Most of what we look for from our members of congregations or ministry teams in terms of contribution either falls into the category of money or time. Otherwise, we are usually looking only for compliance. We inform people, especially younger ones, of the rules and protocol and expect them to comply. We engineer structures and teams to maintain “normal” for […]
The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, according to the last verse of chapter 12, is a “way” to be part of the team of people who are the servants in the body of Jesus. Chapters 12 and 14 are descriptions of some of the “what” that the ekklesia does, and chapter 13 is a description of “how” it stays in […]
Matthew 26:6-13 When Jesus was drawing near His sacrifice, He was anointed by a woman with an expensive perfumed ointment. His disciples complained that the value of the ointment was wasted on Jesus and should have been used to give some provision to the local poor. Jesus’ answer included the information that poor people would always be around. Until the […]
Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the desert when He was baptized. In 40 days, a work was done in Him of preparation for His purpose. Israel was driven by the Holy Spirit into the desert when they were baptized (1 Corinthians 10). In 40 years, two of the several million original citizens and all of the next […]
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day […]
The place called “Sheol” in Hebrew is the same place that Greek writers would call “Hades.” In English, it means “the Grave.” From one end of the Bible to the other, it is described as a place where all dead humans go to sleep until a day of judgement that is described in Revelation 20, starting at verse 11. All […]
When a ministry achieves what it defines as “success,” it arbitrarily builds a system around that success that promises to continue to feed and protect it. Find food, and fight off wolves. Repeat. If the ministry continues to exist, over time the purpose of the system of sustenance and safety becomes a hard old wine skin. It may not spend […]
I expect there have been many times when you said something to someone and very soon were convinced that they did not really hear what you said, even though they gave the clear impression that they were listening. Faith comes by hearing. Hearing comes by the word of the Lord. The successful saints listed in Hebrews 11 received God’s promises […]
In Isaiah 14:12, Lucifer was accused of weakening the nations. The United States of America has, by Abraham Lincoln’s description, a government of, by, and for “the people.” (Gettysburg Address, 1863) A nation that is its own authority is one of the kingdoms of this world. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24 and 25 several things about nations. One was that […]
Two very good books by Gary Goodell, who works with Graham Cooke: Permission Granted – To Do Church Differently In The 21st Century Where Would Jesus Lead – A Study In Chaordic Leadership From the second book: “Your destiny is hidden in your daily routines.” From me: Be awesome today so you can be even more awesome next year.