"But in those days, after that suffering..." - Jesus talking about the apocalypse

For now, you are the second coming of Christ. If this is the apocalypse, how much more important is it that you be loving, kind, and future-oriented? 

For: 
November 29, 2020
Mark 13:24-37
Advent 1
"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." - Jesus

A question on the final exam is: "Are you compassionate?" If you can answer with a resounding YES! Then you pass Jesus’ final exam.

For: 
November 22, 2020
Matthew 25:31-46
Christ the King Sunday
Pentecost 29
"I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs"- The Lord speaking through Zephaniah

There is a day coming when all who have ever lived on this planet will be called to judgement. The test question then we be, have we used the time and position that God has given us to do good and show compassion to our fellow man?

For: 
November 15, 2020
Judges 4:1-21
Matthew 25:14-30
Pentecost 24
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" - Jesus

Jesus is saying in his first message, "I am not blessing you for your accomplishments. You are already blessed for being on the path. Blessed are all those who hunger and thirst to become better people. Your heart will be filled with goodness."

For: 
November 8, 2020
Matthew 5:1-12
Pentecost 23
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted - Jesus

The world has its class system. Jesus says, “don’t bring it home.” We should root out all hierarchy in our personal life.

For: 
November 1, 2020
Matthew 23:1-12
Pentecost 22
The Lord said to Moses, "I have let you see the Promise Land with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there."

Many of us will have tasks where we do the work, but don't get to enjoy the victory.  Moses' story is like that. He did everything God asked him to do, but he didn't get to go into the Promised Land.

For: 
October 25, 2020
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Pentecost 21
Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's... - Jesus

How do we separate religion and politics? I think Jesus would tell us to do our duty in each sphere. On the religious side of the coin, we worship and study the scriptures so that we might know God’s will for our lives. On the political side of the coin, we vote, become involved in social concerns, etc.

For: 
October 18, 2020
Matthew 22:15-22
Pentecost 20
The people [of God] sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel. - Exodus 32:6

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I call, primary relationships. Our relationship with God is one. Other primary relationships include our parents, spouse, siblings, and those we enter into a covenantal relationship with. These are the cables that anchor our lives. 

For: 
October 11, 2020
Exodus 32:1-14
Pentecost 23
You shall have no other gods before me.

Before we go hanging Moses' Ten Commandments in our courthouses, we best understand them. God did not tell Moses to go back to Egypt and make the worshipers of Osiris and Nut to obey these new rules. It would be like asking the average American to learn the rules of cricket. The people of the Exodus were the target audience for these laws because they had been baptized into faith at the Red Sea.

For: 
October 4, 2020
Exodus 20:1-17
Pentecost 18

“Are you in debt so as to embarrass the ministry?” There is a reason for that question. Integrity is integrity. When we are in severe debt, the temptation to abandon our integrity becomes intense.

"By what authority are you doing these things," the religious leaders asked Jesus

When the coronavirus arrived, the authority of the medical experts, such as those working at the CDC and at the WHO, came into direct confrontation with the authority of the President of the United States. Who had higher status as an authority?

For: 
September 27, 2020
Matthew 21:23-32
Pentecost 17
Everyone complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness - Exodus 16:2

Most of us are detail-oriented. Yet, most soul growth is "big picture" in nature. We need a real awakening to switch lenses, to go from macro to wide-angle.

For: 
September 20, 2020
Exodus 16:2-15
Luke 10:25-37
Pentecost 16

Lift ev'ry voice and sing
'Til earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea...

For: 
September 13, 2020
Exodus 14:19-31
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" - Jesus

In Matthew 18, Jesus talks about the nature of community. Communities are built on mutual trust and respect. It’s okay to question the leader. Group discussion is encouraged. There is total transparency. Your family, your social club, your workplace, and especially your church, should never become a cult.

For: 
September 6, 2020
Matthew 18
Pentecost 14
Labor Day
“I will go over and see this strange sight..." - Moses

Moses at the burning bush became aware. Awareness is never optional. The pedestrian who is so glued to their iPhone that they step into traffic will one day be hit. God places these wake-up moments into our lives.

For: 
August 30, 2020
Exodus 3:1-15
Pentecost 13

Pages