Category: Christian Spirituality
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The Hidden Kingdom and the Purpose of Parables (Pt 2)
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their…
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The Hidden Kingdom and the Purpose of Parables (Pt 1)
Then the disciples came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them. For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have…
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A Sower Went Out to Sow: Jesus in the Field of the World
On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out…
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The Unclean Spirit Returns: Jesus and the Tragedy of a Generation Lost
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. Then it says, “I’ll go back to my house that I came from.” And returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order. Then off it goes and brings with it seven…
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The Storeroom of Our Hearts: Receiving the Good Gifts of God
How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. (Matthew 12:34–35) In commenting on this passage, the Expositor’s Bible Commentary sums…
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Listen to Your Heart: Finding the Way to Goodness and Grace
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things…
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Make the Good Tree Good: Jesus and the Call to Integrity
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. (Matthew 12:33-34) It’s pretty rare that…
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Eternal Horizons: How Jesus’s Mission Required Him to Trust the Father, and How We Must Do the Same (Jesus the Servant, Pt 2)
Hey everyone: My new book is out! You can pick up The Way of Restoration: Following Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount at Amazon or your favorite retailer, in ebook, paperback, and hardcover editions. And with that, I am resuming new writing on the blog. Thank you for your prayers and support, especially those…
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The Tragedy of the Pharisees: How Good People Become Enemies of God (Repost)
(Hey everyone! I am working hard getting the Sermon on the Mount book out. It is titled “The Way of Restoration: Following Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount”. In the meantime, I am reposting one of the posts in the series for you. Enjoy the sneak peak of the book to come!) When the…
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Living in the Public Eye: How Jesus Related to the Masses and Why We Can’t Remain in the Crowd (Repost)
(Hey everyone! I am working hard getting the Sermon on the Mount book out. It is titled “The Way of Restoration: Following Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount”. In the meantime, I am reposting one of the posts in the series for you. Enjoy the sneak peak of the book to come!) When Jesus…