Although the Bible doesn’t give a direct command on this issue, examples of fasting appear in both the Old and the New Testaments. One of the most telling passages in which fasting is mentioned is Matthew 6:16, where Jesus is teaching His disciples basic principles of godly living. When speaking on fasting, He begins with,…
In Between Despair and Joy
So far as we know, there has only been one day in the last two thousand years when literally not one person in the world believed Jesus was alive. On Saturday morning after Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples wake after not having slept for two days. The city that was screaming for blood the day before is quiet. Crowds…
7 Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross
7 Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross Throughout this Lenten season, Christians around the world are focusing on the gift of Salvation. Remembering the agony experienced by Jesus in His death on the Cross, crucified by Roman soldiers is so profound, isn’t it? In the final hours of His earthly time, as Jesus hung…
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus… got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing,… and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. — John 13:2-5 NIV It has been a…
When Your World Turns Against You
Get up, we must go. Look, here comes the man who has turned against Me. The words were spoken to Judas. But they could have been spoken to anyone. They could have been spoken to John, to Peter, to James. They could have been spoken to Thomas, to Andrew, to Nathanael. They could have been spoken to the Roman…
Holy Week Activities for Kids
The days and week before Easter, also known as Holy Week, can be a wonderful time of encouraging children to understand the significance of the days before Christ’s crucifixion and the resurrection. Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, is the week before Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter. Today we are focusing on…
This is Love – He Did This Just for You
Editor’s note: Today is Valentine’s Day! What a day to focus on God’s love for us through His son, Jesus! * Oh, the things we do to give gifts to those we love. But we don’t mind, do we? We would do it all again. Fact is, we do it all again. Every Christmas, every…
Satan Stalked Him
He faced all of the same temptations we do. — Hebrews 4:15 You and I know what it is like to endure a moment of temptation or an hour of temptation, even a day of temptation. But forty days? That is what Jesus faced. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty…
Lent: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease
Editor’s note: While the tradition of Lent and fasting (or giving something up) is not traditional for most evangelical Christians, there is a growing interest among many believers to use these weeks before Easter to draw closer to Christ, remember His sacrifice, and ready our hearts to celebrate His Resurrection! In her popular book 40 Days…
Lent: Uncluttering of the Soul
The sabbatical started more suddenly and violently than anticipated. A high fever, a few scans, multiple masses, possibly a lethal abscess… the specialists convened, conferred, counseled me to cancel all engagements, and began cutting. The reduction had begun. Though the masses, thankfully, were all benign, my body did not respond well to the invasion. The…