Tag Archives: Christian

Speaking in Parables Again

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Don Merritt

After their first skirmish, Jesus tells the Jewish religious leaders three parables that combine to form a serious indictment of their continual, chronic and habitual refusal to hear God’s truth. If you have not read Saturday’s post Rising Tensions I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, Matthew | 8 Comments

The Power of the Gospel

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Don Merritt

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Of course not! … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged attitude, Bible, Christian, Devotional, encouragement, Gospel, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 8 Comments

Rising Tensions

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 21:23-27 It is day 2 in Jerusalem. Jesus arrives at the Temple in the morning, and the Jewish leaders are waiting for Him; they are ready to challenge Him. What they probably didn’t understand, was that they were playing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, Matthew | 11 Comments

The Private Move

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 21:18-22 As I mentioned a couple posts back, Jesus would make three moves that declare His Messianic identity upon His arrival at Jerusalem; the first two were public, His triumphal entry, and His clearing of the Temple. Now we … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Matthew | 11 Comments

The Seat of Corruption

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 21:12-17 For the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of everything Jewish, the very center of the Jewish people and Nation. It was the embodiment (if I can use that term for a building) of their very … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Matthew | 4 Comments

…and thus the drama begins

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus makes the first move in the rising conflict, actually, He makes three moves, two of which are in public, and one in private. All three moves have something in common; He is answering the question “Who do … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Matthew, spiritual warfare | 5 Comments

The Rising Conflict

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 21-25 With the end of chapter 20, we have concluded the section that spans from 16:21-20:34 in which Jesus tries to reveal His true messianic mission to the disciples. With the end of the section, we have come to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, Matthew | 7 Comments

Photo of the Week: January 13, 2016

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Don Merritt

Back in 2011 I did a photo essay about the stained glass windows in my house, and the other day i thought I would try a few more shots of those windows. I kind of like this one since the … Continue reading →

Posted in Photo of the Week | Tagged 19th Century, Christian, photography, photos, stained glass, Victorian houses | 11 Comments

Travelling on the Roman Road

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Don Merritt

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Matthew | 5 Comments

The Interruption

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 20:20-28 Jesus took the disciples aside on the road to Jerusalem to tell them in very explicit terms what would happen when they arrived in the city, and before we could hear their reaction, the mother of James and … Continue reading →