Why do we so often wait until we’ve run out of self before we take our needs to the Lord? The idea of self-sufficiency is a powerful drive in our lives and I think the enemy of our souls is just fine with that. We turn to so-called “experts and authorities,” read self-help books, worry… Read More
Do you have a friend, mentor, or family member whom although they have been gone for years, your heart still overflows with love every single time you think about them? I am so excited to be starting my favorite book of the Bible today. John wrote his Gospel message 50+ years after Jesus ascended into… Read More
I love that women were the first to hear the Life-Changing Message of Good News… “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men… Read More
It takes great courage to do the right thing when everyone else is going in a different direction. Take a look at our current culture . . . where people are losing friends, positions, and platforms simply for saying something with which the crowd disagrees and/or disapproves. In that context, Joseph of Arimathea gives us… Read More
You’ve most likely heard the expression, “keep your eye on the ball.” Anyone who has ever played a sport, especially softball or baseball, has been told this advice is important for success. It’s also a saying used when studying or trying to succeed in a profession. Focus and keep the main thing – the main… Read More
The world can be a a terrifying place . . . hurricanes, earthquakes, wars, violence, plagues, civil unrest, and persecution. We really shouldn’t be surprised. When asked about the “end of the age,” Jesus replied… Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines… Read More
Jesus would have welcomed the Pharisee’s questions if they had truly wanted to learn from Him. But they tossed questions His way trying to trap Him into saying something that would either 1. get Him in trouble with those who followed Him, or 2. get Him in trouble with the Roman government. The funny thing… Read More
He was “vertically challenged.” So short in stature that he couldn’t see Jesus over the crowd. He was also hated. As a tax collector he could collect as muct as possible from people and keep the surplus for himself. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come… Read More
When you feel rejected and unworthy . . . run to Jesus! In a first Century culture, men were valued, women less so, and children were to be seen and not heard. One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this,… Read More
Have you ever prayed in desperation… Jesus, if you __________ then I will __________? Leprosy was a highly contagious disease of the skin that terrified people. For that reason, people who had it were completely isolated from their families and communities. They were even called “unclean.” After the past year, it’s easy for us to… Read More
Have you ever had someone say something that annoyed you at the time but later you realized that God used that one comment to plant a seed and change your perspective? This one occurred when Rev was a Seminary student assigned to do hands on instruction at the church where I was teaching 3rd grade.… Read More
Jesus went out of His way to show people that He loved them. And because as He said… The Father and I are one. John 10:30 Jesus made the point that He was showing them God’s love for them. A love that is proclaimed in the stories Jesus shared in Luke 15. The Lost Sheep… Read More
I recently circled these words of David from Psalm 142: Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Psalm 142:5 The rest of that section of his Psalm says things like . . . “I cry out, I plead, I pour out my… Read More
After decades in ministry, I have to admit that it’s often hard to understand why God allows people to suffer. And I think most of us would admit that it’s especially hard when the sufferer is someone who is kind, loving, caring . . . good. Or when that person is an innocent child. Somehow… Read More
In a world full of opinions all claiming to be the “truth,” we need for life, having someone who has told us the real, the best, the absolute truth for life . . . well, that is information we should apply. The crowds of people gathering to hear Jesus had grown into the thousands and… Read More