The promise of Jesus (John 7:37-39) is for the fulfillment of the mission He authorized and commissioned His disciples to engage (Mark 16:15). Quite clearly the promise was fulfilled on Pentecost (Acts 2:1f) and has not ceased to be the mission of all Jesus' followers. We are to go everywhere with this Great Good News: Jesus saves...completely! Here is the reminder to the timid and reluctant...it ...  Read More

The difference between listening to respond and listening to understand is profound (see Michael Johnson's words in the Prayer Journal). We do not live in a listening culture, but when there is listening, it tends to be the former. Jesus' words in John 7:24 grabbed my 'listening to undertsand' attention this morning. In a world that listens little and then judges by appearances, listening to respo...  Read More

Hezekiah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:2-3). The LORD (YaHWeH), God (Elohim) of his ancestor David (same God, everpresent, in full control) said: "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you" (v.5b). Josiah heard the Word (Torah) of God and tore his clothes, repentant, and said to the priest: "Go pray, intercede!" (2 Kings 22:11-13). The LORD responde...  Read More

Jesus said, "The one who comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37b)I found today's Prayer Journal reading from Matthew 9:38 (a passage we have studied recently) very compelling. Meditate on these few words by David Goodwin, its author."The instruction in today's scripture comes from a reservoir of love bigger than the universe itself. The gut-wrenching compassion of Jesus compels him to enli...  Read More

John's sign #4 is today's Gospel reading (John 6:1-21 - we looked into the 1st on Sunday, water to wine; the 2nd was the healing of the Gentile officials son; the 3rd was the healing at the pool). One of our challenges in life is to want to be comfortable more than anything...you know, we are living in a material world and we like our creature comforts. When this becomes our sole focus, we are in ...  Read More

"Throughout the time the priest Jehoiada instructed him, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s sight." (2 Kings 12:2, CSB)Across the table from me sat a Christian brother and fellow pastor with whom I have developed a lasting and deep friendship. One lesson I have learned through life and ministry is that I do not have all the answers. God speaks to me in many ways, but beyond Scripture and praye...  Read More