What would you do if someone slapped you in the face? Would you turn the other cheek? Would you open yourself up for another attack? What about self-defense? What if your family is in danger? How on earth can we take Jesus seriously in our reading today when he tells us to “turn the otherContinueContinue reading “Devotion #12”
Author Archives: pastoraaronkalbas
Devotion #11
No excuses. No wiggling around it. No justifying our outbursts or mistakes. No relaxing the rules. Sin is sin and sin’s no joke. That’s the gist of what Jesus is preaching on the mountain. He begins by saying, “If you want to enter the kingdom of heaven, your righteousness must exceed even that ofContinueContinue reading “Devotion #11”
Devotion #10
Loving Jesus isn’t such a hard thing to do. Granted, we are sinful by nature so our love is nothing great, but even so Jesus is pretty easy to love. Loving Jesus is something I can do at anytime and anywhere, no matter how I’m feeling or how busy I am. I never have aContinueContinue reading “Devotion #10”
Devotion #9
The beatitudes are a slap in the face for anyone who tries to take them seriously. How can any of the things that Jesus mentions be “blessings?” Normally, when I think of blessings I think of good things. I feel “blessed” when I look at my life and see that I have a family, aContinueContinue reading “Devotion #9”
Devotion #8
Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” In the ancient world, fishing was a lucrative profession, it brought in an above-average income. I’m sure Peter, Andrew, James and John had lots of money tied up in boats, nets and gear. I’m sure they had all their eggs in this basket. Catching fish isContinueContinue reading “Devotion #8”
PODCASTS AVAILABLE
Hey followers, this is just a friendly notice that if you’d like to get content from this blog via podcate, Pastor Aaron’s posts are now available on Spotify. You can search for “Aaron Kalbas” or just click on the link below. Soon every episode of the devotional series on Matthew will be available via podcast.ContinueContinue reading “PODCASTS AVAILABLE”
Devotion #7
On November 16, 1532, in what would later become the country of Peru, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and 168 Spanish soldiers defeated eight thousand armed Inca Indians and captured the Incan Emperor Atahualpa. In one day, the entire empire empire was brought down. Let that sink in… Just One battle… and 168 Spanish soldiers defeatedContinueContinue reading “Devotion #7”
Devotion #6
Maybe it was the late hour of the night when I was reading and writing, but Matthew’s description of Jesus’ baptism made me think of a YouTube video I watched years ago. It was a clip from a TV show called “Britain’s Got Talent.” (I’ve included a video link at the bottom of this post.)ContinueContinue reading “Devotion #6”
Devotion #5
John was a strange guy. He ate locusts and wild honey, dressed in camel’s hair, and lived out in the wilderness. He stuck out like sore thumb, uncomfortable and strange. John was a constant reminder to sinners that something’s gotta change. But John seems strange for other reasons, also. His preaching is strange. He says,ContinueContinue reading “Devotion #5”
Devotion #4
As I sit down to read and write this morning, I see this headline in the news: “Teen mom tosses newborn baby in the dumpster.” My heart cries for that little one tossed away like garbage. What is the thought process that would lead any person to bag up a little boy, throw him inContinueContinue reading “Devotion #4”
O Lord, open my lips... 