We are all involved in the work of influence. Some of us make our living by selling things. Some of us are even selling information. Others influence people by sharing information. That includes good and evil – good news and gossip. Whether we are trying to change someone’s mind or simply inform them so that they can decide for themselves, […]
James advised some people in his letter not to presume what their tomorrows would bring to them (James 4:13-15). If we don’t base our decisions about what we do in our todays on what we hope will be tomorrow’s fruit from today’s labor, how can we make wise choices about what we do? I find that a very different way […]
So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because […]
Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw it, they were […]
When Jesus influenced the woman at the Samaritan well, she went to town and influenced her neighbors. Her influence was only information, though. In order to convert people to the Family of God and to the Kingdom of God, we need to be involved in what the Samaritans experienced after they heard the woman’s testimony: Now many Samaritans from that […]
Why did the unclean spirit in the fortune teller Luke mentioned in Acts 16:16-24 keep making so much noise that seemed to endorse the work being done by Paul and Silas? It is interesting to me also that when the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by satan that one of satan’s talks with Jesus (Luke […]
Knowing Jesus in the “fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:7-11) was a goal that Paul had in his heart at one point in his life. A lime has a much greater impact on the aroma in a room if you scrape its skin or cut it open. Being bruised by serving Jesus causes us to have the power to change […]
The laws that Yahweh gave Israel through Moses included many activities that had to happen outside of their camp. Anyone who became unclean had to spend time outside the camp. Activities that were unclean had to be conducted outside the camp, from disposing of trash and excrement to stoning someone to death. Being dismissed even temporarily to life outside of […]
Being tired is required for a car. If you are frequently tired, it may indicate that you are bored or mismatched with your ministry. A pastor who has been hired as the only minister in a congregation is likely to be tired for many reasons. Having to present 1 to 4 inspirational talks and/or Bible expositions each week would be […]
Suppose that in some way in your life, you are like the virgins Jesus mentioned in Matthew 25:1-13. Maybe in the future, if not now… What is the oil that you are storing? What are you preparing for? Some people are storing food for the apocalypse. Some people are storing money for retirement. Some are just collecting punches on their […]