According to the world, great faith is seen in those who dream big and pursue great goals. But since faith is only as strong as what you have faith in, such egocentric faith is only as strong as . . . you. Compare that faith with the trust that relies on God’s mercy and the whatever he provides in life. Contrast worldly faith with what we see in the Canaanite woman. She sees the Messiah, pleads for his mercy, and pursues his blessing. Such faith is great because it rests and relies upon the greatness of God.

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus Christ, and many are willing to express it. But what will you say about him? Should you weigh all the options and say that which is the most popular or the least controversial?

Given the opportunity, the disciples made such a rock solid confession, Jesus said he would build his church on it and overcome the powers of hell with it. It stands to reason that you will want to confess his name in the same way.

August 16, 2020 - Matthew 15:21-28 - "When It Seems Like God Is Saying No . . ." by Living Savior

Such stormy times! A worldwide pandemic, economic upheaval, political trauma. Not to mention the howling winds of dire news reports and the crashing waves in your personal life that threaten to sink you in your own fears and doubts. Then Jesus reaches out with his mighty hand, takes hold of you with his powerful promises, and leads you to safety. Man-made security eventually fails. Your security in the hand of the Son of God endures forever.

Such stormy times! A worldwide pandemic, economic upheaval, political trauma. Not to mention the howling winds of dire news reports and the crashing waves in your personal life that threaten to sink you in your own fears and doubts. Then Jesus reaches out with his mighty hand, takes hold of you with his powerful promises, and leads you to safety. Man-made security eventually fails. Your security in the hand of the Son of God endures forever.

When the Lord Jesus provided for every need of body and life, he didn’t lower his blessings through shining clouds on a glowing beam. There were no divine fireworks. He did the extraordinary while using ordinary matter. Starting with a boy’s lunch and enlisting his disciples as his distributors, Jesus showed God’s compassion as well as God’s ability to provide for all people in simple yet meaningful ways. Today we see him work through simple means — water, bread, wine, and his word — to provide us with eternal blessings of forgiveness, peace, and lasting joy.

When the Lord Jesus provided for every need of body and life, he didn’t lower his blessings through shining clouds on a glowing beam. There were no divine fireworks. He did the extraordinary while using ordinary matter. Starting with a boy’s lunch and enlisting his disciples as his distributors, Jesus showed God’s compassion as well as God’s ability to provide for all people in simple yet meaningful ways. Today we see him work through simple means — water, bread, wine, and his word — to provide us with eternal blessings of forgiveness, peace, and lasting joy.

What do you use to determine value? That's often done with numbers, dollars, and other measurements, so that whenever you get more in those areas, there is greater value. 

The spiritual wealth that we have in Christ puts all such value systems into perspective, because in this life there is nothing greater than belonging to our Savior. Citizens of God's heavenly kingdom gladly give up everything in order to keep it. What is more, the eternal riches we have in Christ marginalizes everything else. As a result, before the end of the age comes we are eager to show others the gospel of Jesus.

What do you use to determine value? That's often done with numbers, dollars, and other measurements, so that whenever you get more in those areas, there is greater value. 

The spiritual wealth that we have in Christ puts all such value systems into perspective, because in this life there is nothing greater than belonging to our Savior. Citizens of God's heavenly kingdom gladly give up everything in order to keep it. What is more, the eternal riches we have in Christ marginalizes everything else. As a result, before the end of the age comes we are eager to show others the gospel of Jesus.

People who do evil things are all around us. They lie. They steal. They kill. They deceive. They destroy. When they have their way, they will do terrible things to those who live in the kingdom of God. What should you do about them? Is it up to you to somehow identify them and remove them from the world? If so, by what standard should you take such action?

With a simple parable Jesus assures us that it’s the Lord’s responsibility (not yours!) to uproot and destroy the Evil One and those who do his bidding. Jesus and his angels are going to do that “at the end of the age” – on Judgment Day. That’s when all evil and those who do it will be eliminated. That’s also when “the righteous will shine like the sun.”