A farmer went into his field to sow. some of his seed fell on hard-packed soil and was devoured by birds. Some seed fell on rocky ground, rooted in the shallow soil, and withered in the hot sun. Some seed fell among thorns and therefore produced nothing. But “other seeds fell into good soil and…

Just before the crucifixion Jesus shared an evening meal with his disciples. Customarily, a servant washed guests’ feet before seating them at the table. No servant was present on this occasion, though. Who would humble himself and do the servant’s task? Each of the apostles considered himself too important, and so Jesus “rose from supper,…

Some years ago I heard an amusing news story about a couple in Jackson, Michigan. The owner of a trash collection business there proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes. There was nothing unusual about that, but the setting for the wedding was definitely peculiar. The man wanted to have their ceremony on the back…

The anonymous author of Psalm 116 suffered an affliction that had brought him to the brink of death. “The snares of death encompassed me,” he said. “I suffered distress and anguish” (v. 3). However, when he prayed fervently for help, the answer was gracious. God delivered his “soul from death,” his “eyes from tears,” and…

[Note: This message is informed by William Barclay’s commentary on Matthew 5 posted at www.studylight.org and other sources] Introduction Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). On his radio program some years ago, he was vigorously protesting the planned construction of a huge mosque near the site of…

Americans are known around the world for their long work hours and high productivity. Because of the economic opportunities created by personal liberty, diligence is often repaid with generous financial rewards. Hard work is certainly commendable. The Bible says that “if any one will not work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). But it’s…

Seven months before the 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, Taliban fanatics in Afghanistan made international headlines by passing legislation ostensibly designed to protect Hindus. The law required every Hindu to wear a yellow piece of cloth on his shirt pocket. Plainly, the Islamic fundamentalists’ real purpose was to stigmatize, isolate, and intimidate Hindus.…

Jesus and his apostles worked astounding miracles. They cured leprosy, opened deaf ears and blind eyes, caused the lame to walk, and even raised the dead. Though plainly unable to perform signs of this sort, modern faith healers claim to have the same power working within them. But when pressed for evidence, they fail to…

Some atheists and agnostics are fond of making the ludicrous declaration that “absolute truth is for absolute fools.” Inadvertently, many church-goers are guilty of giving credence to this view. When there’s a disagreement over an important biblical question, someone is likely to end the discussion by observing that “everyone interprets the Bible differently.” Although conflicting…

Paralysis is one of the most distressing afflictions a person can suffer. A healthy body lifts, pushes, pulls, twists, or whatever else it’s told to do. A paralyzed body, however, refuses to work. Because of injury or disease, it is unable to respond to the head’s commands. As physical paralysis handicaps the body, so spiritual…