Joseph moved forward in obedience despite the shame it would bring. If Joseph married the pregnant Mary, the community would assume the baby was his. But God had instructed him to do so, and he did. When Mary came back from visiting her cousin Elizabeth for three months, it was evident to Joseph that she …
Jesus confronted a young man with the deception of wealth. This man sought to understand how to attain eternal life, claiming to live a righteous life. Jesus could see that the man’s love of money was a barrier. Thus, Jesus provided a way to overcome the obstacle, allowing him to follow Him. Luke 18: 22 When …
Are you seeking justification or God? I wonder this as I watch people use selected Bible verses to justify a sinful lifestyle. Many times, cultural norms are easier to follow than God’s words in Scripture. This was true in the time of Jesus. Jewish culture taught that if one was wealthy, it meant that God …
Are you prepared for the cost of commitment to being a disciple of Jesus? If you’re like me, you may not have grasped this until you became a mature Christian. The good news is that the Christian walk is often a journey of learning, and as we grow in faith, we develop a deeper understanding …
The cost of following Jesus becomes apparent as Jesus travels towards Jerusalem. Jesus knew the hearts of those surrounding Him. Some wanted a new political kingdom to overthrow the Romans, while others sought casual discipleship, and a few truly sought Jesus as their Messiah. Luke 14: 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around …