The Cost of Following

A young lady in England was considering becoming a missionary and wrote a letter to Amy wondering what the life was like. Amy simply wrote back, “Missionary life is simply a chance to die.”

Not Peace, But…

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. (Luke 12:51) Read: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24 Relate: One of the friendliest guys I have met recently is a man I am going to call Joe. Joe is a Muslim but the way IS is acting almost…

The Die Is Cast

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Read: Genesis 23:1 – 24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6 Relate: 2064 years ago today the world drastically changed. Most likely it was…

Just Do It

I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. (John 13:16-17) Read: Ezra 4:6, 6:14-22, Esther 1:1 – 4:17 Relate: There are actually two different categories of…

In The Light

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me…

But Mary Stayed

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to…

Steal Kill Destroy

 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose…

The Gate

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:6-7) Read: Isaiah 18:1 – 23:18 Relate: In the west, we live in a culture full of individualism. In other parts of the world the group, the collective whole,…

Death

And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” (John 8:50-51) Read: Isaiah 1:21 – 5:30 Relate: Death is a choice. I know, I know, that old adage says that the only two…