Do you really want to get well? You have pain and affliction in your life. You’re suffering from the consequences of your own bad decisions and from forces outside of your control. You want relief and deliverance. So you cry out to God, “make me well!” But do you really want to get well? In John 5, Jesus encounters a blind man by a pool of water. Instead of immediately healing him, Jesus asks him this question: 5 One who was... Read more
Do you need a reminder of the immensity of God? Last week the nation was momentarily transfixed by a rare lunar eclipse. When we pause to drink in the vastness and the beauty of the heavens, we’re left speechless. Even here on earth, from the majestic beauty of Yosemite Valley to the quiet serenity of the Sahara Desert, mankind is left in awe at the power and might of our Creator. God himself uses the heavens and the earth to showcase His power:... Read more
How often do we miss Jesus all around us? I’m always in a state of mild shock when I read the accounts of Jesus in the gospels. It seems so obvious to me that Jesus is the Son of God, and yet people, even religious people, even religious leaders, missed it. How could you not see the Son of God standing right in front of you? 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the... Read more
Are you experiencing ever-flowing peace in your life? I’m not talking about a good day or a favorable turn of events. Do you have an internal peace that flows in the midst of external trials, a tangible contentment that far outweighs the circumstances of your life? If not, are there commands of God that you’re disobeying? 17 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for... Read more
Are you courageous enough to pray like Jesus? At the end of Luke, the narrative slows down to a crawl as we walk through the final days of Jesus’ life. In an emotionally supercharged moment, Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his death. In that hurricane of anguish, Jesus prays a prayer that is downright scary when we consider the practical implications: 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but... Read more
What block of wood are you bowing down to? When we look in the Old Testament, it’s far too easy to dismiss the problems the Israelites faced as issues common only to ancient civilizations. Surely advanced societies like ours have progressed beyond these issues, have we not? Consider God’s condemnation of Israel for worshipping blocks of wood. He calls out the ludicrousness of their logic: 9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. .... Read more
How do you respond to that? Recently I was at the Recovery House, a residential treatment facility for those overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. Every time I meet someone new I try and learn their story, because they are not a statistic. They are a human being, broken and battered as they might be. They have dignity and worth even in the midst of their current struggles. As always, their stories, and especially the path that led them to addiction... Read more
Are you helping or hindering little ones from coming into the Kingdom? Twice in Luke 17-18 Jesus speaks on a topic that was not often discussed in that day: children. To most today, first century views on children would come across as neglectful at best and downright evil at worst. From all the commentaries I’ve read, paternal affection was not held as a cultural virtue. Children were to be seen and not heard. ‘Exposing’ infants was common (the act of... Read more
What has your pain prepared you for? There is an upside to pain. Isaiah 40:3 is famous because this prophecy finds its fulfillment in the ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3). 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 I don’t think anyone would argue that John the Baptist had an easy life. As cool as camel hair jeans might sound, they were not... Read more
I can’t believe I’m actually comparing Donald Trump to Jesus. Believe me, I’m already uncomfortable with this. Somehow I don’t think Donald Trump would have much of a problem comparing himself to Jesus, which is why I’m so uncomfortable with it. But I’ve asked myself the question over and over these past few weeks: what makes Donald Trump so popular? It’s not the hair, as much as he might display it. It’s not his wealth; we’ve had wealthy candidates before.... Read more
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