Failure in the Garden: Were these really the right ones for the job?
They couldn’t stay awake even one hour to pray with Jesus while he was in agony. Were these really the right guys to lead his mission in the future?
Taxes, pride, and surrender: challenges since the time of Jesus
These three words have stirred emotions since the time of Jesus, which is exactly why we still need to think about them today.
When we wait and watch, God’s need-quenching blessings spring forth
We can sing praises of expectancy, even if we don’t understand how the blessing will come.
When we consider our God, we dare not be stymied by the impossible
Some have achieved what we might have thought impossible. But their impossible is nothing like the impossible things God has done!
How this story shows the high price that comes with divisive behavior
There is a high price for divisive behavior. And, as this story shows, it might be a higher price than one would ever choose to pay.
Trying to trap Jesus and deciding his answers are always best
The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus, and sometimes we do too—for sadly similar reasons.
Unexpected turns, unwarranted fear, lessons in faith and prayer
The story of Moses and his people investigating the Promised Land is rich in implications for the faith of believers today.
Lessons from Moses: seeking our ‘70’ and yielding to God’s Spirit
If we have ever led anything or anyone, we can relate to the complaints Moses heard. Can we relate to the actions he took?
Listen up, list makers! Why not try pursuing a different approach?
Some like lists, and others avoid them. Those in both groups can benefit from the Scripture’s simple approach to pleasing God.
Better than a traffic light: how we know to go forward with God
God’s presence with the Israelites told them whether to stop or go. We have his presence, too, and it is even more wonderful than what they experienced.
What will it take for any of us to throw a mountain into the ocean?
Before we consider this story and give up on our own faith, we need to read more carefully and think more clearly.
Who wants to be the greatest? Maybe the answer is, ‘most of us’
Would we be embarrassed for others to know this is the question we’re most asking about ourselves?
What happens when we trust God with our mouths firmly closed
There is wisdom in knowing when to speak up and when to keep silent. Maybe the secret is in learning to listen to God.
So many were blind, and despite our song, we sometimes are, too
Jesus healed two blind men, but they weren’t the only ones who couldn’t see clearly.
How this ‘new commandment’ addresses a problem as old as time
Jesus said his followers are to be known for their love. But the struggle against hatred is real.
We understand, because we’ve suffered through storms ourselves
Two storms, the same reaction. And we can identify with the fear the disciples felt.
Even when we’re misunderstood and mistreated, God is with us
Since Jesus has handled our biggest problem of all, shouldn’t we trust his Father with the rest of them?
‘Keep the main thing the main thing’ is our main thing, too!
The Gospel of Mark opens by telling us the main thing: “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”
God sees and he understands. This means we know we can trust him
As disciples of Jesus, we believe God sees from the macro level of his universe to the micro level of our hearts. He not only sees it all, he understands it all and can guide us in dealing with it all.
Ancient sacrifice, the death of Jesus, and the awfulness of sin
Nowhere are the ugly consequences of sin made clearer than in the book of Leviticus. They make us even more grateful for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.