Do Not Forbid Him! John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”—Mark 9:38 At first glance, it appears a noble thing that Jesus’ disciples kept such careful guard over the orthodoxy of Jesus’Read More …

“This Is My Beloved Son . . . Hear Him!” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!”—Matthew 17:5 Peter and the other disciples were continually disoriented to God. While JesusRead More …

An Exchanged Life . . . and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.—Galatians 2:20 The Christian life is an exchanged life. Jesus’ life for yourRead More …

Whom Is God Sending to You? “I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”—Matthew 17:16–17 Jesus gave His disciples theRead More …

You Are Light In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 There is no mistaking the effect of light upon a darkened place. Light boldly and unabashedly announces its presence andRead More …

You Are Salt “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.”—Matthew 5:13 God’s people are His preserving agents for a worldRead More …

Follow Me Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”—Matthew 16:24 We can take God’s presence for granted. We can assume that because Jesus said He would be with us always, He will followRead More …

Take up Your Cross Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”—Matthew 16:24 Your “cross” is God’s will for you, regardless of the cost. Taking up your cross is a choice; it is notRead More …

Deny Yourself Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”—Matthew 16:24 Sin causes us to be self-centered, shifting our hearts from God to self. The essence of salvation is an about-face from self-centeredness toRead More …

Forgive to Be Forgiven And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.—Matthew 6:12 Few things are more precious to receive than forgiveness. After carrying the burden of our sin, it is wonderfully freeing to know that the one we have wronged has completely forgiven us. JesusRead More …