One of the hardest things to do when we pray is to get our focus off the need and onto God. Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well in Samaria helps us understand how important that refocusing is. Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who […]
Every now and then, something happens in life that seems to destroy any chance of the outcome we had been praying for and expecting. Along with the pain and grief comes dashed hope. It taunts our minds, making it hard to trust even ourselves again. “Why should I allow the birth of any new hope […]
Although we will never experience the full suffering of Jesus, we sometimes find ourselves in situations that are similar in type. Jesus knew trouble was coming: Betrayal, abandonment by friends, false accusations, a mock trial without due process, unjust condemnation, mockery, torture, and cruel death. We have so many things to shout when someone cuts […]
I use glasses to read because I am long-sighted. I also have an astigmatism in one eye, which means that the image in my eye is distorted horizontally more than it is vertically. To correct that imbalance, one corrective lens is slightly thicker on one plane than it is on the other. I started using […]
Sometimes we learn a lot when we think about the flip side of what Jesus said. Take the following conversation: The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents […]
I have never cared much about what I wear. As long as I am comfortable, I am happy. Try to put me in a suit and tie and I will grumble. I buy very few new clothes; often I find great deals in thrift stores and that is enough. However, what our spiritual clothes are […]
Experienced athletes prepare themselves for an event by various warm-ups including stretch exercises. Stretching helps avoid injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also prepares the body to go to the next level of performance. A series of interactions in Luke 7:17-35 seem to have a similar spiritual function—preparing for the kingdom of God. […]
The newspaper article said that the two mountain bikers had done everything right. That was not true. When a mountain lion attacks, one should never run. When the two men noticed the cougar stalking them, they made lots of noise. Correct. When it rushed them, one of them drove it off by ramming it with […]
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20) Embassies, ambassadors, and their staff need the permission of their host country to work there. Any diplomatic mission depends on the understanding of mutual benefits. Every individual and every human […]
“God is a gentleman.” I was taught that years ago, and it is so true. In this life, God never forces anyone to bow and worship Him. He put pressure on Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and others to serve His purposes, but if they ever worshiped, it was their choice. We are all monarchs of our own […]