Archive for the ‘Biblical Thoughts’ Category
“…Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the […]
Read More...Right now, between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, is my favorite week of the year. It starts with the high celebration of our Savior’s birth, it ends with the much lower celebration of mine. This week gives me an opportunity to reflect on my previous year (both the calendar […]
Read More...“Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?” He didn’t say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for […]
Read More...The other day when I was at California Adventure with my family, the boys went on a ride that my 3 year old daughter couldn’t do. While she and I were seeking some shelter from the pouring rain, I was surprised to see a door opened into an unmarked building […]
Read More...The other day I had a conversation with a man who, as a part of his job description, regularly has to place—and sometimes remove—pastors. It was interesting to talk to this leader of shepherds and realize the challenge involved in helping to discern a ministry fit or misfit. Most of […]
Read More...In Paul’s first recorded sermon (Acts 13) he talked about David. Among some of the other things he says about Israel’s king, there is this: “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep” (vs. 36) Every time I read that, I’m reminded that everyone […]
Read More...Psalm 131: A song of ascents. Of David. 1 My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, […]
Read More...For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the […]
Read More...For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the […]
Read More...For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the […]
Read More...For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the […]
Read More...There is a story in Luke 10 that constantly seems to speak to me in new ways: A woman named Martha opened up her home to Jesus. Mary, her sister, sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had […]
Read More...I was reading Luke 11 today and remembered that a big part of Jesus’ ministry was dealing with demonic issues in people’s lives. I’m not talking about some pre-modern misunderstanding of mental illness, but real demonic bondage. The reason I can’t shrug it off is that Jesus actually talked about […]
Read More...After His resurrection, Jesus appeared on the shore of the lake where His disciples were fishing. He called out to them after an all-night bust and told them to fish for a few minutes on the other side of the boat. It worked! Not until that moment did they know […]
Read More...There is a huge difference between a critical spirit and critical thinking. A critical spirit will destroy you and others. It manifests in the kind of person who is petty, judgmental, and often bitter. It wants to tear other people down, regardless of their motivation. A person who is overly […]
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