March 8, 2026

 

The Parables Of Jesus: 3

The Wise And Foolish Builders

At the conclusion of Jesus' Sermon On The Mount, which explains the meaning of the Ten Commandments, he tells us that if we only hear his words and do nothing, it's like building a house on the sand, and when we are put under pressure, our house will fall. Many people are good about going to church every Sunday and following along with religious ceremonies, but prefer to live a lifestyle that doesn't resemble Jesus's likeness by following his commands. It is all for show and not a true change of heart. They want others to believe they are holy, yet their actions signal something else. However, those who have truly been changed into the likeness of Jesus have built a firm foundation and are unlikely to fall under pressure.  

Being a Florida girl, I have seen what storms can do to a foundation during a hurricane, especially when the house is built near the beach. So many homes have had their foundations compromised because the builder didn't consider the possibility of a gigantic hurricane hitting the coast and devastating the coastline, washing away anything and everything the house was built upon. If we don't build our faith on Jesus and follow his commands, we are like a beach house built directly on the sand that gets washed away during a heavy storm. However, those who do follow Jesus' commands are like a steel structure that the builder dug deep into the ground and poured an immovable foundation that could withstand the test. Many who've stood in pulpits will one day discover that preaching is not enough; if their hearts are not changed, they too will be devastated when they finally meet Jesus. If you think God is going to let you into heaven by only claiming Jesus, you are mistaken. You must change your life to reflect his likeness, and do your best to follow his commands. No one is perfect, and we may get a little washed out when a storm hits, but with Jesus as our foundation, we will continue to stand. 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:24

March 7, 2026

The Parables Of Jesus: 2

The Log And The Speck

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:5

I notice subtle differences in facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language; this can help read a room, but it can also become a fault if I don't keep it in check, especially when expressed out loud. One thing I'm guilty of is noticing fashion. I try to dress appropriately for the occasion, but I know other people couldn't care less, and that's okay. However, when people require others to dress a certain way, they should also adhere to their own rules. 

Though not a great comparison, when I went to my grandson's middle school all-county orchestra concert, all the children were dressed in their formal black-and-white attire. They looked incredible and were dressed appropriately for the occasion. Then their teacher came out, wearing her sunglasses on her head, and her hair up in a claw clip. I wish I hadn't noticed, but I did, because it was out of place, given how she required the children to dress. She was probably a frantic mess, trying to keep the children together and make sure everything was perfect, so I understand how something like that could slip her mind. However, I mentioned it and immediately regretted saying it out loud. Even though I felt comfortable with the person I said it to, they gave her more grace than I had. Though this was not an egregious mistake on the teacher's part, my mistake was. I will now be more careful of how I speak of others; it was a good lesson for me in many ways. Sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut and our opinions between God and us. He gives us more grace than others will.

March 6, 2026

In continuing the study of the gospels by following the steps of Jesus, the parables are the next step. 

The Parables Of Jesus: 1

The Parable Of The Lamp

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

I woke up too early and lay in bed, overthinking everything. That’s when I noticed that the wall was lit as if there was a light on in the living room. Wondering what could have shone so brightly, I realized it was a tiny green light indicating power was going to the recliner. It’s probably not something that would be noticed, but because it was positioned away from the wall, that little light was as bright as daylight. It was disbursed through the door, reflecting onto my bedroom wall. For a light that was not that significant, you wouldn’t have thought it would have distributed enough to shine so brightly. 

With the world in such turmoil and Christians targeted, you might be tempted to cover your light to keep from being noticed, but once you experience Jesus, such an act is impossible. His love emanates from you to such a degree that you barely have to say a word for others to notice that you are a Christ-follower. Don’t hide yourself from the world; let them see Jesus through you, and if that means being prey, so be it; God will give you the courage to stand for him. In doing so, you will glorify the Father. What’s more beautiful than that?

March 5, 2026

MIRACLES OF JESUS: 37

The Second Miraculous Catch of Fish At The Sea Of Tiberias

The guide that I’ve been following, as with many other lists that consider the miracles of Jesus, does not list the transfiguration, his resurrection, walking through walls, or appearing out of nowhere and disappearing without a trace as miracles. But we know that in our mortal bodies we cannot do such things as this. If we count these as part of Jesus’ miracles, our final number of miracles recorded in the Bible is forty-one. Then, we should consider Jesus being caught away into the sky on Pentecost as a part of the miracles. However, according to other scholars, there are only thirty-seven, and the miraculous catch of fish on the Sea of Tiberias is the last one. But as you can see, I disagree and believe there are forty-two. I needed a guide because, if others have put in the work, why not use it to my advantage? Should I go on and cover these five or stop here? I’ll let you know tomorrow. 

After the resurrection, the disciples didn’t know what to do, so they went back to work. Imagine losing the only job you’ve known for the last three years and having to go back to your old ways; it must have been challenging for them. Peter, John, and five other disciples set out into the sea to fish. Catching nothing, they heard a call from the shore telling them to set their nets on the other side of the boat. It was Jesus, but they weren’t sure of who it was. After moving their nets, they caught an overwhelming number of fish; that’s when they realized that it was the Lord who had called to them. Peter, naked, hurried, put on his clothes, and swam to the shore to greet him. Jesus had already cooked the fish, and breakfast was ready when they got to shore, and they all ate breakfast together. Jesus then gave Peter instructions to feed his sheep. 

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:12

March 4, 2026

MIRACLES OF JESUS: 36

Jesus Heals A Servant's Ear While He Is Being Arrested

Judas, being one of Jesus' disciples, betrayed him and led a band of Roman soldiers, along with the chief priests and Pharisees, out to the Mount of Olives to arrest him. Jesus had avoided arrest for some time, but the timing had to be right so it coincided with the Passover. Jesus had allowed his disciples to have a sword to fulfill scripture, and they bought two. Jesus said, "That is enough." When these men, probably 500 to 1000 of them, approached Jesus, Peter, becoming overly anxious, took out his sword and cut off the high priest's servant's ear.

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. John 18:10

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:51

Can you imagine? At one of Jesus' worst possible moments of his life in the flesh, he chose to heal the man's ear that Peter had cut off. And yet, even seeing this miracle, they still chose to arrest Jesus and treat him like a criminal. It was his time, and this arrest wouldn't have happened unless Jesus had allowed it. If he had wanted to, he could have commanded the angels to help him, but scripture had to be fulfilled.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Matthew 26:53-54

What came after this can only be considered the greatest love that anyone could ever have for another: Jesus' sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection after three days in the grave.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

March 3, 2026

MIRACLES OF JESUS: 35

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree, And It Withers

We’ve all done it. We’ve read a story many times without really understanding its meaning. Finally, the story of the fig tree revealed its meaning to me. Jesus was on his way back to Jerusalem in the morning and was hungry when he saw a fig tree flourishing with leaves, and he wanted some figs even though they weren’t quite in season. I think he would have eaten them green if the tree had any. When he saw that there were none to be eaten, he cursed it never to produce again, and it withered immediately. The disciples were amazed.

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. Matthew 21:19

Not only did Jesus come to save, but he also came to judge. The fig tree that was cursed and withered is a representation of those who show up clothed in the beauty of righteousness, but produce no fruit. Further, if you do walk in righteousness, it is not of yourselves, but the righteousness of Jesus that you are clothed in. Salvation is life, and anyone outside of Jesus is doomed for destruction like the fig tree.

It was in this story that Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith and not doubt, they could move a mountain.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:21-22

Given this much power, we should use our words carefully, especially when it comes to the well-being of others.

March 2, 2026

MIRACLES OF JESUS: 34

Jesus Restores The Sight Of Blind Bartimaeus In Jericho 

Jesus was leaving Jericho with his followers and Zacchaeus on his last trip to Jerusalem when a blind man cried out to him, begging for his mercy. The crowd with Jesus tried to quiet him, but he cried out more, and Jesus heard him and called to him to come. That man was Bartimaeus, and leaving his cloak behind, he dropped everything that would hinder him from going to Jesus. Jesus touched him and said his faith had saved him. Bartimaeus then followed Jesus. In Matthew’s version, there were two blind men, but Mark and Luke only mention one, and only Mark tells us his name. The differences in these stories are important so that we know these men weren’t copying one another’s accounts of the details. 

What can we take away from this story? Though Jesus calls us, it is our faith in him that saves us. Bartimaeus heard about Jesus and believed he could heal him, which gave him enough faith to be saved. Historical information suggests that his father, Timaeus, was also blind, and that Bartimaeus may have been blind from birth, though the Bible doesn’t specify. If this is true, then this miracle is one of the outstanding proofs of Jesus’ deity to the Pharisees, who were full of unbelief. Their livelihood was at stake if they believed in him. 

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. Luke 18:42

March 1, 2026

MIRACLES OF JESUS: 33

Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead

The miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is Jesus' greatest miracle other than raising himself from the dead. Lazarus had been dead for four days and had already started to decompose. However, Jesus showing us that he was God, not only was he able to reconstruct Lazarus's rotting body and make it whole again, but he also gave him the use of all his faculties. Why did Jesus groan and weep before he performed this miracle? I think his weeping showed that he was fully human and sympathetic to the tears of those who were grieving, but not only that: he was bringing Lazarus back into a broken world from a state of peace in the presence of God. For that reason, when we escape death, we say that God is not finished using us in this world, because we know that rest comes when our soul is home with Jesus. For this reason, Jesus teaches us not to fear what man can do to us, because he knows that when our life is over in the flesh, we will be safe and secure in life beyond this realm, where only he has dominion over us; that's a wonderful place to be. 

This miracle stirred up the Pharisees and pointed to Jesus being God because no one had ever raised someone from the dead after four days. I can picture them seething over it. They knew they were about to be found out for their fraud and faulty teachings. They feared that Jesus was going to usurp the authority they had become quite comfortable in, so anyone who came along and disrupted them was at risk of death, which is why they came after Jesus so hard. 

If you are wavering at all in your faith that Jesus is God, ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, help you overcome your unbelief, and cultivate a relationship with him. It will be the best thing you've ever done for your well-being. 

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. John 11:44-45

February 28, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 32

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem when ten lepers saw him and called out to him from a distance, begging him to heal them. They cried out, “Master, have mercy on us.” 

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. Luke 17:14

All of these men were cleansed; however, only one turned back to worship Jesus, and he was a Samaritan. The others never returned to give Jesus the respect that he deserved. We need to show our gratitude right away when Jesus blesses us because he notices when we don’t. Not only that, but we should testify to God’s mercy on us. 

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17:17-19

February 27, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 31

Jesus Heals A Man With Edema On The Sabbath

Talk about walking into a lion’s den; Jesus went to a Pharisee’s home to eat bread on the Sabbath! He asked the Pharisees and lawyers whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, but they all remained silent. There was a man there swollen with edema, and he healed him. He didn’t stop there and asked them if their ox had fallen into a ditch, would they get it out? Again, they didn’t speak, but we know they wouldn’t leave it there to die because that would cut into their profits. 

Jesus came, not only to redeem us from our sins, but also to cut through all the fence laws the people had enacted to give them a barrier to cross before breaking the actual commandment. We have a good Father who would never chastise us for caring about others and helping them; we can see this in Jesus’s actions and his loving care for people in need. He set the example for how we should treat people and was respectful and caring. If you want to be like Jesus, and as a Christ-follower, that should be your goal, then read through the gospels, concentrate on Jesus’ words, and learn from him; he is our very best example.

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? Luke 14:3-5

February 26, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 30

Jesus Heals A Woman With A Disabling Spirit

Jesus was visiting a synagogue on the Sabbath when he saw a woman who had been crippled and bent over for 18 years. 

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:12-13

We know from scripture that the devil and his evil cronies are instruments of God and He can use them in any way he pleases. Sometimes He allows the enemy to touch us and give us an infirmary as a test of our faith. Even in her condition, she knew it was right to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath to worship God. She had made a good choice that day since she was there when Jesus came in. What was enlightening about this situation was that the ruler of the synagogue wasn’t impressed by the healing and said unto the people, “There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.” Jesus tore into this man and reminded him that even on the Sabbath, men will lead their ox out of the stall to get water. A mere touch and command was considered work.

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Luke 13:16

Jesus shamed his adversaries, and the people rejoiced. 

The religious spirit that was upon his adversaries and the ruler of the synagogue is alive and well in the churches of today, causing many to stick to rules rather than comfort the people God has given them to care for. I watched a man crumple under the weight of his adversaries, who were supposed to be his disciples and future leaders of the church, turn on him in a time of crisis, and rather than console him and try to comfort him, they chose vague rules to chastise him and demand that he step down. That is the religious spirit at work! That congregation is so much more peaceful and better off without such people. If you agree with harsh rulers, you might be the one with the religious spirit. Repent and turn from your wicked ways if this rings true for you. Those of us who love people will console others at their weakest moments rather than add to their misery. We must adhere to the greatest rule: love God and love people.

February 25, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 29

Jesus Heals A Deaf and Blind Man

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. Matthew 12:22

Imagine how this guy felt after having his ears and eyes opened at the same time, only to hear the commotion of the Pharisees accusing Jesus and saying, “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” I assume they were whispering this among themselves because in the next verse, it says that Jesus read their minds and responded, telling them that the devil wouldn’t cast out a devil and that a house divided wouldn’t stand. Then Jesus said:

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30

This verse should be emphasized, especially in this day and age, when we have a hard time discerning the difference between good and evil; if we are not for Christ, then we are against him. We need to keep this in mind with everything we are involved in and filter our actions through the word of God, ensuring what we do is not contrary to the teaching of Jesus. 

Further in the text, Jesus mentions that all sin will be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will not be forgiven in this world or the next. That should send shivers down your spine because it is hard to define what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is other than accusing him of being evil. However, if you are a Christ-follower and concerned with crossing the line into blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, that concern is a good sign that you haven’t and won’t. So relax, you are safe.  

February 24, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 28 

The Temple Tax From The Fish

Back in Capernaum, where Peter lived, and Jesus made his headquarters, the person who collected the temple tax asked Peter about Jesus paying it. Stopping Peter from asking him about it, knowing what he was thinking, he said, "What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Matthew 17:26

Jesus said this because, as the Son of God, he shouldn't have had to pay, but to avoid causing trouble, he agreed to pay. However, he wouldn't use any of the money from the collection to sustain the disciples; instead, he told Peter to go fishing and said the first fish he caught would contain a coin that would be enough to pay for both of their taxes. This tax was not the Roman tax, but a tax for the use of the temple to help maintain it. If Jesus hadn't paid it, it would have caused an uproar in the community, and it wasn't quite time for that. 

Jesus didn't just hand Peter the money or collect it from an angel. Since it was Peter's job to catch fish, Jesus had him work to get it. However, he made it a little easier for him since he only had to catch one fish with a hook and collect the coin from its mouth. Though it is not written in the Bible, you could say that his story teaches that God helps those who help themselves. In case you are wondering, there is a verse in scripture that says, "If you don't work, you don't eat," written by Paul.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10