Matthew 15:27Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.This has to be the greatest comeback line in all the Bible. This Canaanite woman was on her game, wasn’t she? She gets ignored, scorned, slighted, overlooked, and then downright insulted. And, yet, she still has enough pluck to fire back the cleverest response imaginable. Essentially she says, “I’m here, and...  Read More

Matthew 14:27Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.Sometimes our eyes will play a trick on us. The disciples thought they saw a ghost, but, no, it was only Jesus. I wonder how many times we peer into the scary mist, the big unknown, and come to the conclusion that the worst is about to happen. We fear the cancer treatment plan. We are uneasy about that move across the country. We are nervous about...  Read More

Matthew 13:22  The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word. Recently we were given a gift certificate to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian Restaurant in Portland. I was told to save your appetite 'cause it’s an all-you-can-eat experience and the food is amazing. Well, that afternoon I got hungry, and so I went over to the cupboard and got myself down some canned chicken. That was...  Read More

Matthew 12:25  Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Diversity does not mean division. Diversity is a good thing. It’s good to have differences of opinion whether it be in marriage, in business, or on a team. Diversity offers balance and a well-rounded perspective. Diversity becomes a problem, though, when there’s not enough rel...  Read More

Matthew 11:30  My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The burdens of life can feel a bit crushing at times. The cares and concerns begin to weigh you down. People place unreasonable expectations on your shoulders. Sometimes you feel swamped and don’t know where to turn. That’s when Jesus says, ‘Come unto me’ (verse 28). Roll your cares onto my shoulders, because I care for you (1 Peter 5:7). Her...  Read More

Matthew 10:5-6  Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Sometimes Jesus puts certain restrictions on our life for certain periods of time. He closes the door. He tells us “no.” In the moment, we think he’s just being harsh or unfair. He prohibits and he withholds. Why? Well, at least in this situation, the time wasn...  Read More

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Do you know there are over 90 churches in Gresham? That might seem like a lot, but, honestly, I think Jesus would say that’s not nearly enough. Think about it. Gresham has a population of more than 110,000 people – who, many of which, are harassed and helpless. An...  Read More

Matthew 8:3 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Leprosy was a dangerous and filthy disease. And, as a result, lepers were driven out of society. They lived in colonies, removed from the city and by themselves. It was just best that way. So, when this leper runs up to Jesus in desperation, we should hear the gasp of the crowd, see the mothers scuttle their kids to the side, and smell the f...  Read More

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Do you believe? My prayer is that our hearts will believe this promise of Jesus in the year 2020. If you ask, He will act! He will act on your behalf. It might not be the way you want him to. It might not be the timing of your choice. It might not even be the answer that you expected. But He ...  Read More

Matthew 6:24 You cannot serve God and money. When I was still single and getting interested in my future wife, I knew we had to have “the talk.” You know, “the DTR” (the “define the relationship” talk). And once we did, we entered an exclusive relationship. We agreed to see no one else. We belonged to each other. Well, do you know that when you entered a relationship with God you entered an exclusi...  Read More

Matthew 5:25If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. As you can see here, right relationship is one of Jesus’s highest priorities. He says don’t even finish what you’re doing. First, go and reconcile with your broth...  Read More

Matthew 4:4 (The Message) Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.” What a phenomenal statement: “he will save his people from their sins.” And notice, the angel doesn’t say he will save his people from the fires of hell. Sometimes I think that’s what we mean when we say “saved.” And although it’s true, his ...  Read More