Compassion

Photo by Patrick Fore on UnsplashWe can easily find information of all types online. That ease may deceive us into thinking that we “know it all” – a belief that can lead to pride.  Instead, Scripture calls us to really love each other – and “don’t think that we know it all!” Scripture:        Proverbs, chapters 16-18; Romans, chapter 12 Romans 12:9-18 (NLT): Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love […]

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash  “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 […]

credit: Pixabay“How Does the Holy Spirit Help the Apostles?” In my first article on the subject of Pentecost, I considered the question, “What Happens at Pentecost?” In this article, I’ll look at a different question: “How does the Holy Spirit help the apostles?” Answering that question will help us to better understand how the Holy Spirit helps believers today. “You Will Receive Power” In Acts 1:8, just before he ascended […]

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 […]

Photo by Mukuko Studio on UnsplashWhat 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 […]

Photo by Ricardo Rocha on UnsplashDoes 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 […]

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? […]

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 […]

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 […]