God does keep His promises, even when we fail to recognize it. He said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). Jesus fulfilled these precious promises from God. In Him, God has proven His faithfulness to Israel and to all the world.

Consider the fact that Noah preached for more than 100 years while building the ark, but no one besides his family was converted. What does this say about what we often view as successful ministry versus faithfulness to God?

So Noah built this ark and looks like his act of faith didn’t draw crowds. But we can’t determine Noah’s success based on our culture’s definition of success. Humans are poor judges of success and failure because use the wrong measuring sticks. For us success equals the rich, the powerful, the influential, and the attractive. But these successes don’t hold the same weight in God’s kingdom.

Have you ever faced a predicament and wondered how God was going to resolve it? Or even if He was going to resolve it? It can be so easy to want to know what God is up to when we can’t trace His hand.

In 2 Kings 6:24–7:20, the city of Samaria, Israel’s political capital, is under siege, and food supplies have run so short that things that are unthinkable to us were sold as food at a premium price. Things became so bad that the people inside the city even began to eat their own children.

Elisha announced that the Lord would deliver them overnight and that by the next day, they would find themselves with an abundance of food. However, even with this good news, the king’s officer doubted that such a thing could happen. He was a skeptic and scoffer, and could not wrap his mind around the possibility that God was able to something so big in such a short span of time.

God is about to open up the windows of heaven and pour out His blessings on them and He is going to do it in a very unusual way thru very surprising people.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

In our social media driven world, it’s hard to imagine how this verse fits into our culture today…and why anyone would even want to live a quiet life. The Bible has a lot to say about quiet living. But many people are attracted to flashier subjects like: how to get more followers, how to get your message heard, how to stand out or “How God will make your wildest dreams come true.”

This verse is an oxymoron.

What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?" Luke 10:26

It’s the same question Jesus is asking you today. How are you to interpret the Bible, and to do so correctly? It isn't as complex as some think. In fact, much of it boils down to common sense and a basic understanding that the Bible is a written document whose forms of expression is similar to other works of literature.

And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Jesus likely asked this question in Mark 8:17 out of frustration. In verse 12, the Pharisees argued with him asking for a sign. They were arguing WITH the sign. And He sighed deeply in His spirit. This is a glimpse into Jesus' heart. He came for them to understand. But they didn't. Instead, they seek for a sign when they had such abundant evidence already.

In Matthew 8:26, Jesus asked His followers why they were so afraid their boat would overturn on account of some wind and waves, especially since He was right there in the boat with them. Certainly, if the Son of God was in their midst, they would safely get to the other side of the lake. If they had really understood who He was, they would have understood that no boat that carried Him would be allowed to sink.

Maybe you’ve never considered that you’ve become comfortable in our afflictions (whatever form they take in our life). How many “illnesses” have you accepted as the norm because that’s just he way it’s been. Have you accepted the sickness of unforgivness because you were wronged? Then you need to pick up your mat. Have you accepted the illnesses of slave to your temptations? Maybe you need to pick up your mat.

I'm starting a series on the questions of Jesus. The first one we will be looking at is from Matthew 9:28: "When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”