What Happens at Pentecost?

Last updated on: May 26, 2023 at 12:14 pm By Rick Rice

“What Happens at Pentecost?” Pentecost is an important holiday on the Christian calendar. It celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. However, it is also relatively unknown outside the Church, and often neglected within the Church. So why is Pentecost important? To answer that question, I’ll first discuss what happened at Pentecost. Then, I’ll look at what happens at Pentecost – why is it still important to the Church? Acts 2:1-12 (NIV): When... Read more

Friends of God

Last updated on: May 24, 2023 at 11:18 am By Rick Rice

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What does it mean to be “friends of God?” Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 9; 2 Chronicles, chapter 8; Psalm 136; Romans, chapter 5 Romans 5:1-11 (NLT): Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to... Read more

OKRs for Spiritual Leadership

Last updated on: May 23, 2023 at 3:43 pm By Rick Rice

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Photo by Louis Moncouyoux on Unsplash A couple of days ago, I wrote a post discussing OKRs for disciples and potential disciples. (here’s the link to that post: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/myjourney/2023/05/spiritual-okrs-for-disciples-and-potential-disciples/). Today, I want to consider the application of OKR methodology to spiritual leadership. Are there principles for spiritual leaders beyond those for all disciples which I mentioned in the earlier article? If so, what additional Objectives and Key Results are appropriate for spiritual leaders? (Note: my comments are directed to Christian... Read more

Does God Hear Every Prayer?

Last updated on: May 23, 2023 at 1:13 pm By Rick Rice

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Does God hear every prayer? Yes – but that doesn’t mean he grants every request! Scripture: 2 Chronicles, chapters 6-7; Psalm 135; Romans, chapter 4 2 Chronicles 7:11-16 (NLT): So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as... Read more

“Not One Word Has Failed”

Last updated on: May 22, 2023 at 10:40 am By Rick Rice

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As we struggle to follow the example of Jesus, we need to remember that God has provided all that we need to live godly lives – and not one word of his promises has failed! Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 8; 2 Chronicles, chapter 5; Psalm 99; Romans, chapter 3 1 Kings 8:54-61 (NLT): When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the Lord, he stood up in front of the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling and... Read more

Spiritual OKRs for Disciples (and Potential Disciples)

Last updated on: May 21, 2023 at 9:34 pm By Rick Rice

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What are some spiritual OKRs for disciples (and potential disciples)? The acronym OKR stands for “Objectives and Key Results.” In the business world, OKRs encourage people and organizations to identify goals (“Objectives”) and the measurable steps which will lead them to reach those goals (“Key Results”). Can we apply this same methodology to our spiritual journey? Specifically, what OKRs would be appropriate for someone who is seeking to follow Jesus? Clarifications First, some clarifications. Some Christians use the term “seeker”... Read more

David’s Last Prayer

Last updated on: May 17, 2023 at 11:41 am By Rick Rice

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People often want to hear the “last words” of the famous and powerful. Today’s passage shows us David’s last prayer – and we can learn a great deal from this “man after God’s own heart.” Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 2; 1 Chronicles, chapter 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 (NLT): Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and... Read more

Hushai – A Real Friend

Last updated on: May 15, 2023 at 10:38 am By Rick Rice

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We all have acquaintances, associates, neighbors – but what does it mean to be a friend? Scripture: 1 Chronicles, chapters 25-27; 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 1 Chronicles 27:32-34 (NLT): Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoida son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab... Read more

30 Pieces of Silver

Last updated on: May 10, 2023 at 11:18 am By Rick Rice

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Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The greed and transactional nature of such a betrayal shocks us. Should it? Is that really so unusual in our world? Scripture: 2 Samuel, chapter 18; Psalm 56; Matthew, chapter 27 Matthew 27:1-10 (NLT): Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman... Read more

What Happened in Gethsemane?

Last updated on: May 9, 2023 at 12:02 pm By Rick Rice

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What happened in Gethsemane? Betrayal, denial, and failure – a snapshot of the world’s response to Jesus. Scripture: 2 Samuel, chapter 17; Psalm 71; Matthew, chapter 26 Matthew 26:47-56 (NLT): And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one... Read more