritually sick people. Those who are part of the church, the ones who have truly trusted the Lord Jesus Christ,…

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” —Matthew 8:23-27 A children’s song goes like this: “With Jesus in the boat we can smile in the storm,…