In families, especially at times when family members worked in family businesses or on farms, as the older children grew, they received increased responsibilities. The new duties were not just related to the business, but to the younger children. They taught them the way to live and work. Many congregations are so relationship resistant that they are more like orphanages […]
“The priesthood of all believers” is a phrase that has been used to allow all believers to pray. It is a contradiction to the idea that everyone needs to employ the Heavenly access that only a person has who has been elevated to the earthly status of “priest,” or their prayers will not be heard by God. This implies that everyone but the priests are […]
When lawyers took over the religious aspects of the nation of Israel, the two major parties were the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They argued about orthodoxy (“right opinion”), and made laws about what could be believed. Since they disagreed about what should be believed, the strongest party always shifted the “truth” toward their opinion. In Germany, under the leadership of […]
Somewhere between the boldness that is based on our relationship with Jesus and the humility that is based on what that relationship cost Him, we will find all of the grace – the power to live, the power of provision and protection – that we need to successfully be His people in the earth. Therefore since we have a great high […]
Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied […]
I have been directly involved in the process of creating budgets for both ministries of congregations and for entire congregations. The process helps leaders plan for doing work in the future by, as Jesus advised, being sure that if they want to build a tower that they have sufficient resources to finish it. How much more important it is to […]
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-16 that it is when each part of the body is doing its part that the body grows and builds itself up in love. I have seen many people become annoyed at having to serve the rest of the body and unbelievers with the work that their gifts produce. Examples are a teacher, because of the […]
Moving on from there, He entered their synagogue. There He saw a man who had a paralyzed hand. And in order to accuse Him they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” But He said to them, “What man among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold […]
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows […]
One of the works empowered by the spiritual gift of prophet (New Testament style) is the interpretation of current events based on something the Spirit is speaking to the prophet, either through some Scripture, or some not yet written word that He is speaking to the prophet. Frequently, when a person is sharing with another person something that they believe […]