While Jesus performed many miracles during his time on this earth, maybe the one that most challenged the human experience of the Disciples and the rest of the crowd that looked on was the raising of Lazarus from the tomb. Humans do not understand the supernatural and God operates through supernatural powers and abilities and Jesus displayed these abilities over and over again. Any person who was aware that a family member or friend had died would be in a state of utter shock if that person stood up and regained life. It is unimaginable in our human experience. So, you can just imagine the response that the crowd gathered outside Lazarus’ tomb must have experienced as Jesus called out to him to emerge from the tomb. Even those with …
Jesus and the Woman at the Well
People who know this story from the Bible have said that their eyes well up in tears as they watch it dramatized. It is the story of Jesus addressing a Samaritan woman (John 4:4) who has been a sinner all her life and he shows the compassion and love for this sinner only Jesus could offer. Jesus rests at Jacob’s well outside of Samaria. He asks the woman for a drink, but since she knew he was a Jew, and Jews did not normally associate with Samaritans, she was immediately defensive. She doubts him when he says that he is the Messiah and then he recounts moments in her life that only God could possibly know. Her reaction to both the realization that this was God in the flesh, the …
The 21 – the killing of 21 faithful Christians by the Islamic State
In 2015, the Muslims in ISIS (the Islamic State) decapitated 21 Coptic Christian men. Many people witnessed the grisly video, which ISIS filmed and put online. The story behind the mass killing and the days leading up to it was turned into a short animated video (with a few brief images/video from the actual incident). The faith of these Egyptian men (and one Christian man from Ghana) was so incredible that it is one of the most extraordinary testimonials to faith in Jesus during our lifetimes. (along with the young Christian woman killed at Columbine). There are Christians killed and persecuted around the world by Islam nearly every day, especially in northern Africa and across many countries in the Middle East. As was the case with the 70 Christians who …
Spirit-Filled 3-Year-Old African Boy is Overcome – Jesus Died for Him
People who are Christian understand that Jesus died a terrible death so that we might be blessed with eternal life. It can be emotional to think about it instead of just accepting it in principle and repeating “Jesus died for my sins.” It was a terrible death and Jesus was mocked and persecuted. This little boy, singing the song Above All in his church in Africa, filled with the Spirit, clearly understands Jesus’ sacrifice, even at 3-years old and breaks down in tears at that thought. Anyone watching this will have tears in their eyes. Bless this little boy. He understand what many adults don’t.
The Rapture of the Church
The Rapture is an event that most Evangelical Christians believe in and understand will happen thanks to writings by the Apostle Paul and others in the Bible. While many who claim to be “Christian” and many non-believers don’t really understand what the Rapture means; it’s importance cannot be overstated. The Apostle Paul describes the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. The term “Rapture” comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” In verses 16 and 17, the Apostle Paul says: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with …
Thank God there are Young People Like Taylor
Although I know there are many devout Christians in the Gen-Z and Millennials generations; there aren’t many of them on social media putting out a message of Jesus’s love. Their efforts to evangelize to their generations should be appreciated. By leading people to Jesus, they are offering them eternal life with God. What better gift could you possibly give another person? One of those Gen-Z influencers, who is a blessing to her generation, is Taylor Alesia. Her enthusiasm for Jesus is compelling and her focus on Jesus is the right focus for anyone who may become a new Christian. Subscribe to her Youtube channel and get some great insights into the Bible, Christianity and current culture. See one of Taylor’s recent messages here:
The Apostle Paul’s Message to the Thessalonians
The Apostle Paul could not have been more clear and unambiguous in his message to the Thessalonians, found in chapter 4 and verses 13-18. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and …
Arguments for the Existence of God
There are far more intellectual arguments in favor of God than most believers realize when confronted by an Atheist or a non-believer. Those arguments can be broken down into several tools of logic or they can be used together in summation for a more powerful argument. I have often made a teleological argument myself, finding that to be really compelling and using other examples than those in this video, although the ones in the video are very good. I have also elicited Pascal’s Wager in discussions with non-believers. It may not be an argument for God, but it certainly is a logical argument for someone who may be marginal and not a steadfast Atheist. Credit for this video goes to Redeemed Zoomer, who even adds some humor to what could …
How Your Prayers will Work
A really great sermon by Pastor Bobby Schuller asking “What is Your Purpose” and starting with the story of Elijah from the Old Testament (and Elisha). Elijah had performed 7 miracles and was considered a superstar in his time. His disciple Elisha ended up performing 14 miracles after Elijah was taken up to Heaven. Schuller talks about having a vision. He talks about writing down goals. What does it take to achieve goals and make them more manageable? He says to “go for no” because after many “no’s,” there will be a “yes.” He talks about reframing things through the “lens of faith.” He talks about getting excited for the future. Most important, he refers to Mark 11:22 – 26, where Jesus talks about the importance of faith. ““Have faith …
Please Pray for Judge Frank Caprio
This website has a prayers page where people can request prayers for someone in need of prayer, but I decided to put this prayer request on the front page. Judge Caprio posted a request for prayers on December 6, 2023 on Youtube. As of 1/10/24, that short video had 8,358,205 views and 192,124 comments. Judge Caprio is very smart to ask for prayers. The judge is now in his 80s and was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Most doctors would give the judge little hope, but the Greatest Physician isn’t “most doctors.” The one who created us can also heal us. God is supernatural and his healing isn’t something we can understand. But, it requires faith. Jesus said that we must pray and believe. That takes faith because we are …