The Way of Satan and The Way of the Cross
If I walked around Brownwood this week and asked one question, “Who is Jesus?” I have no doubt I would get dozens of different answers. Some would call Him a good man. Others would say He was a great teacher, a prophet, or the Son of God. Some might even say, “He’s my Savior.” Everyone […]
Do You Not Yet Understand?
Have you ever had one of those moments where you recognize someone, but you just cannot figure out where you know them from? Earlier this summer, Tammy and I flew to Denver, rented a car, and drove to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the wedding of one of my best friend’s daughters. Along the way, we stopped […]
Hearing Fully & Seeing Clearly
There are moments when I realize I’ve been listening without really hearing. Someone is talking, I’m nodding along, but my mind is somewhere else. Then they ask a question, and I have to admit, “I’m sorry… could you say that again?” The same thing can happen spiritually. We can hear sermons, read Scripture, sing worship […]
You Can’t Fool God
If we’re honest, most of us are pretty good at evaluating people by what we can see. We notice the person who never misses church. The family whose children seem perfectly behaved. The Christian who knows all the right theological words. We naturally assume outward faithfulness reflects inward holiness. Sometimes that’s true. But sometimes appearances […]
Jesus Reveals Himself in the Storm
Mark 6:45-56 One of the greatest misconceptions about following Jesus is the belief that obedience should make life easier. Yet Mark 6 tells a very different story. Immediately after feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish, Jesus sends His disciples directly into a storm. The contrast is striking. One moment they witness overwhelming provision. […]
Feeding of the 5000: Jesus Provides Abundantly
Mark 6:30–44 The feeding of the five thousand ranks among Jesus’ most recognizable miracles, but Mark intends readers to see more than a supernatural meal. Placed immediately after Herod’s lavish birthday banquet, this story presents a striking contrast between two very different kings and two very different kingdoms. Herod’s feast displayed wealth, status, and self-indulgence. […]
When Kingdoms Collide
Mark 6:14-29 God’s Truth Troubles the Guilty Conscience The story of John the Baptist’s death begins with a troubled ruler. As news of Jesus spread throughout Galilee, Herod Antipas became convinced that John the Baptist had risen from the dead. Mark’s account reveals more than political anxiety. It exposes the power of a guilty conscience. […]
Hometown Zero (Mark 6:1-13)
When Familiarity Breeds Unbelief In Mark 6:1–13, Jesus returns to Nazareth and steps into what becomes a defining moment of rejection. Those who watched Him grow up struggle to accept who He truly is. They recognize His wisdom and miracles, yet they reduce Him to “the carpenter” and take offense at Him. This pattern mirrors […]
Faith Over Fear
Faith Over Fear in Hopeless Situations Fear often arrives suddenly. One phone call, one diagnosis, one difficult conversation, and life changes instantly. In Mark 5:21–43, two desperate people discover that fear does not get the final word when Jesus is present. Jairus, a respected synagogue leader, falls at Jesus’ feet because his daughter is dying. […]
Sow Seed and Trust God
The Hidden Growth of the Kingdom Jesus often used ordinary pictures to explain extraordinary truths. In Mark 4:26–29, He compares the Kingdom of God to a seed growing beneath the soil. Farmers scatter seed, but they cannot force growth. Life forms in hidden places through processes they cannot fully explain or control. That reality becomes […]
Persistently Pray for Wisdom (Matthew 7:7–12)
In a world that values quick answers, Jesus teaches something different: believers must persistently pray for wisdom. In Matthew 7:7–12, He calls His followers to ask, seek, and knock—not once, but continually. This teaching flows from everyday life. Children often approach their father repeatedly, not because they doubt his hearing, but because they trust his […]
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Model
The Lord’s Prayer as a Model, Not Mere Words The Lord’s Prayer functions as a blueprint, not a script to recite without thought. Jesus introduces it with a command: “Pray then, in this way.” He gives a model prayer that shapes how believers approach God. The Lord’s Prayer teaches structure more than repetition. Like architectural […]