Category: Faith in the Struggle

Come With Me If You Want to Live

Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Here, Jesus articulates the great paradox of the Christian faith.  If I pursue myself to find life, I will fail.  It is only when I forfeit self to pursue God, that I truly live.  This is not…
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Violent Jesus?

Matthew 10:34,37 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Sometimes Jesus words to not sound very Jesus-like.  I have, in my mind, a very clear idea…
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WWSD?

Matthew 10:32,33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. I have always read such verses and wondered, What Would Scott Do?  If, like Peter, I were questioned…
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Where Do I Find My Value?

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. When I was in kindergarten, as my last name is…
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Jesus’ Pep Talk

Matthew 10:16,28 I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…  Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Jesus’ pep talk to his disciples prior to sending them out into the world was a…
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Great Plan God…

Matthew 9:36,37 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless… Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” I have never thought that God’s plan…
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Do I Know or Believe?

Matthew 9:27-30 …Two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” … and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” I think…
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Touching God

Matthew 9:20-22 …A woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said… “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned…and said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was…
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When God is Distant

Matthew 9:14,15 Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them, Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. During our engagement, my wife…
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Terminally Ill

  Matthew 9:12,13 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick… I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Modern medicine sees addiction as a disease, a view which chafes some.  The rub is that addiction involves apparently volitional behavior. …
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