When the crowd observed Jesus heal the paralytic, they were in awe of God. Mark 2: 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” [1] How would you react after seeing a miracle …
The Jewish leadership began questioning Jesus after He forgave a paralyzed man. He went on to show them that He had the authority to forgive. Mark 2: 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man …
The teachers of the religious law had a resistant mindset. They had come to check out this popular new teacher. There were stories of healing and fresh teaching from a previously unknown rabbi. Jesus was beginning His ministry and was very popular with the common people. He had returned to His home base of Capernaum …
Faith that leads to wholeness is a story repeated throughout the Scriptures. Faith is essential to life, not just for eternity, but for transformation today. Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:20 that Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone. He is the foundation upon which everything else is built. True wholeness is not built on feelings, …
Wholeness starts with forgiveness since our most important need is to be forgiven. Jesus came into this world to die for our sins and restore us to God. While we need food, water, and shelter to survive physically, nothing compares to our spiritual need. Without forgiveness, we remain separated from the very One who created …
Being made whole in Jesus through life’s obstacles is not the path most of us want to go down. In God’s plan for our lives, obstacles can be times of testing that help us become better people. Perhaps as you read this, there is a major obstruction in your life that you are trying to …
Wholeness through divine intervention may not be our plan, but it is God’s. We may think we have our own path figured out, but the good news is the Lord always has a better one. His plans require divine intervention—and that intervention is always aimed at making us whole. We often think we know best …
Witnesses to God’s saving work were essential to the early church’s spread of the Gospel. Their witness was a message that transformed lives. This mission began just before the ascension, when Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and prepared them to proclaim the good news. Luke 24:46 And Jesus said, “Yes, it was written …
God had given instructions for the Day of Atonement sacrifices. There were to be two goats considered as one offering. The priests would choose by lot, one goat as a blood sacrifice. The other, the scapegoat, would symbolize the people’s sins being taken away. Instructions for the Goats The High Priest was to choose two …
What are the days of awe? These are the days between the Festival of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. These two Jewish festivals are the first of three fall Festivals that begin in September and October of our calendar. Festival of Trumpets Begins Days of Awe God gives limited instructions for the Festival of …