The Beatitudes sketch out a way of life for us. They urge us to be poor in spirit, meek and humble, and hungry for God’s justice. They call us to be merciful toward others, pure of heart in all we do, and willing to suffer persecution for the sake of the gospel (Matthew 5:3-12). Continue »

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand." (Mark 1:15) So Jesus began his public ministry. And using the gift of hindsight, we can see how dramatic and revolutionary this proclamation was. Continue »

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3). What an amazing promise Jesus made! Everyone who is poor in spirit will go to heaven. Continue »

Eight-year-old Martin de Porres was not what most people today would call a “normal” child. Living in Lima, Peru, in 1587, the boy was already in training to be a barber, which in his world also meant learning to be a surgeon, pharmacist, and physician. Continue »

If you’ve ever spent any time in a desert, you know how unmerciful it can feel, with no water, no shade, no respite from the scorching heat. A spiritual desert can be like that, too—a testing place where God’s refreshing presence seems as elusive as a mirage. And yet, those forbidding deserts contain surprising seeds of life. Continue »

When Jesus came on the scene in Galilee, he announced the coming of God’s kingdom and called people to repent and believe the good news. Continue »

Francis MacNutt has been a leader in the Christian healing ministry for over forty years. And everything he has seen and learned reinforces his belief that when Jesus said to “cure the sick” (Matthew 10:8), he was addressing all of his followers down through the centuries. Continue »