How do we go about showing consideration to others?
The main thing: Gentleness is an expression of compassion, seen in God’s dealings with the frail and weak, and expected …
Category Archives: God’s Goal
Do we understand the urgency of Jesus?
Jesus challenges us to live life urgently. He does not have a “plan B” for us. We are His plan. …
Will Jesus call us worthless goats and send us to hell?
Jesus has some goals in mind for us. Jesus is clear what they are. Jesus warns us that there will …
Why worry? Why are we so anxious about the least little things?
The list of things I can worry about is long. Give me a whole day and it grows enormously. My …
What do we have to fear?
Why this is important: We do not have to be timid or shy. Fear cannot grip our hearts. He has …
How radical is Jesus concept of love? Will it bring out the best in us?
Why this is important: There are people in our lives that simple challenge us. Many times, that challenge clearly brings …
Are we fortunate to be persecuted?
God’s people have always faced persecution. The prophets were reviled, tortured, and killed. History records that ten of Jesus’ disciples …
How should we pray? Are there any secrets to know?
Why it matters: There are times that I seem to know what I am doing. There are other times I …
Does the cost of discipleship involve self-denial?
Jesus lays out the terms of discipleship. There were great crowds following Him. Everyone loved the miracles, healing, and free …
Are God’s plans revealed to his people?
Here is the deal. We may not always know God’s plan but He does. And He has one. God is …
Why did Jesus have to enter into every detail of human life?
Why this is important: I know sometimes I am trying to help with the wrong thing. I think I understand …
Does our faith impress Jesus?
Does our faith impress Jesus? Jesus challenges us to have a bold kind of faith. This woman came to Jesus …
Will we serve money and wealth?
Want to know what Jesus thinks? Here is Everything Jesus had to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the …
Will we persist in following Jesus to the end?
We know there can be a problem. There is the early enthusiasm of hearing Jesus and knowing him. But the …
Can we round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit?
What is it that challenges bring to me? What does all the trouble mean? I get to shout praise. Trouble …
What does faithfulness look like in our prayer life?
Prayer is the energy that enables the Christian soldier to wear the armor and wield the sword. We cannot fight …
What is our job today?
Well, this is a simple job description. What is my job? It is to bless. That is it!! When I …
Are we being naïve about certain ministers?
This is quite common. I don’t think of it that way naturally, but it is when you start looking below …
Do we want to see good days?
I must embrace life. I want to see my days fill up with good stuff. God’s goal for us is …
Is Jesus serious about what it will cost to follow Him?
Does Jesus really mean what He says? Am I to: Give up my family. Give up my money. Give up …
Did Jesus complete every task?
And so … It is done. It is complete. There is nothing else to do except be raised from …
What has God prepared for me to do beforehand? Is there a plan B?
There is no plan B. There is no backup plan. Contingencies are out the door. God has a goal for …
Will God bless our generosity?
Generosity is interesting. It brings a blessing back to me. That blessing takes many forms. The greatest is the …
Is school out?
There comes a point where we know enough to move forward. We need “to ship” the product and move on. …
How much are we willing to sacrifice?
So now we are down to the real issue. Jesus has laid out the case for what it takes to …
What should we do about manipulation in our lives?
We miss God’s goal when our goal is to get our own way. Jesus stops us dead in our track by …
Does our work make a difference?
The backdrop to this is the feeding of the five thousand. It is a stunning miracle. Jesus was moved not …
Does God inspire human compassion?
Why this is important: Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, exemplified all the Father’s attributes, including His compassion. When …
Are we shouting for joy over all the good God has in store for us?
We love God but still do not have a clear idea what He has in mind for us. What God …
Should you give to beggars?
Jesus is noticeably clear and straightforward about giving to the poor. I do not know why it stumps so many …
What is God up to?
I am waiting on God. There is no point in moving on without God. In that waiting, I find strength. …
What is the challenge of too much wealth?
Materialism is defined as “the preoccupation with material things rather than intellectual or spiritual things.” If a disciple of Jesus …
“What you have learned, received, and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” ~Apostle Paul
How would Paul summarize things? Well, he would suggest that I fill my mind on some things that are …
Is hypocrisy endemic in our leadership?
Hypocrisy is pretense to being what one really is not, especially the pretense of being a better person than one …
“For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” ~Isaiah
Leveling a road takes a while. It is not something that happens overnight. Because I am in right standing with …
Are we being misled by false prophets and teachers?
Jesus warns us in Matthew 7 where we hear Him say “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s …
Should we just stand in line and take our turn?
Jesus had been pretty busy. He took a trip to a new area thinking he could get away for a …
Will Jesus abandon us?
Sometimes our worst fears come true. It really was cancer. We did go broke. We were homeless and living in …
Are Christians called on to pray for one another?
Quite simply, intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. The role of mediator in prayer was …
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” ~Apostle Paul
God made plans for us that gave Him pleasure in putting together. It was not an inconvenience to Him in …
Do spiritual riches more than compensate for material poverty?
The lack of spiritual riches and gifts is seen by Scripture as an especially distressing cause of poverty. Awareness of …
Does love always look for the best?
God is love. God is always looking for the best in us. He does not see our foibles and quirks. God …
Have we been made free by the truth?
We all know people who have something to say about everything. Is this me? Is this you? Think about it. …
Have we fully considered the cost of discipleship? Have we carefully considered it all?
Jesus was quite explicit about the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires a totally committed life: “Any of you who does …
Why isn’t the word of God always heard and acted on?
Jesus knows that God’s word is not always received well. The seeds on the road are those who hear the …
Are unbelievers spiritually blind?
To be spiritually blind is not to see the Messiah, and not to see the Messiah is not to see …
Why does Jesus want us to be pure in how we see sex?
Jesus challenges us to see how corrupt our heart can be, and it is about our heart. Jesus says do …
Is sharing in fellowship a result of God’s love?
God has a great goal and vision for fellowship. It is one of the two big things Jesus expects from …
Why did Jesus have so little honor in his hometown and on the streets he played in as a child?
Jesus was working for God. One of many of gifts of Jesus was being a prophet. Jesus goes home to …
What should we do with the light?
Jesus brings us the light of truth. Jesus illuminates us about GOD. Since we have seen the light, Jesus challenges …
Is peacemaking a big goal given to us from Jesus?
Why this is important: Jesus continues on with his manifesto (aka sermon on the mountain). Jesus calls on us to …
What happens when we ignore discipline in our lives?
Discipline is a very important principle in God’s world. God disciplines us for our own good. God is a loving …
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” ~Apostle Paul
Why this is important: God doesn’t hold anything back from us. God gives us the full report about what life …
Do we believe Jesus will heal us?
It is a good question. Sometimes I believe yes, sometimes I don’t even think about it. I am forgetful of …
Should the church help the poor?
Paul is planning a big trip. One obstacle, however, remains in the way of Paul’s trip to the western part …
Why do we commemorate Jesus the Messiah’s atoning death in the Lord’s Supper?
Why this is important: Jesus came to atone for our sin. Jesus came to pay the price for our having …
Is Jesus God’s Anointed One (the Messiah)?
The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the …
Are we ready to take God seriously?
God’s plan for us is plain, clear and simple. God challenges us to love, do justice, be kind and be …
Is it time to try something new?
Why this is important: We seek and search for the “new thing” and the “new message”. It is the shiny …
Jesus and the homeless problem. What should we do?
As Jesus remarked to Judas Iscariot, ‘You always have the poor with you’ (John 12:8). Looking around at the cities, …
What is the main thing about the main thing?
Jesus is beginning to wrap up his Manifesto (aka the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7). Jesus now lays …
What are we to do? Does Jesus expect us to obey?
What are we to do? It all starts with listening. From there, as a follower of Jesus, we are to …
What should followers of Jesus do about abuse?
Why this is important: There is right and there is wrong. We all know the difference. We must remember to …
What is the task of the church in the mission given to us by Jesus? Is it making disciples?
We have been given a mission from our Master Jesus. The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command …
Are we ready to hear what Jesus has to say?
Some days we just don’t see what is going on. We desperately need insight. We aren’t hearing the wisdom of …
How can we be delivered from the evil one?
Why this is important: Jesus taught us to pray. Jesus gave us the template. The prayer is a part of …
How should we give to the needy?
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and …
Is a true prophet’s godly life a reflection of his calling?
Why this is important: Jesus said, “a tree is recognized by its fruit”. When looking for “fruit,” here are specific …
What will we hear Jesus say to us at the end of the day?
Can Jesus depend on me? There have been many times where He could not. I did not step up to …
What should we do about lust in our lives?
The Jesus Manifesto is radical. Jesus changes the way things work in the new covenant (aka contract, agreement or testament). …
Are we asking, knocking and seeking? Will we persist?
Why it matters: Jesus continues the lessons from His Manifest (Matthew 5-7). This one is very important. It is the …
Are we learning how to be gentle and meek?
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
What is the outcome of mourning?
Jesus is ushering in the Kingdom of God. I like to think of Matthew 5 to 7 as his manifesto …
Is God’s plan through Jesus the Messiah for the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews?
God’s plan: God has a master plan. Some of it seems a mystery to us but we can be confident …
Are we guilty of contempt?
Are we treating Jesus with contempt? Now that is a tough question. I don’t really want to think about it. …
Is this yeast worth being warned about?
Religious establishment elites and leaders of the early first century were driven by desires for secular power, politics and religious …
Is there truth in the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’?
Jesus is clear that we don’t always know our role but we have to tell everyone the Good News. It …
Can we predict how hard it will be for us in following Jesus?
This Jesus saying is a part of what I call the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) aka the Sermon …
Do we have respect for God’s word?
It is essential that we have great respect for God’s words. What do we know about the word of God? …
All this time and money wasted — do we think it makes that much difference?
Jesus knows how to ask questions. He forces us to get clear. What is important? Perhaps the question is rhetorical …
Is the cost of following Jesus carrying one’s cross?
Today the cross is an accepted symbol of love and sacrifice. But in that day the cross was a horrible …
Why can’t I judge others?
Should I judge others? Jesus is clear in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). I have plenty of my own issues. …
Can we magnify God in our worship?
Giving glory to God through worship and through upright living. God’s people are exhorted to praise him and to bring …
Are we on fire with the Holy Spirit of God?
Why this is important: I am not immune to competing for my spiritual faction (aka denomination). I think it is …
Why do we doubt Jesus?
Peter started it. Peter is bold. Is Peter showing off for the others? Perhaps. Peter plows ahead though. Then … …
Is the wage of a good person an exuberant life?
God’s goal for us is that we be joyful and enthusiastic. When we are good and wise, we have a …
How can we love our enemies?
This is important: Jesus is all about forgiveness. That is the reason God sent him to us. We need forgiveness …
Are we just dwelling on the past and the “good old days”?
How often do I dwell in the past? Remember the time …. Ah, the good old days!! Nostalgia is interesting …
Do wrong motives hinder effective prayer?
Often we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of “spirituality.” We have the wrong motives. We are like Miriam …
Are we trying to cover up our corrupt heart?
Jesus challenges us to be the real deal. Nothing worse, in God’s world, than faking it. May I be genuine …
Does hope disappoint?
The main thing: Now this is amazing. I am not disappointed when I hope. In my hope, I see Jesus. …
Will we let our light shine?
Why it is important: Jesus makes a declaration about His followers in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). We …
How amazing are the miracles of healing that Jesus performed?
We are all amazed at the miracles of Jesus. They are stunning. The scope of the power of God in …
Is the Harvester waiting?
Jesus challenges us to understand that God is ready to act. God isn’t waiting around. God will move. God isn’t waiting. …
Why is Jesus hated by religious leaders?
Why it matters: When you talk to people who are non-Christians today, they are usually very complimentary of Jesus. They’ll …
When should it be ASAP?
Today is the day to start. Let’s redefine ASAP. A = Always S = Say A = A P = …
What should we think about good works?
The big picture: Goodness and good works are acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. We …
How do we achieve right standing with God?
How much of what we do “for Jesus” is done to be seen by others? Probably too much. Jesus is …
Can we overcome temptation through prayer?
We have good news. We can overcome temptation by prayer. God will listen and give us strength. Earlier in the …
Are we the ones who are going ‘to get’ what Jesus is saying?
It is sad that Jesus knows that not matter how He communicates the message, some of us aren’t going to …
