When Jesus drove the money-changers out of the temple during His last week (Mark 11:15), it is sometimes wondered if this was some uncontrolled, knee-jerk, flying-off-the-handle reaction that He had to the indiscretions of these money-hungry guys. Or, is it possible that His response was more calculated, thought out and measured than we might realize? There is an interesting statement four verses earlier. In…

Pokémon GO has taken the world by storm. Guys are skipping out of work. Husbands are out capturing until late at night. Trainers are battling each other to level up. It is fun to watch friends excitedly playing and competing in this new mobile game. So, what if the church building was a recurring PokéStop? No, not for the game (I’ve moved…

One of the greatest events in the closing weeks of Jesus’ life was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. As a result of that great miracle, “many of the Jews…believed in Him” (John 11:45). However, the chief priests, the Pharisees and the Jewish council “plotted to put Him to death” (11:53). They became so desperate to stop people from believing in…

People. People. People. What can we say about them? They encourage us and then discourage us, impress us and then disappoint us, inspire us and then irritate us. Too often, the people in our lives let us down, lie to us or leave us in a lurch.  What are we to do? First, let’s remember that our faith needs to be in…

In your imagination, picture the face of Jesus.  What expression was on His face as the devil was tempting Him?  What expression was on His face when His own brothers wanted nothing to do with Him?  What expression was on His face as He turned over the tables in the temple?  What expression was on His face when He saw Mary and…

During His last week on earth, while Jesus was teaching in the temple (cf. Luke 19:47), Matthew records that “the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple” (Matt. 21:14). How many times have you read that statement? But, have you ever stopped to wonder, “How?” We read frequently of others who “came to Jesus” (ex: His disciples, multitudes, a…

Thoughts are a very private matter. They are in your own head–a place where no human can enter other than you. So how is it that someone can say, “I know what you’re thinking”? The Bible speaks about this when it says, “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” (1…

There has been a box of brand new pens on my shelf for several years, and every few months I pull another out. (Pens just seem to disappear around the office.) A few days ago, I pulled the last pen from that box. It was dried out. After several seconds (and pieces of scrap paper) of making circles, it finally came to…