Scripture: Matthew 12: 26-30

²⁶ And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. ²⁷ And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. ²⁸ But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. ²⁹ For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. ³⁰ “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

Scripture Commentary: A house divided cannot stand.

Many of us played tug of war as children. There are two people or teams trying to pull the opposing team across a line drawn in the ground. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12 that we can’t be on both teams. You can’t be divided and fighting against yourself. You have to choose a side.

On one side is Christ. His side represents love for one another, and helping and praying for each other. On the other side is Satan. On that side is money, lust, power, and me, myself and I.

In Jesus’s time, the Pharisees accused him of being in league with Satan. They felt threatened because they neither knew nor cared about who Jesus was. By refusing Jesus they exposed their foolishness.

When Jesus was born, Satan’s power and control was weakened; his power over death taken away. Jesus’s resurrection defeated Satan’s weapon, death. Satan’s job is to mislead you into thinking he has something better for you. Don’t follow him.

Ask Christ to guide you because you love him and want to spend eternity in his Father’s Kingdom.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew 12

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Matthew:

How Can Anyone Walk On Water?

Innocent Blood Redeems Us

Scripture: Acts 8: 9-13, 18

⁹ A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. ¹⁰ Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” ¹¹ They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. ¹² But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. ¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.

Scripture Commentary: Money can’t buy your place in heaven.

Do you know of anyone who believes money can buy anything? Money, position, power here on earth is meaningless. We have today, just as the people had over 2000 years ago, sorcerers and magicians influencing society. These people practice astrology. Their wonders are simply magic tricks, or their power may derive from Satan.

Don’t be misled. Know your Bible.

Read Matthew 24:24 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Simon had some people believing he was the Messiah. Do not be misled. It’s important to know your Bible. Jesus encountered and drove out many demons during his earthly ministry. Some scholars believe these demons are fallen angels who joined Satan to wage war here on earth against God’s followers. Their job is to tempt us to sin. They are real, active and powerful and they focus on the lost, weak, and those who have not accepted Christ as the Messiah.

Although powerful, they cannot mislead God’s people. Jesus has authority over them. He protects and guides his believers.

Satan and his followers are bound for the lake of fire for eternity. Are your toes in the heavenly kingdom of God or are they on fire?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Acts 8

Matthew 24

2 Thessalonians 2

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Acts:

Saul, why do you persecute me?

Call On the Name of the Lord to Be Saved

Scripture: John 5: 19 – 20

¹⁹ So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. 

Scripture Commentary:

I think back on my youth and my memories of my father and grandfather. I realize that they showed and taught me alot. Just by watching them do something, I learned how to do it. I did what my father did.

God shows us that the way to Him is through Jesus.

Jesus tells us that he is who he is because his father loved him enough to show him the way to go and how to get there. We are not God but we are His children and He shows and tells us how to get to Him. In turn, we are to tell, teach and show our children how to follow Christ by living as Christ-like as possible. Our children learn by what they see and hear.

Know God’s ways.

God gives us the choice to be good or evil. There is no middle ground. We aren’t perfect but we know right from wrong. Raise your children to know God’s ways. Don’t be like the Pharisees and reject Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John 5

Read Other Commentary From the Book of John:

Jesus, the Light of the World

Learn the Truth of Jesus

Scripture: Luke 12: 16-19

¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. ¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

Scripture Commentary:

Take it easy! Eat, drink and be merry! Because here today, gone tomorrow. We’ve all heard this saying but do we understand its meaning?

Did you hear that Jim or Betty died last night or that John was hit by a car today? These are some of the things that happen in everyday life. We have no control.

In Luke 12, Jesus spoke a parable about a rich man. He could easily have been a poor man, or a young man or old man. The point is that we are in God’s hands and on God’s time.

What’s important is what we are doing with the time God has given us.

Our earthly goods will stay here after we are gone. We can’t take things with us where we are going. Jesus challenges us to think beyond earthbound goals and use what we have been given for the Kingdom of God.

Have faith in Christ and follow Him. That is the only reward to seek. Do the work of Jesus Christ and the fruit of your labor is what will be stored up in heaven. Faith, service and obedience to God, the Father, is how we become rich in God’s eyes.

What will your harvest be: God’s or self? It’s your choice.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Luke 12

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Luke:

When He Saw Their Faith, He Answered Their Prayer

Jesus Is More Than Enough

Scripture: Acts 7: 54-56

 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.^[m] 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ⁵⁶ And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Scripture Commentary:

Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. We often read about Jesus talking and praying to God. However, we do not see them together in the same place.

Stephen is giving up his life for Jesus and His Father. They are witnessing the event unfold and are preparing to accept Stephen into God’s kingdom. Jesus gave his life for us and now he sees Stephen doing the same for him.

The Jewish leaders denied Jesus and now, in anger, they condemned Stephen to death by stoning. Saul, who was part of the Jewish leadership, persecuted Christ’s followers and stood as a witness against Stephen.

Stephen’s death impacted Saul who later went on the road to Damascus where Jesus asked him in Acts 9, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” The event between Saul and Jesus reveals how God can take anyone and use them for his mission.

Are you on the road to Damascus? Let Jesus into your life and see how he works in you.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Acts 7

Acts 9

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Acts:

Money Can’t Buy What Is Eternal

Saul, why do you persecute me?

Scripture: Acts 5: 1-4

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. ² He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. ⁴ The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

Scripture Commentary:

Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to God and the apostles. Do you or have you lied to God? No one wants to admit it, but be honest we all have at times in our lives.

There are many ways we hold back from God.

When we say we will never do something again or when we hold back some of the offerings we intended to put in the church plate, we are being dishonest. And like Ananias and Sapphira, we put on a show to appear that we are giving more than we actually are. We want the appearance of doing something great.

God sees all and knows all.

We cannot hide from God. When it comes to giving, do what you really can. God is not asking for all even though all you have comes from Him. God gave us His most precious gift, His Son Jesus Christ. So how can you hold anything back?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Acts 5

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Acts:

You Can’t Earn Grace

You Can’t Afford the Gift of God

Scripture: Acts 10: 13-16

¹³ Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” ¹⁴ “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.^[b]” ¹⁵ But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” ¹⁶ The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven.

Scripture Commentary:

God gave Peter a vision that three men were looking for him, and he was told to go with them when they came. Peter received the vision three times. So when they came Peter said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”

The men represented Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Cornelius wanted Peter to come to his home. During that time Jews and Gentiles had nothing to do with each other. Before having the vision Peter would have thought that a Gentile Roman official would not accept Jesus Christ. However, God prepared Peter for his mission to spread the gospel to the Gentiles.

The number three keeps coming up for Peter. What’s your number? How many times does it take before you do what God has for you? Do you even hear God talking to you and if yes, how do you respond?

Although Peter had problems he kept being God’s servant. Read Galatians 2: 11-15. God has an assignment for you.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Acts 10

Galatians 2

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Acts:

Do What Is Right – Tell Others About God!

Can You Hear God’s Voice? He Talks to You.

Scripture: John 4: 48 – 50

⁴⁸ Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” ⁴⁹ The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” ⁵⁰ Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

Scripture Commentary: Why do you need to see miracles to believe?

A father asks Jesus to save his son from death. Jesus asks if you need to see miracles to believe. Are you someone who needs to see the miracles in order to believe? If so, why?

Jesus died on the cross, rose on the third day, and now is with God, the Father. He sent the Holy Spirit to watch over and guide us in the way to go. We can’t see the Holy Spirit but do you believe? If you don’t believe in the Holy Spirit how can you believe in God and be a follower of Jesus Christ? They are one and the same.

The religious leaders of Jesus’s time had God’s Word but they failed to understand it. Similarly to the past we have false preachers spreading their own message, not God’s. Who are you listening to and who are you following?

Don’t get right and wrong mixed up.

There is only one God and one Satan. Don’t get them mixed up. God is love and forgiveness; Satan is self and destruction. The world’s camouflage presents a very distored picture filled with lies.

Jesus is the only way to salvation. Amen.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John 4

Read Other Commentary From the Book of John:

The World Will Persecute You For Jesus

Remember that Jesus Loves You

Scripture: Luke 15: 4, 8, 24

⁴ “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins^[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Scripture Commentary:

Three parables. Lost sheep, lost coins, lost son. Jesus tells us that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one who is missing. Why worry about one when you have so many others? Because each one is special and has something to offer.

Why is the one important?

The woman who misplaced a coin goes in search of it. What if a pair of shoes cost $11 and she only had $10 because she lost the $1. That $1 becomes important because without it, she cannot purchase the shoes she needs.

The man’s son is gone. He doesn’t know if the son is dead or alive. He has another son who is with him but he loves both sons.

God extends His hand to protect you.

God created us; we are His children. As a loving parent He looks out for and tries to protect each one of us, even when we act foolishly. Think back over your life. Do you recognize God’s hand of protection. His love is extraordinary. Don’t despair if you feel far from God. He will find you because He searches for the lost.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Luke 15

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Luke:

Do You See Yourself Clearly?

And When He Saw Their Faith