Some things were the same. Some things were different. God stepped into both situations and met the need.

Sometimes it takes a worship leader to win a war. Probably more often than we think. So when facing your next battle or challenge, you might need to listen to some worship music to get your heart and mind in the correct posture to hear God.

If we are honest about our preferences and biases, we would likely admit we don’t really agree with Jesus’ teachings in this sermon. We might argue that they are unrealistic, idealistic, and out of touch.

It may be the most overlooked—and most valuable—directive our culture could heed today.

Their help, my help, everyone’s best help ultimately comes from the same Source.

We may remember waiting for messages and for replies to the messages we sent. Now the messages can come sooner. Who needs the message we can send?

They are not your worst or biggest enemy. Whatever your political party, social cause, or personal opponent, you might think you know the enemy’s name, but you may be battling against the wrong foe.

We might all wish someone would refer to us the way Paul described Timothy. We might all like to be a friend and partner like the ones that made Paul’s ministry possible.

Just like that, Jesus changed everything for two seekers who desperately need his healing. Dare we hope for our own just-like-that-moments, too?

What if we looked at our trials and troubles in a new way? What if we saw how God could use them to help us spread his good news?

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

We have all seen moments with chances best described as “slim to none.” Many of these result in the predicted outcome. In Scripture we see many situations where, from a human perspective, we would agree that the main characters were facing slim-to-none possibilities for survival or success.

As we walk with Jesus there will be many days of wonder. Our sense of wonder at this marvelous Savior will also bring conviction. And our conviction must lead to love for all people.

I have a friend who told his workers to devote regular time just to thinking. The psalmist understood the genius in this advice when he advocated simply pondering the depths of God’s Word.

Everybody knows walking is good for you, but Paul goes way beyond the medical experts to explain how to have a healthy spiritual walk.

“Forgive us for the idols we create when fighting for our causes instead of embracing the unity possible through Christ. Thank you for making it possible for us to know peace, to live peace, and to offer your peace to others through Jesus.”

Two aged saints saw God fulfill his promise to them and his plan for all humankind, when the infant Jesus was presented in the temple,

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Just as guardrails along mountain roads help guarantee a fulfilling journey, God’s guardrails equip us for the best way to move forward.

Luke spent hours and hours, likely over months or even years, to help Theophilus have an accurate understanding of Jesus. What if we all invested that kind of time and energy in helping just one person have a deep and abiding knowledge of Jesus?