When I hear people considering the dire state of the church the answer is often a technique of ministry or to humble ourselves and repent. The underlying thrust is to take initiative – “This is my problem how do I solve it?” Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel … Show us your mighty power. Come … Continue reading Whose answer?
If I know what a passage is saying, why does the Lord encourage me to open my ears? O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, Psalm78 v 1 This is not merely a posture like a pupil in class. It is listening to God. I can read … Continue reading Hidden Meaning
I can be overwhelmed by a sense of injustice, but the Lord will keep me if I let him. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Psalm 73v21-22 When I become … Continue reading Facing Anger with God
God’s gift of life and grace can overflow from us and enlighten others going out even to the nations. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us- so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67v1-2 I can be so … Continue reading Overflowing Grace
What’s fair? I want life to deal me a set of cards within the expected range of probability. When life fails, I call it unfair. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Philippians 2v14-15 When I grumble … Continue reading Fair?
I can be so over confident and Jesus, knowing how things will go, so gracious. Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me.” Matthew 26v31 Jesus knowing their limitations prepares them. Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Matthew 26v33 Like Peter I cannot imagine how challenging … Continue reading Grace in failure
When Jesus was born the Word of God became a human being. How do I respond to this living person? Jesus likened the word of God and so himself to seed that was sown. Would it be received by the soil as I might receive a visitor? Some people are like seed along the path, … Continue reading Who’s at the door?
I can be so caught up with my desires or the ideal I am hunting for that I ignore what Jesus is trying to tell me. “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of … Continue reading Way of humility
When I am looking for signs is it because I don’t know which is God’s way and am willing to go anywhere he reveals, or is it because I am struggling to overcome unbelief or is it because I don’t want to believe and I put up obstacles to justify my unbelief? the Pharisees and … Continue reading Motives for a sign
There are times God seems to put me on the spot. God can do anything but am I hearing him right? Is this the Lord or my wild imagination? Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, … I don’t want … Continue reading Disciples on the spot
adaringfaith 