On the heels of Peter's great confession, comes evidence of great confusion still. He may have been persuaded of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, but he still had a long way to go in his understanding of God's plans to redeem the world from sin through the suffering...read >>
admonish, cross, crucifixion, faith, hope, instruction, Jesus, love, love, Peter, rebuke, Satan, teaching, transformation, truth It's very hard to know how to get somewhere when you don't know where you're going.
Do you know where you're going? Do you know why you're here, what your purpose in life really is, why you exist?
Jesus makes some of His greatest promises in our passage today. His...read >>
Crowds brought Him their sick for healing. Herod, on the other hand, was hostile toward Jesus. The religious leaders, the Pharisees & Sadducees, persecuted the Christ, they wanted Him dead. So many different reactions to Jesus.
In our passage today, we hear...read >>
Bar-Jonah, Christ, confession, faith, Jesus, Messiah, Peter, Simeon, Simon, Son of the living God, truth The King & His Kingdom had arrived. And with that, things were changing. Light was swallowing up all the shadows of the past. What was once thought to set God's people apart—the law—now meets its Maker. And as He spoke and declared the meaning of...read >>
When stuck in the mud with a bleak prognosis, O how tempting it is to say "Why me?" and compare ours to "greener grass".
Peter was tempted too, but his Good Shepherd wouldn't have it. Peter needed to learn to trust the Lord.
Jesus had a...read >>
The weight of past sins and failures can absolutely immobilize.
Are you living under the weight of your failures? Whether your sin resides in the privacy of your own heart or in the public arena for all to see, Jesus redeems.
Few knew failure like Peter. But...read >>
Has religious labor got you down, out, and spent? Maybe it's time to pull up your empty nets, head back to the dock, have breakfast with Jesus on shore at daybreak.
Crazy love produces crazy love! Meet with your Beloved. He'll take care of the rest.read >>
Sometimes it isn't what you see, but what you don't see that brings about faith and confidence in the Lord. This is certainly the case in today's passage.
Faith is a big deal, with eternal consequences... this isn't something you want to get wrong! Whose faith more...read >>
The Savior proclaims & protects while the Rock denies & denounces any association with Him.read >>
God is revealed in, to, and through those who love, keep, and do His Word.read >>
Peter desperately wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus knew that wasn't going to happen...at least not yet. Peter would eventually be able to stand and follow Jesus, but He had to first wait for the right source of power, the Holy Spirit, to transform his life.read >>
GRACE: Unmerited Favor
Sounds easy enough. But is it? Is God's grace easy to receive?
Truth be told, undeserved favor is taboo for most of us... especially when it comes from God. Something for nothing? Better (or harder) still, something good in exchange for...read >>
We're in no position to think we know all that Jesus is up to. Having said that, it sure seems as though He is intent on offending His onlooking, grumbling, confounded Jewish audience.
Why? What's the purpose? What don't they understand or see rightly that would...read >>
blood, bread of life, dependence, devil, eternal life, exalt, flesh, Judas, passover, Peter, sovereign 