... , “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then Peter begins to call down curses, and he swears to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:69-75). Yes, it’s all right to shed tears over your sins. Now the world does not know of such tears. We live in a time when you don’t cry over your sins, you ...
... and this is true and He grants me eternity, who should I fear?’ So if they came then to kill me, I was ready to say, ‘Welcome.’” Ibrahim was baptized in 2002 and shared his faith with his wife and extended family. The family disowned him, and Ibrahim’s wife, Fatima, demanded a divorce. But she retracted her demands when she saw how Ibrahim’s behavior towards her became more respectful. Ibrahim established a church in Yemen and led many others to become followers of Jesus. But when the local ...
... changes that entire dynamic. Just as he called the children to him, now he calls Bartimaeus to him as well. Bartimaeus –outcast and useless burden. Bartimaeus, blind beggar. Bartimaeus, who has brought shame and embarrassment to his family. Bartimaeus, who has been disowned by everyone including his entire community. Bartimaeus –the one who dares to speak up and who will not be silenced, because he knows and understands the grace of God better than anyone there! Knows and trusts Jesus! Is willing to be ...