The Final Gospel Presentation of Jesus Christ Mark 15:33-47 In the other Gospel accounts, Jesus speaks at various points while on the cross. There are actually seven statements that Jesus made on the cross. I find it curious that Mark focused on only one of those statements. Jesus quotes the first verse of Psalm 22. Was it a cry because God was absent in Jesus’ most desperate hour? Or perhaps it was the first point of a Gospel presentation. “That’s... Read more
Successful Money Management Proverbs 22:1-16 In a survey, ING Direct learned that many parents are uncomfortable talking to their children about money. In fact, 39 percent of parents are more prepared to talk about alcohol and drugs with their children than about money and finance; 29 percent would rather talk about dating and sex. Perhaps most surprising is that 95 percent believe financial education should be taught in school. If parents want a Christian worldview for their children where money... Read more
How to GIVE Matthew 6:19-24 Richard Foster, stated in his book Money, Sex and Power: When we give money, we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security. Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure of discovery. We are being used to help make a difference in the world, and... Read more
How to BUDGET Luke 14:28-33 I learned long ago about planning with the following phrase: Prior proper planning prevents pitiful poor performance. That rule is illustrated with this story about money. This is the story of a man who did not budget properly. In this mini-parable, Jesus teaches us about budgeting. In the immediate context, this is about how a man spends his money. In the larger context, this idea of budgeting affects how I live as a follower of... Read more
I Love My Community Luke 4:16-19 In his book Concentric Circles of Concern, Dr. Oscar Thompson wrote that “the gospel moves on contiguous lines – on lines of relationship.”1 The key to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ he said is relationships. What were the relationships that Jesus developed, in order to spread His message? Jesus’ personal people group: the marginalized in His community “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach... Read more
I Love My Church John 13:34-35 Dennis, from Katy, Texas, needed some same-day dry cleaning before he left on a trip. He remembered a store with a huge sign, “One-Hour Dry Cleaners,” on the other side of town, so he drove there to drop off a suit. After filling out the tag, he told the clerk, “I need this in an hour.” She said, “I can’t get this back to you until Thursday.” “I thought you did dry cleaning in... Read more
How My Church Can Help Me Hebrews 10:19-25 Jesus has opened up a new and living way for me that helps me for eternity. Yet, Jesus didn’t save me in isolation. Jesus built a support system to help me to follow Him. There are two times that the “since is used. The word “since describes that Jesus did a certain work in the past that allows me to live as a Christian today. First, the writer of Hebrews says that... Read more
How to Encourage Positive Church Community Hebrews 3:7-19 In his autobiography Alias Jungle Doctor, Dr. Paul White concludes his chapter “Doctor at Work” on his medical career: “I found that friendship, fellowship and encouragement lifted a person’s morale. Encouragement, be it physical or spiritual, is the most powerful and useful tonic in any pharmacopoeia.”1 I think that one of the themes in the book of Hebrews is the power of positive church community. Some people believe that Hebrews 10 speaks... Read more
Reaching Out to the Digital Generation for Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Let me share with you an important shift that I believe has happened in the culture. We have moved from modern society to a postmodern society. I think this is similar to the differences between the Jews and Gentiles that Paul speaks in this passage. The modern society has a knowledge of God and Jesus. They are familiar with the church. The church was part of the culture and... Read more
Resume My Journey God Has For Me Deuteronomy 1:6-8 God has spoken to me. I have stayed at this mountain long enough. I need to resume my journey and go forward to my neighbors. See, God has set a mission before me. Enter and take possession of that mission. (Deuteronomy 1:6-8) – Personal Bible Verse for 2019 A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is drudgery; a vision and a task is the... Read more
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