God can fix any problem. Any problem. In New Testament times, a woman without a man to care for her and take responsibility for her was completely helpless, and that’s the situation this widow faced when her only son died. So, she wasn’t just grieving the loss of a loved…

“He is worthy for You to grant this to him.” That’s what the elders said about a Roman centurion who wanted Jesus to heal his slave. They were impressed not only by his concern for a person of much lesser social status but also by his generosity: the centurion had…

“Sure, I trust Jesus. Years ago, I walked the aisle and said the ‘sinner’s prayer.’ Because of that, I’ve got my heavenly fire insurance paid up. So, I don’t have to be concerned anymore about what I do or how I treat other people. I’ve been saved by grace!” Maybe…

“Do not judge, lest you be judged:” that’s probably the most quoted verse in the Bible these days. It is thrown in the face of anyone who would dare to presume the existence of any absolute moral standards, and it is used to justify so many people’s craving for complete…

“Do not be anxious.” That’s what Jesus says, but that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? When the right decision is not obvious, when we are faced with losing what is dearest to us, when the circumstances of our lives slip out of our control, worry is as natural as…

We’ve all heard that “You are what you eat,” and it’s obvious that our physical bodies are composed of the nutrients that we consume. But what is it that gives focus and direction to our bodies and minds? Jesus says it’s the things on which we fix our attention: “The…

Well, if we modern American Christians have a hard time setting aside time for prayer, fasting isn’t anywhere on our radar screen. In our practical minds, we just don’t see the point in going without food or any other good or necessary thing just so that we can focus our…

“Lord, teach us to pray.” That’s what Jesus’ disciples asked Him in Luke chapter 11, and we are still in need of such instruction, aren’t we? For don’t we usually start our prayers with a lot of requests for ourselves and our loved ones? In fact, don’t we find ourselves…

So, why do we do good deeds? Let’s be honest: it gives us a good feeling to help other people, doesn’t it? We all like to see the reaction on someone’s face when he or she opens a gift from us. But in today’s passage Jesus challenges us to take…

“An eye for an eye.” That’s what Moses taught back in Exodus 21:24, and ever since that time, people have used this verse to justify getting back at those who have harmed us. But if you look closely at the context of Moses’ teaching, he’s actually placing limits on the…