Early in his ministry, Jesus revealed himself to be a different type of teacher. He didn’t accept everyone who wished to follow him. The scribe who wished to follow was discouraged because Jesus said he didn’t have a fixed place to live. To the disciple who desired to stay and care for his father untilContinue reading “Kingdom Potential”
Tag Archives: Kingdom of God
Giving Honor
I am continually amazed at how the Gospels portray what an amazing man Jesus is. Early in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17), Jesus warned his followers not to assume he had come to abolish the law, that is the Old Testament law given through Moses. Rather, he came to fulfill it. Immediately, afterContinue reading “Giving Honor”
Defeating Temptations
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”
Seeking the Eternal
When I was in college I remember my pastor, mentor and friend telling us that there are only two things on earth that are eternal, Jesus’ words and people. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words would never pass away. Therefore what Jesus said is worth exploring, pondering and applying.Continue reading “Seeking the Eternal”
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”
Righteous or Self-Righteous
I have learned and am learning that much of God’s truth for us is quite subtle. In Romans chapter 4, Paul makes some statements that are quite easy to gloss over, but when you ponder them, they are quite profound. In Romans 4, Paul uses the case of Abraham to argue the concept of beingContinue reading “Righteous or Self-Righteous”
Evaluating Expectations
After breaking the bread and drinking from the cup, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives, where he told them they would all be scandalized because of him. Although they denied it, later that night they all would be. Peter was most vehement in his denial, so Jesus told him exactly what heContinue reading “Evaluating Expectations”
Speaking Truth
Jesus taught his disciples that when speaking their “yes” was to be “yes” and their “no” was to be “no”. He went on to explain that if they made a vow it was valid and to be kept. Later when addressing the religious leaders of his day, he rebuked them for their teaching the peopleContinue reading “Speaking Truth”
Understanding God
After Jesus descended from the mountain of transfiguration, he encountered a father, whose son was afflicted by a demon. Jesus dealt with the demon and healed the boy. When the disciples asked Jesus about their inability to cast it out, he said it was their little faith, which raises the question of how was theirContinue reading “Understanding God”
No Need to Hide
The transfiguration can be understood as a fulfillment of Jesus’ previous word that some would see him coming into his kingdom. Before Peter, James and John, Jesus shone like the sun and his clothes became white like light. Elijah and Moses also appeared with him. When a cloud enveloped the three disciples, a voice informedContinue reading “No Need to Hide”
David Freitag 