Michael J. Fox is quoted as saying, “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” Mr. Fox is not alone, this is a common refrain among many.
Family is important. Some disregard, ignore, or abuse their family. Many give themselves over to their work, their hobbies, or their friends at the expense of their children or spouse. Many of the most successful people have chosen business over family. Continue reading “Family is everything, unless Jesus is”
The disciples of Jesus were a study in contrasts.
In Luke 10, 70 of them went to tell others the kingdom of heaven was at hand. They returned with great joy, informing the Master that even the demons were subject to them (Luke 10:17).
Fast forward to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, and another picture emerges. Continue reading “Standing with Jesus”
What is your name? Is it meaningful? Perhaps you are named after a family member or a beloved friend. Perhaps your name comes from the Bible (as is the case with my three sons, Jeremiah, Micah, and Noah). Regardless of the origins of your name, it has meaning because it is the name your parents chose for you.
In scripture there are several terms or phrases to describe those who submit to Jesus Christ. Continue reading “Glorify God in that name”
Are you ordinary? In some ways we are all ordinary, aren’t we? We don’t wield super-human strength, or the ability to see through walls. We are not faster than a speeding bullet, nor are we stronger than a locomotive. And we can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound. We are not world-famous artisans. Nor are we wise beyond all measure. And that is all quite fine. God can still use us to do great things.
Since the beginning, God has used the ordinary to accomplish extraordinary things. He created all things by a word (Genesis 1:1-3). With God, a word is powerful enough to bring entire galaxies into existence out of nothing. The Bible’s description of the creation of light is very simple, “And God said.” Does that not thrill you to know that our God only has to say the word to change the universe?
The number three is interesting in scripture.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three persons, but one in purpose. Peter denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26:72ff). The Lord asked Peter if he loved him three times (John 21:15ff). The Lord foretold he would stay in the grave three days (Matthew 12:40). There are others.
There is another series of three in the book of Mark. It was a series of three things that happened in three chapters and it followed a pattern. Continue reading “The Servant of all”
“As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And a great storm developed on the sea so that the waves began to swamp the boat. But he was asleep. So they came and woke him up saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are about to die!’ But he said to them, ‘Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was dead calm. And the men were amazed and said, ‘What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!'” (Matthew 8:23-27 NET)
Jesus lived a very busy life. The snippets we get in the gospels tell us that he frequently spent all day in teaching and sometimes all night in prayer. As he taught and healed more, his popularity spread. As his popularity spread, the people would not let him alone. Continue reading “Why are you afraid?”
Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!” As he went along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in their boat mending nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:14-20 NET)
Have you ever wondered why men would give up everything to follow someone or to do something else with their lives? Have you ever wondered why Peter, Andrew, James and John just left their fishing business to follow after Jesus, a man they didn’t even know? Continue reading “Counting the Cost”
God gives us love, direction and guidance. Continue reading The neglected part of the Great Commission