The Key to Greatness Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48 The disciples ask the Lord Jesus who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Man in his flesh desires to be admired and lifted up. He has a natural tendency to exalt himself and to think more highly of himself than he ought to think. The mind so quickly can be lifted up with pride. Jesus teaches His disciples that the key to greatness is humility. There must be Conversion: There must come a change. Man is naturally proud, too proud to acknowledge even his own sinfulness and unworthiness. Pride is the exception that will exclude many from entering into the Kingdom of Heaven. There must be Childlike Humility: As a child we must not assume ourselves to be worthy of anything. We must come to Christ in simplicity. Children are not too proud to ask for help. They are not worried about their self-image or how they will be perceived if [...]

The Not so-Rich Young Ruler      This young man, a rich young ruler came kneeling before Jesus seeking eternal life. Some observations can be made as we see this encounter with the Saviour. Don’t trust in righteousness, religion, or riches but have a relationship with Christ: Mark 10; Matthew 19:16-26; Luke 18 An improper view of goodness can keep many from trusting in Christ. This man thought he was good for what he was doing. Jesus gave him a lesson first on human goodness and the true standard of goodness, God. Psalm 14:1; 53:1 This young man thought that he could do good in order to get into heaven (Matthew 19:16) Observing religious commandments cannot make a soul right with God. This cannot change the heart. Jesus sees the heart of this ruler and says that he is still lacking one thing. It is not many things that keep a soul out of Heaven; it is one thing. Failure to trust upon Jesus Christ alone [...]

Transformation through the Transfiguration Continued… As the Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured, revealing His glory to these three disciples who were alone by themselves with Jesus there appeared with Jesus in glory Moses and Elijah. Both of these Old Testament Saints were mightily used by God in their days. Both of these servants had mountain top experiences with the Lord. Now they appear with the Saviour and are talking with Him. The subject matter of their conversation is revealed in the Gospel of Luke chapter 9. We can understand the focal point of Heaven as this conversation unfolds. These men speak of Jesus’ decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Heaven is focused upon the work of Jesus Christ upon the Mountain called Calvary. Consider Jesus Accomplishment: For this very purpose Jesus had come into the world. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I Timothy [...]

Transformed through the Transfiguration Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9 The Lord Jesus Christ took three of His close disciples up into an high mountain apart from the rest of the disciple and the multitudes. These three men had a distinct privilege to be apart with Christ and alone with Christ upon the mountain top. While they were up on the mountain they had a “mountain top experience” as the Lord Jesus Christ in human flesh incarnated was transfigured to reflect the very glory of God which He had before when He was with the Father. John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. The Lord Jesus had laid aside His glory to become a servant and to be made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the [...]

Faith in the Storm Matthew 14 The Lord Jesus had just finished feeding a multitude of people numbered of 5,000 men beside women and children. Immediately following this miracle he constrains His disciples to get into a boat and voyage to the other side while He would stay and dismiss the people. The Lord was sending them directly into a storm which He knew would come to teach these men in their spiritual walk. He has complete control over the storm and allows this for God’s divine purpose. The disciples of Jesus had allowed their hearts to become callous and they had not considered this miracle of the loaves (Mark 6:52). The Lord Jesus went out alone into a mountain for the express purpose of praying. It would do every believer well to emulate their Lord as He disciplined Himself to have time alone with His Father. He prays even while a great storm arises out on the lake. The disciples now find themselves [...]

From Captivity to Circuit Riding Preacher Mark 5:1-20 Meditations on the Maniac… Some people’s condition seems to be a hopeless cause when we survey their lives from man’s vantage point. The Lord however views even the hardest spiritual case with eyes of compassion. He knows that there is hope to be found only in the Person of Jesus Christ and the good news of the gospel. In Mark chapter 5 we read the account of the Maniac of Gadara. He lived on the other side of the Sea of Galilea. Jesus had His disciples sail through a storm to reach the other side of the sea with the purpose of meeting this crazed individual. The Lord Jesus cares so much for the individual that he came over to this country and got off the boat to meet this man. There are some powerful truths that we can observe that will give some spiritual encouragement and conviction. Confrontation with the Saviour: Consider as Jesus steps [...]

New Years Resolutions Did you set any resolutions this year? Perhaps to exercise more, lose a few pounds, or have family devotions. There are many resolutions and this passage indicates some powerful resolutions for this year. Ephesians 5:8-21 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but [...]

A Radiant Testimony for Christ Romans 16:1-2 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Here is a powerful testimony of a servant of Christ. Paul was not a male chauvinist. He commends this lady Phebe. Her name means radiant and her testimony and service for Christ and His people shine brightly. In commending her Paul places his approval on her work for the Savior. It is a very small thing to be commended by fellow man and even smaller to be commended by one’s own self, nevertheless to be commended by the Apostle Paul surely lends some weight to this lady’s testimony. Ultimate commendation for the believer is from the Lord Jesus Christ at the bema [...]

The Danger of Self Deception Jeremiah 37:9 A reality that all of God’s people face. When we hear the Word of God, do we believe that it will actually come to pass? Do we somehow believe that we are above what God has said will happen? Obadiah 1:3 (pride) Self-deception is to think or believe thoughts that are contrary to the truth. It is to lie to myself. God’s Word is truth and is no lie. If I believe something contrary to His truth-I am deceived. (To err from the truth). We are in danger of deception when we err from the plainness of truth. Prov. 8:9 God’s Words are all plain How can a person be self-deceived? To believe that something will not happen that God says will—Jer. 37:9 To hear the Word of God and fail to let it change my life—James 1:22 To have religion without relationship, spirituality—James 1:26 To believe that I may live in disobedience and not realize the [...]