We have the promise of life instead of death through what Jesus has done for us. Sometimes, with all that is going on in the world, we don’t take time to thank the Lord for what He has done. Through His death on the cross and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the devil. He …
A touch that brings wholeness and breaks barriers is part of Jesus’ story. Mark 5 41 Holding her hand, Jesus said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!”[1] The scene is powerful. Jairus’ daughter had died, and according to the customs and religious laws of the time, touching a dead body made a …
To get through the storms of life, we must have faith instead of fear. Jesus can get us through any storm. I remember being in a hospital chaplaincy training program when the person I was visiting was dying. His wife handed him a piece of paper with a Bible verse on it. He held on …
Faith amid desperation is the story that unfolds in Mark 5:24-29. We encounter two powerful stories woven together—Jairus’ dying daughter and a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve long years. As Jesus walked through the crowd on His way to Jairus’ home, the suffering woman quietly approached Him from behind. She believed that …
God is still working when life feels empty and even when we are unaware that He is with us. Naomi returned to Bethlehem, overwhelmed by the loss of her husband and sons. She openly admitted her bitterness. Her name, Naomi, means “pleasant” in Hebrew. She knew her life was no longer pleasant because of her …
The story of the two disciples returning to Emmaus from Jerusalem in Luke 24:13-34 is a story of hope lost and regained. Their spiritual journey can help us on our spiritual journey today. Jesus Helped the Disciples Regain Lost Hope As our story begins, Cleopas and his companion, who may even have been his wife, …
The First Fruit offering given at the Temple was a pledge of hope that the full harvest would follow. The people were not allowed to eat any of the new crop until the offering was made. By the time of Jesus, the Temple had specific fields that were “harvested” a few sprigs of barley at …
You may wonder why a loving God prunes us. Jesus provides insight into the importance of pruning. John 15:1 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even …
Burial is not the end for believers; this is wonderful news for everyone who places their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Genesis 23:1When Sarah was 127 years old, 2 she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her. [1] Shortly after her death, Abraham bought …
Abraham had to buy a burial plot for Sarah. This cave became the purchased place of rest and future hope. We understand a burial plot to be a resting place, but how could it be a future hope? We must understand the burial practices of the day to begin to see how there could be …