Jesus’ 40 days in the desert to be tested by the devil give us a strategy for defeating temptation. First Satan may use our physical needs against us, in order to tempt us to live for ourselves, rather than living in a dependent relationship on our heavenly Father. Jesus refused to use his own powerContinue reading “Defeating Temptations”
Category Archives: Adversity
Divine Surprises
The story found in Matthew 2 of the Magi coming from the east to worship the newly born King of the Jews demonstrates one of the amazing ways that God encourages, protects and provides for his people. In a manner that the Magi, who study the stars, would understand, God revealed to them that theContinue reading “Divine Surprises”
Life’s Challenges
The episode of Jesus and Peter walking on the water illustrates how we often live our lives. After sending the disciples in the boat to cross the lake, Jesus sent the crowds away and retired to a mountain to pray. In the middle of the night, as the disciples were struggling to cross against aContinue reading “Life’s Challenges”
Jesus’ Truth Revealed Through Unbelief
The response of the religious leaders after Jesus’ death reveals a curious phenomenon that takes place in those who do not believe what Jesus said. The day following Jesus’ death and after he was buried, the religious leaders went to Pilate requesting that the tomb be guarded and sealed. Their reason? They remembered that JesusContinue reading “Jesus’ Truth Revealed Through Unbelief”
Adjusted Thinking
After the disciples returned from preaching and healing in the surrounding villages, Jesus invited them to a deserted location to rest. However, what had been supposed to be a place of rest, became a place of the miraculous. The crowd followed Jesus and the disciples into the deserted place. After teaching the crowd, the disciplesContinue reading “Adjusted Thinking”
Dealing with Questions
Why did Jesus cry out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mark 15:34)? Why didn’t God ever give Job an explanation for all that had befallen him (Job 38:1-3)? Why didn’t Paul give an answer to his readers as to why God choses some and rejects others (Romans 9:19-20)?Continue reading “Dealing with Questions”
Why people may reject Jesus
Observing the reaction of the religious leaders to Jesus is instructive. Jesus did amazing things; primarily he helped people. So we must ask the question, why would the religious leaders react so negatively to him? What do we know about the religious leaders? They often did not act or speak the truth, because they fearedContinue reading “Why people may reject Jesus”
Rest In Our Father’s Care
Jesus warned his disciples not to fear what their enemies could do to them (Luke 12:1-7), because their enemies only had power in the physical realm, but no power in the spiritual. Rather, they were to respect God who had authority and power in both the physical and spiritual realms. As God cares for nature,Continue reading “Rest In Our Father’s Care”
Defeating Fear
The account of Jesus accompanying Jairos to heal his daughter reminds us of an important life principle. When messengers from Jairos’ home came to inform him that his daughter had died, Jesus told him not to be afraid. Literally, Jesus told him to stop being afraid, and believe or have faith. Jairos was to haveContinue reading “Defeating Fear”
The Radical Nature of Jesus’ Kingdom
Jesus’ healing of the man with leprosy indicates the radical nature of Jesus’ kingdom breaking into the world’s reality. In the Old Testament those afflicted with leprosy were isolated and forced to stay apart; what is today called “social distancing”. They also were required to declare their uncleanliness lest anyone inadvertently get too close toContinue reading “The Radical Nature of Jesus’ Kingdom”
David Freitag 