Jesus is the cure for bitterness. This is the healing news of the Gospel! As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem to give His life for us, He encountered some Pharisees and teachers of the Law once more. They saw Jesus as a threat to their power, and many were bitter towards Him. They themselves …
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the older brother had difficulty embracing grace. He had stayed with his father and worked diligently while the younger son went off. He had been in the field working when his younger brother returned. He had to ask a servant what the party was about and wasn’t happy …
The father provides a joyful restoration for the prodigal son. Luke 15: 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with …
We see the grace of the father’s pursuit in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The son had asked the father for his inheritance early, while the father was still living. In essence, this request insinuated that the son wished the father were dead. Then, to make matters worse, the son spent the money on …
Recognizing our need is often a turning point in our lives. An addiction or a false perception of ourselves, among other things, can be harmful to both us and others. The Pharisees and religious leaders did not realize their need for a Savior. As they gathered around Jesus, He reached out to them with the …
Zacchaeus demonstrated evidence of transformation that had happened in his heart as Jesus came to his house. Luke 19: 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” …
Living a life of new beginnings is possible only for those who choose to place their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Have you ever wished to relive a day to correct your mistakes? I have. While we can’t relive our lives, we can turn to God, confess our sins, and start anew. Abraham experienced …
Relapsing into sin is something we all experience if we’re honest. When this occurs, we feel a sense of shame and discouragement, accompanied by the overwhelming feeling of “not again.” It’s painful for believers who want to walk in righteousness but are hindered by familiar temptations. In Genesis 20, we see Abraham, the patriarch of faith, …
The destructiveness of sin is evident in Lot’s life, which also serves as a warning of a trap we could fall into. Walking with the Lord sharpens our awareness of sin. A tender heart enables us to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice more clearly and turn away from sin. However, when we, myself included, drift …
Repentance versus remorse can make the difference between being forgiven or not. Remorse is being regretful that you did something. Repentance is turning away from your sin and toward God to receive forgiveness. To truly change, I must repent as God molds and shapes me to be a transformed person. David gives us insight. Psalm …