As the Day Begins “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” —2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul describes spiritual blindness, not an intellectual deficiency. The “god of this age” is Satan,Continue reading “When the World Becomes Too Small”
Tag Archives: kingdom of God
Ready While Life Looks Ordinary
In the Life of Christ “For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.” — Luke 17:24 When I read Jesus’ teaching about His return, I hear both a promise and a warning. The promise is that ChristContinue reading “Ready While Life Looks Ordinary”
When Empty Hands Receive the Kingdom
By His Word “Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” — Luke 6:20 The world teaches us to measure our lives by what we possess, accomplish, and control. We learn early to admire people who appear self-sufficient. We celebrate those who have accumulatedContinue reading “When Empty Hands Receive the Kingdom”
The Kingdom Standing in Front of Us
In the Life of Christ “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is in your midst.’”Continue reading “The Kingdom Standing in Front of Us”
The Wealth Heaven Can See
DID YOU KNOW The world usually recognizes wealth by what can be displayed—possessions, influence, education, authority, or access to important people. Jesus, however, repeatedly asked His disciples to look beneath appearances. In Luke 20:41–21:24, He contrasted religious leaders who enjoyed public recognition with a widow whose offering appeared almost insignificant. The leaders possessed social standing,Continue reading “The Wealth Heaven Can See”
When Jesus Redraws the Picture of a Christian
In the Life of Christ Every generation develops a mental picture of what a Christian is supposed to look like. Sometimes that picture is shaped by Scripture. Sometimes it is shaped by habit, tradition, personality, or the expectations of the religious community around us. That is why the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7Continue reading “When Jesus Redraws the Picture of a Christian”
THE MESSAGE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
In the Life of Christ “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” —Mark 1:15 When Jesus began preaching in Galilee, He did not offer people a collection of comforting thoughts or a program for modest self-improvement. He announced that God had acted decisively inContinue reading “THE MESSAGE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING”
When the Stones Fall
Living Ready for What Endures A Day in the Life of Jesus Scripture Reading: Mark 13:1–4 (also Matthew 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7) Walking Through the Passage I imagine that day vividly. The disciples were walking with Jesus, leaving the grandeur of the Temple behind. Its golden pinnacles and gleaming marble shone in the afternoon sun—aContinue reading “When the Stones Fall”
The Center of It All
Learning to Love Like Jesus A Day in the Life of Jesus When I read this exchange between Jesus and the teacher of religion, I can almost feel the tension in the air. The Pharisees had been circling Him with their questions, not to learn, but to trap Him. Yet amid all the religious noise,Continue reading “The Center of It All”
Whose Image Do You Reflect?
A Day in the Life of Jesus Walking with Jesus Through the Question of Allegiance There are moments in the Gospels where Jesus’ calm wisdom slices through the noise of human manipulation like sunlight breaking through a storm. Today’s story is one of those moments. The religious and political leaders—strange bedfellows, really—come together not toContinue reading “Whose Image Do You Reflect?”