Jesus Starts at the Bottom Picture a woman who is about to rappel down the side of a tall cliff. Before taking off down the rock’s face, she will first make certain that the rope is long enough to reach the bottom. If the top of the cliff is one hundred feet high, she is…
Jesus OBS Week 4 — Great Teacher
Coming to His hometown, He began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. — Matthew 13:54 The Hope Diamond of the Bible — “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16…
Be Moved. Do Something.
Be Moved Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same. — Luke 3:11 NIV Human hurt is not easy on the eyes. Yet there is something fundamentally good about taking time to see a person. Simon the Pharisee once disdained Jesus’…
Liberty
The Liberty Bell Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me… to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives. — Luke 4:18 NKJV The Liberty Bell, one of the most familiar and beloved symbols of American independence and freedom, is now housed in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia’s Independence…
Signs of Being Spirit-Filled
Editor’s note: Today, we celebrate Pentecost! Holy Spirit fire! If the commemoration of Pentecost is new to you or you just want to remember the falling of the Holy Spirit on Christ’s first followers in Jerusalem, read Acts 2:1-4 and then continue to read how lives were changed when God the Holy Spirit was released…
Why Jesus’ Unconditional Love Toward Women Is Good News
Jesus saw the woman caught in adultery as a beloved daughter, His creation, someone to be nurtured and enabled, someone for whom He was willing to die, someone for whom He had a vital purpose and destiny. He entered a male-dominated culture that devalued women, and to the consternation of the powerful men around Him,…
No Surprises for God
Editor’s Note: Adapted from ECPA Gold Medallion–winner Jesus Today®, this devotional has the same themes as the adult version, as well as written-out scriptures. It is a great choice for families to read and discuss during devotional time together. * * * Don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow? That’s okay, because I do. And I…
You Anoint My Head With Oil
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. — Psalm 23:5 To the freed slaves, God smelled like cinnamon, cassia, olive oil, and myrrh — sweet and earthy, nutty and warm. When Moses met God on Mount Sinai, God sent him back with a recipe for oil. This oil would anoint the temple, the altar, the religious furnishings, even…
A Heart Like Jesus
What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you? What if, for twenty-four hours, Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your schedule? Your boss becomes His boss, your mother becomes His mother, your pains become His pains? With one exception, nothing about your life changes. Your health doesn’t change. Your…