I grew up at a church called Our Shepherd. I even attended a school that was affiliated with the church. So, both pastors and teachers taught us often about the loving care of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We were taught that sheep are generally docile and that they would definitely not be on the list…
The first verse of Amazing Grace is: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound;that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found,was blind but now I see. Many of us know the feeling of going from being lost to being found but what must it be like to go from blindness…
It’s hard not to judge others, isn’t it? When I did an online search of the psychology of judging others . . . the general consensus was that judging others is a good thing because it helps us evaluate right and wrong behavior. The problem is we confuse judging behavior for our own benefit with…
I sometimes wonder how often we trust the teachings of liars. We know that mixed messages are everywhere even in the church. How in the world are we supposed to know the truth? Jesus gave those who were willing to listen, 3 simple things to look for to determine if a religious leader is teaching…
I love reading about the miracle feeding of the 5000. In reality, the total was probably closer to twice that many when you add the women and children. Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”…
One of the most profound statements Jesus made during His earthly ministry is found in John 5: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 You and I can read the Bible from cover to cover day in and day out and we…
A couple of year’s ago, I asked a group of friends, “how do you see Jesus when you pray?” You can check out their responses here. I also answered the question myself… I imagine Jesus waiting for me at the well. Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well. John 4:6 He…
Nicodemus came under a cover of darkness. He wanted to know more about Jesus. His Pharisaical peers were quickly making up their minds and rejecting the Rabbi but Nicodemus wanted to examine the Man and His teaching personally. Jesus used the opportunity to teach Nicodemus several truths that have been foundational to our faith ever…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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….
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…
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…
