Reward that Lasts

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.13Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.14Then at the resurrection of the righteous, [...]

Attitudes of a Christian

Jesus turned and asked the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath?” …If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored. (Lk.14:3,11 CEV) Religious people are often legalistic and judgmental in their attitudes towards [...]

Kingdom of God

It is like what happens when someone plants a mustard seed in a garden. The seed grows as big as a tree, and birds nest in its branches.” …It is like what happens when a woman mixes yeast into three batches of flour. Finally, all the dough rises.” (Lk.13:19-22 CEV) Kingdom is where the King [...]

Going to God in Need or Greed

Then he said to the crowd, “Don’t be greedy! Owning a lot of things won’t make your life safe.” Your Father knows what you need. But put God’s work first, and these things will be yours as well. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy [...]

Christian Character

Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.  “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn [...]

Traditions versus Rituals

The LORD’s people left Egypt exactly four hundred thirty years after they had arrived. On that night the LORD kept watch for them, and on this same night each year Israel will always keep watch in honor of the LORD. (Exo.12:41-42 CEV) The Lord God brought the people of Israel out from their bondage in Egypt. [...]

The Principle of Redemption

For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see [...]

The Sovereign Ruler

 I have come to let you know what the LORD is going to do. About midnight he will go through the land of Egypt, 5and wherever he goes, the first-born son in every family will die. Your own son will die, and so will the son of the lowest slave woman. Even the first-born males of [...]

Apostles, Messengers and Workers

Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. Don’t take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don’t waste time greeting people on the road. As soon as you enter a home, say, “God bless this home with peace.” If the people living there are [...]

Oppressive Religion

The king sent for Moses and Aaron and told them, ” Now I have really sinned! My people and I are guilty, and the LORD is right. We can’t stand any more of this thunder and hail. Please ask the LORD to make it stop. Your people can go–you don’t have to stay in Egypt [...]