Forty-five years after the twelve spies returned from spying out the Promised Land and the people of Israel believed and followed the pessimistic perspective of the ten spies, Caleb recalled the effect of that faithless report. This faithful spy, in his old age, said, “My brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt” (Josh. 14:8). This same evaluation…

3,500 years ago, the king of Egypt grew increasingly concerned about the size and might of the Israelite nation. The king instructed the Hebrew midwives to take matters into their hands: “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a…

The city of Joppa was a natural harbor along the Mediterranean coast and was a well-traveled commercial seaport. When the beloved Dorcas became sick and died, the disciples sent for Peter in nearby Lydda. Peter travelled about 10 miles to Joppa and did the unthinkable…the amazing…the thrilling—he raised Dorcas from the dead. Would you believe that nobody really cared and that the news of that…

Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law is one of those fascinating miracles of Christ, and it is only given a very few verses in Scripture (Matt. 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39). The text says that she was sick with a high fever and had been laying in the bed for a while. Jesus came, rebuked the fever, took her by the hand, and the fever left…

When Moses began to make excuses to God about why he was not the right spokesperson to go to Pharaoh, God asked Moses this question, “Who has made man’s mouth?” (Ex. 4:11). What a question! The very organ of which Moses claimed he was lacking was given to him by his Maker. So, who made your mouth? While we’re at it, who…

Context is everything, right? How would you answer the question, “What are you?” It all depends, doesn’t it? Depending on the situation, you might answer that you are a man or a woman. A northerner or a southerner. A Democrat or a Republican. An omnivore or a vegetarian. An SEC fan or Big Ten fan. Some of these categories of identification find strong, loyal advocates—to the point that such identification…

Forgiveness can be hard. Have you ever said (or heard someone say), “I will NEVER forgive him/her for that!”? Or, “How could I ever forgive him/her for that?” Yes, forgiveness is hard! But, when you choose to not forgive, you are disobeying a command of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3). And not just…

By both His words and His actions, Jesus emphasized the need to help out a brother who is in need. Jesus noted that since anyone would help their donkey or ox out of a pit that he should be willing to do what he can when he can to help out a brother even more (Luke 14:1-5). Of course, Jesus did not limit…