Rebel to Redeemed…Sharing HIS Kind of Love
I have a vendor who can be very overpowering in personality. This person does not hesitate to try and exert influence to accomplish their will. This can be so overwhelming that it is easy to feel bullied at times. Through the process of our acquaintance, I have had to learn to stand up for myself and my department. This means […]
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Last year for Easter, we took a look at Mary Magdalene and the role she played in the resurrection. This year as we head into the Easter season, we are going to explore the role Peter played in Jesus ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and the early church. But, before we start, who was Peter? “And Jesus, walking by the sea of […]
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“No one who is rightly minded turns from true belief to false.” Those were the words uttered by Justin Martyr when asked to denounce his faith and make a sacrifice to the Roman gods. Justin was born in Flavia Neapolis, a Roman city, around 100 A.D.. He probably lived a traditional Roman life and we know he was raised by […]
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Last week, we took a look at the song of Zacharias and how he foretold that his son would point the way to redemption and the plan of salvation. In closing this series on the Eyewitness to Christmas, the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, let’s take a look at the child they had. The last verse in Luke 1 gives […]
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Paul, was the author of the Hall of Faith found in Galatians. However, his own life was based on faith and he could very well be listed in the Hall of Faith. As I wind up the Hall of Faith series and prepare for the Heroes of Faith series, I could think of no one better than the apostle Paul […]
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When reading the Hall of Faith, one of those listed as those that “were stoned”. Stephen perfectly fits this bill. But, who was Stephen? Acts 6, sets the scene by stating the disciples decided to call seven men “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” {Acts 6:3} “And the […]
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Throughout the gospels, the book of Acts and epistles we see the evolution of Simon Peter from fisherman to leader of the early church. So, what can we learn about Peter? “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.” {Matthew […]
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Love is a word that we seem to throw around the way we might throw a pillow. I love this food… I love this sweater… I love this house… I love this car… I love, I love, I love…. As we begin our study on the fruits of the spirit, the first fruit mentioned is love. So, what does the […]
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In discussing who in the New Testament deserves to be listed in the Hall of Faith, Mary Magdalene seems a very logical choice. Other than Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is listed among the women who were the most faithful followers of Jesus. Her name derives from Luke 8:2 which says “Mary, called Magdalene.” The town of Magdala […]
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No one mentioned in the New Testament is actually listed in the Hall of Faith. However, there are some in the New Testament that definitely deserves to be in the New Testament. More than anyone would be Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of Jesus. They truly walked in faith and believed when the angel appeared to them. In the […]
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Working of Miracles—1 Corinthians 12:28 says “then miracles”. When we think of miracles the first miracles that usually come to mind are those of Jesus. These miracles proved his power and that He was the son of God. However, other miracles were also performed throughout the Bible such as Elijah and Elisha raising from the dead, Daniel in the lions […]
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The Way of the Cross Leads Home was written by Jessie B. Pounds. Jessie Hunter Brown was born on August 31, 1861 in Hiam, Ohio. She is described as having been a “poorly” child in health and was educated at home. At age 15, she began submitting articles to Cleveland newspapers and various religious publications. She married John Pounds, a pastor of […]
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Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb on that first day of the week to discover the tomb is empty. They are afraid, but an angel tells them that Jesus is not there but has risen. The women rush to tell the disciples, who does not believe them. This is where we left off last week. Reading the gospel accounts, […]
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We left Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion. Jesus is dead and they have taken his body to the grave, but the Sabbath was beginning and the women could not prepare his body. So, they go home to follow the Jewish customs of the day. We’re not told where they were, but more than likely they were together. John 20:1 tells […]
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I recently had a friend ask me about Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The individual, who was not raised in church, believed that they were married and the misconception that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. This belief that she was a prostitute began in the Middle Ages, when several women mentioned in the scriptures were combined. But, then my friend […]
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Can you imagine what the disciples and followers of Jesus must have said as word spread that he was not in the tomb? The words, “He lives” seem to be one option that is plausible. The hymn was composed in 1933 by Alfred Henry Ackley. Alfred Ackley was born on January 21, 1887. His father was a Methodist Minister who […]
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The next mention we have of Mary Magdalene after Jesus heals her, is of her presence at the crucifixion. Luke 23:49 says, “”women who had followed him from Galilee” standing at a distance”, but does not mentioned these women by name. However, the other three gospels do mention these women and among them is Mary Magdalene. Matthew 27:56, says, “Among them […]
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In thinking about the story of Easter, there are only a select handful of people mentioned as having a first hand view of the crucifixion and resurrection. Mary, the Mother of Jesus is one of those mentioned at these events and with her is Mary of Magda or as we refer to her today, Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is mentioned at […]
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Before the last supper, Jesus knelt down and washed the disciples feet. He humbled himself and served his disciples. In John 13, Jesus explained why he provided this service. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as […]
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Lovest Thou Me? is another beautiful song by Bill and Gloria Gaither. This song is based on John 21. To provide a little background, Peter denied Jesus three times “before the rooster crows” on the night Jesus was crucified. Jesus had predicted this to Peter before he was arrested. {John 18: 13-27} After Jesus was crucified and rose from the […]
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