March 2025 How can I be happy when I’m crying? “Blessed are those who mourn.” Matthew 5:4 Be happy while you’re crying? I don’t think so. Most tears come because of sorrow. People usually cry because something important to them has gone horribly wrong. But Jesus says that Christians are…

February 2025 How can I be happy when I’m poor? “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Matthew 5:3 The hand is out. The face is pleading. In this case, the need is real. When one has run out of options and is desperate for help, begging seems the only choice….

January 2025 How can I be happy when the future is so uncertain? “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 Every generation talks about the “good ole days.” As we embark on a new year, many people would be more than happy…

The Perfect Pearl Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45,46). Have you found the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone yet? If…

Real Wealth Jesus told this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop . . . he said, . . . ‘I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to…

Search For What Was Lost Jesus told this parable, “Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with…

Facing Final Judgment Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep…

Keep Alert! Watch! Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch….

Lessons From a Fig Tree Jesus told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is…

Build on Solid Rock Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did…