The Family in the Parking LotPicture a family pulling into the church parking lot on a future Sunday. The father gives a stern warning. The mother straightens clothes. The children are nervous. They a...  Read More

On the Mountain, Praying Through NightJesus went up on a mountain to pray. He continued all night in prayer to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him. From them, He chose twelve men. H...  Read More

The Traitor Who Heard It AllJudas Iscariot heard Jesus teach. He saw the miracles and traveled with the twelve. Jesus even washed his feet. Judas had a place among the apostles without a heart that tr...  Read More

Grace for the Growing HeartJesus named Simon, whom He also called Peter. This man had a heart to follow Jesus and a mouth that often arrived ahead of his brain. Jesus called him knowing full well that...  Read More

Chosen While Still FollowingJesus chose twelve men from among His disciples. They were already followers before He appointed them apostles. They were already learning and spending time with Him. He ca...  Read More

From Prayer to Purposeful ActionWhen morning came, Jesus called His disciples to Him. The night of prayer led directly to a morning of action. He did not stay on the mountain while the work waited bel...  Read More

The Mountain of All-Night PrayerJesus went up a mountain to pray. The crowds were growing. The opposition was hardening. Real needs and angry critics surrounded Him. In those demanding days, Jesus con...  Read More

The Miracle and the FuryThe man stretched out his hand and it was completely restored. It was whole, just like the other. You would expect the room to erupt in praise. Instead, it filled with fury. Th...  Read More

Anger and Grief Over Hard HeartsBefore Jesus healed the man, He looked around at the entire gathering. Mark’s gospel tells us Jesus felt both anger and grief. His anger was a righteous response to the...  Read More

 Stretch Forth Your HandJesus knew the critical thoughts of the religious leaders. He understood their hostility. Yet He did not allow their reaction to dictate His obedience to the Father. He called ...  Read More

Watching for an AccusationThe scribes and Pharisees fixed their eyes on Jesus. They watched for a miracle not with hope, but with hostility. They wanted to use the man’s healing as evidence against Je...  Read More

 A Withered Hand in the SynagogueJesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. A man with a withered right hand was also there. The religious leaders watched Jesus closely. They were not hoping for a ...  Read More