Category: Life Purpose - Jethro TOOLS

The Value Driven Life

5/24/2026

Genesis 10-11
Our values seem to change depending on our circumstances. For example if you are building an emergency shelter you may only use a tarp to provide protection from the weather. However, if you are building your home you want to make sure the roof is waterproof, the walls are insulated and it is warm inside. One structure is built on the value of survival while the other is built on sustained living comfort. In other words what we do and how we act is based on the values that we hold. In Genesis 11 we see the issue of values played out in real life, but in an incorrect manner. In the account of the tower of Babel humanity tried to gain access to heaven on their own. They set up their government under their own rules with their own values in opposition to God. They had a self centered plan to build for their own recognition and significance rather than God’s (4). Their construction project was their way of gaining access to God on their terms rather than coming to God on His terms by grace through faith. In the end God displayed His sovereignty over minuscule man by personally analyzing and judging their work and motives from His all knowing standard (5-6). This resulted in God enacting His plan by sovereignly halting their collaborative work through the introduction of various languages (8-9). God’s original plan was for humanity to spread and fill the earth and thus spread His glory around the world (see Genesis 1:28 & Genesis 9:7). Instead the people remained in one location with those that were just like them and believed like them. In doing so they disregarded God’s command and distorted the worship of God into a self centered experience. Like them our values will impact where we go, what we do and who we talk about. May our Biblical values direct our humble service to God and our purposeful conversation about God.

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Appearing of the King

4/5/2026

John 20:19-23
A new movie was released in December 2019 called Togo. The setting is the 1925 diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska. A dog musher by the name of Leonhard Seppala was sent to pick up a bundle of medical serum. Together with his dog team, that was led by Togo, they raced over 250 miles to bring the life saving serum to the dying people of Nome. Like Seppala we as believers face many problems in this life. John writes, in John 20, that Jesus sent His followers out with a task to deliver the life saving message of forgiveness and salvation through Him. His presence with them brought peace regardless of the present problems. Jesus promised His continued power in their lives through the present working power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were sent to live out His purpose in their life as they proclaimed the message of forgiveness through Jesus to those dying without Him. We too have been sent to deliver the life saving message of Jesus. Like the disciples we may wall ourselves off from society out of fear of confrontation, and accusation of being connected to Jesus. Notice that Jesus shows up when least expected and most needed. The disciples were filled with fear. Easter Sunday reminds us that because of the resurrection of Jesus we can live a new life with God’s power. Do you believe that Jesus rose from the grave to change everything? The reality that Jesus is alive changes everything. The peace that comes through believing Christ overcomes fear. The power to serve is found in God’s enablement. We are given a purpose to live for Him and proclaim freedom and forgiveness through Jesus. As you look at your life and your world, what is unsettling and uncertain for you? Jesus came to forgive sin and give new life and new power to live for Him. What we believe will change the way we live.

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The Pattern

2/22/2026

Genesis 1:3-31
Have you ever failed at making something good? It may be a craft project, a carpentry project or a cooking project. From my early years, I remember one time when my mother made a German Chocolate birthday cake for my father. Everything was going well, until Mom had to assemble the layers. Everything started to slide. It was not good, but Mom had a creative solution. She reasoned that a rubber band can hold all kinds of things together. Therefore, it should be able to hold her cake together. It partially worked. The problem came when she went to cut the cake and could not find the rubber band. In Genesis 1 we see God record His process of creation. These verses contain the repeated pattern of: a command from God, a response to God’s command, a statement naming what has been created, followed by an assessment and marking of sequential order. In six days God created the heavens and the earth. The later days are used by God to fill what He had previously made. The heavens are filled with the moon and stars. The waters are filled with fish, and the earth is filled with animals. But, on the sixth day we see God’s crowning achievement of creation: people. This is noted as distinct and different as humanity is created in God’s image (26). God, the originator, still brings order and purpose to our lives and our world. God, as the source of all that is good, makes what is good. As people, we can worship and praise Him for giving our lives purpose and meaning. We worship Him for His goodness. God has formed our lives, and our world so we can be His representative image bearers who display His goodness. By faith, we believe God is our creator. Today, our belief in Jesus, as our Savior, makes it possible for us to celebrate His goodness for all eternity.

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The Chaos

2/15/2026

Genesis 1:2
Chaos is an interesting word that describes disorder, confusion of direction and lack of correct function. One way that we try to keep the chaos at bay in our life is through our societal emphasis on organization. We purchase file folders for organization. We utilize storage systems in an attempt to keep our things organized. We even use calendars with reminders to keep our life in order. Then we read books on organization that hopefully keep us from dysfunction. Why do we have a strong tendency toward dysfunction? The root causes of dysfunction and disorder lie in sin and the rebellious opposition to God and His ways of proper function and order. In Genesis 1:2 God describes the world before He made it as disorderly, dysfunctional and chaotic. The earth did not have a form, it was not filled with life of any kind and it was covered in darkness. The words used to describe this paint the picture of chaos. Yet, Genesis records that God was hovering above all of this, watching and preparing for what He was about to do next. That was God in the beginning before our world was made. What kind of chaos exists in your world today? Sin has distorted the order of our world and the submission to God’s rule in our life. Jesus told us to pray for His perfect order and rule (Matthew 6:9-10). As in the beginning, we can discover God and His work, all we need to do is look up and call out to Him. Perhaps we may doubt God’s power. Remember that in the beginning God formed the world out of chaotic nothingness. He is a delivering God. We need to discern that God is at work even in the chaos of our sin sick world. God is at work making all things new. Trust in God as your creator and savior. Tell others how He has changed your chaos to calm.

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Christmas Time: Explained

12/24/2025

John 1:1-8
We are now into the Christmas season. Your mind and your calendar may be full with all the things that you need to accomplish between now and December 25. In our busyness we often forget or neglect the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus born as Savior of the world. The cradle does not exist without the cross. However, the Christmas story begins before the cradle. As John begins the fourth book in the New Testament he highlights six essential truths about Jesus the savior born in the manger. John opens the first chapter by explaining that Jesus is God’s personal communication to us (1). Second, he explains the preexistence of Jesus in the beginning (1). Thirdly, John explains that Jesus is God (1-2), who fourthly gives life (3-4). Fifth, John explains the opposition of the darkness and evil to the light and truth of God’s communication of Jesus as Savior (5). This finally leads John to explain his role as a messenger who declares that belief in Jesus is essential (6-8). God designed and planned to personally reveal Himself to mankind through Jesus. John writes these things so that we, his audience, may believe that Jesus is the Savior and by believing we may have life in His name (John 20:30-31). This message is true for the audience of John’s day and for us today. Has the power of God displayed to us through Jesus overcome your darkness? Belief in Jesus is essential for life in Him. It is only through belief in Him as savior that we find our true purpose in life. We have been designed to reveal His greatness and light to people lost in a dark world in need of the light and life found only in Jesus. May the joy of Jesus fill you with His message. May the light of Jesus guide you as you daily walk with Him. He came to give His life so we can have true life by believing in Him.

For More See JOHN

Suffering

11/2/2025

1 Peter 3:13-4:6
It has been said we are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or about to go into a trial. That is true of each of us. Trials are the events in our life that introduce pain into our life. Pain is the hurt that is felt, while suffering is the continued condition of feeling the pain. Some years back I was diagnosed with cancer. That was a trial that I had never experienced before. I had a serious condition that required immediate attention and surgery. Enter pain. The testing and surgery introduced pain into my life that I had never before experienced. For months I continued to suffer with the lingering side effects and pain as I recovered from surgery. Eventually the hardship of suffering decreased, the pain subsided and the trial ended. Was there any benefit to the suffering? Good health was the outcome, but is that the only outcome? In God’s eyes pain and suffering does have a purpose and a good outcome. 1 Peter 3:18 tells us that that the death of Christ was for the purpose of bringing us to God. Through the pain and suffering God brought good. 1 Peter 4 reminds us that we are to live in imitation of Christ having the same attitude (1). The message of the gospel is proclaimed through the pain of suffering. We can only know restoration to God through Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us. That is good news. In much the same way God redeems our suffering as we submit to Him using our pain for His purpose. On a human level that is hard. We want life to be pain free. However, I can personally say that God allowed me to tell others of His love and grace through the suffering caused by cancer. God wants to redeem your pain for His good. Will you let him?

For More See 1 PETER

Hope

10/19/2025

Lamentations 3
What is hope? Hope is a very strong emotion that gives meaning and purpose to life. Hope is the expectation of something better in the future that helps us overcome problems or pain in the present. Hope is essential for a well balanced life and mental well being. Without hope people often give up and ask, “What is the use?” Hope looks to the future and desires something good while at the same time it shapes our present thinking and action. The problem is that when we use the word hope we often lack the certainty and confidence that what we hope for will occur. However, Biblical hope is based on faith in God plus the certainty of the all powerful God that we serve. Being human, we live in this continuum of time and space and we become discouraged when hope is not fulfilled. I appreciate what Jeremiah the author of Lamentations writes in chapter 3. In spite of the past sins and the present situation because of sin Jeremiah finds a renewed perspective of hope that only God can give (21). He describes God as never failing (22) and faithful (23). A confident faith in the character of God shapes our present perspective when, like Jeremiah, all may seem hopeless. Are you filled with hope? Where do you place your hope? If we are attentive we may examine our life and see ways that we have placed our faith and hope in other sources rather than God. The people of Jeremiah’s day wrestled with this just like we do. So what is the solution? A mature faith with a clear God honoring perspective will look past the present to the faithful and unchanging God who is at work bringing about His desires in the present. Our hope is to be based on Him not the solution to our circumstance. The message of the gospel is that we find hope in Christ alone.

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Sufficiency of God

9/21/2025

Habakkuk 3:3-19
Recently I watched an actor portray Lewis Sperry Chafer giving a speech, as part of a centennial celebration at Dallas Theological Seminary. In the speech Chafer is attributed as saying, “It is not the size of the man that counts. Not even the size of the dream. Rather it’s the size of the God who gives the dream to the man.” Our aspirations, however big or small are finite compared to the all powerful work of the all powerful God who can do more than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21). God is never limited by humanity, but we as people are limited by our view and practice of confident faith in a sufficient and sovereign God. How we view God and His power makes all the difference to our perspective, and practice of faith. Habakkuk was enabled to see God and His sovereign power at work (3-7). God’s power is displayed through His unchangeable nature. Like Habakkuk, we also can have a confident hope in God who is faithful and unchanging. Even though our world is constantly changing God does not. Habakkuk closes out this chapter with his song honoring God and the confident faith that He instills within the prophet (16-19). Habakkuk confidently states that he has found God to be sufficient in all areas of his life even if everything is taken away (17). His joy is in God who saves him (18). Like Habakkuk our life is to tell the story of God’s sufficiency. He alone enables us to live a new life free from fear of the uncertainties and perils and to declare His supreme greatness. God is sufficient. Through Jesus, He has come to give us hope and conquer the control of sin in our life. Like Habakkuk our purpose is found in praising God’s work. Our proper view of God’s sufficiency and strength will guide our life and practice of walking by faith. God is enough.

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Members Who Serve

8/24/2025

Romans 12:1-8
What motivates you? We may be motivated by hunger so we begin a search for food. We may be motivated by self protection so we live life fearing many things. We may be motivated by greatness so we live a life focused on our fantasy of self elevation. There are many things that may motivate us. Satan even used hunger, pride and self preservation as motivating factors to tempt Jesus (Luke 4:1-13). But a temptation is only a temporary motivation, because once we yield the temptation we find that it does not satisfy. Even John, one of the disciples, mentions the fleeting nature of our worldly desires (1 John 2:17). So where should we look to find something worth living for, a lasting motivation? In Romans 12, Paul urges his audience to present themselves wholly to God because He is worthy (1-2). In other words, the believer is to be motivated serve God because of what Jesus Christ has done for them. Sin and self are no longer master of the believer. Christ has saved the believer to be conformed to Him and changed by Him. The believer is to be dedicated to God alone (1-2) and serve God’s purposes alone (3-8). Worldly thinking says that our purpose and motivation in living should be found in what we gain for our self. Ion the other hand the believer in Jesus Christ, who has been transformed by Christ, marches to a different drum beat and follows a different master. As a member of Christ body, the church, the believer in Jesus finds their significance in serving others and building the body. Self is removed from the center and Christ now rules the body, mind and action of the believer. Christ has not only saved us from sin, but He has saved us for His purpose of being a blessing that builds others for His kingdom. What motivates you?

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Member with Others

8/10/2025

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Arm wrestling is a sport that has gained popularity in recent years through one of its main participants, Devon Larratt. It may not seem like it, but arm wrestling is a very technical sport, and Devon Larratt has taken on the task of fine tuning and developing every part of his body to make it more powerful than that of his opponents. On a quick look one might think the best arm wrestler to be a big person with bulging biceps. However, Larratt has studied and developed even his smallest muscles by growing them in strength and endurance. The result is an impressive world recognition as one of the greatest arm wrestlers of all time, and he has the championships to prove it. His success is founded on very part, even the little parts doing their job. The same is true of the church. Every part of the church body is called on to serve at their maximum capacity for the benefit of the whole body and the honor of God. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the church, God’s body, is like a physical body that is made up of many parts (12-14). A body that is divided leads to discord and dysfunction (15-17). Every part of the body is designed and placed by God to perform a specific purpose for the benefit of the whole body (18-20). The individual functions with in the body of Christ to bring honor to Him (21-26). Each individual member is committed to the others because they are connected through Christ (27). Christ is the unifying factor that changes our relationships with everyone, and particularly those within the church. The problem is that we live in a world that is individually centered. This thinking is counter to Pauls teaching. How can God use you and your relationship with Him to strengthen other believers to make His body, the church, stronger?

For More See 1 CORINTHIANS

Faith and Saving

6/29/2025

Proverbs 3:1-12
Returning home, the house was strangely silent. The flick of the light switch produced no result. The steady hum of the old refrigerator was nonexistent. These and more were the symptoms discovered today as we walked in the front door. The power was off. There was no electricity coming into my home to provide the power necessary to operate normal functions within my home. As with electricity, our lives need the connection to God’s power for successful operation. The book of Proverbs provides powerful word pictures that resemble life and give guidance on how to live a life of wisdom that honors God. Proverbs 3:9 tells us to honor God with our wealth. That is accomplished by giving back to God the first and best of what He has given us. This is a gift that reminds us of God’s rightful authority over our life. The very next verse tells us that when we apply this wisdom that honors God first it will lead to His blessing (10). The problem is that we as people want shortcuts to prosperity. We incorrectly think that righteousness leads to prosperity, therefore I will be righteous because I want to be prosperous. In doing so we love ourselves first and God takes a very distant second place. Prosperity should lead us to thankfulness and serving God with what He has given. When we save solely for our purposes we miss the security of God’s blessing. We must love God for who He is not what we want to get. God in His wisdom and grace has given us His best in Jesus. In Christ our perspective on the power of saving is changed. He saved us so we honor Him with the blessings He has given us. God wants His power to flow through our lives and bring honor to Him. Is it time to flip the perspective switch in our life from saving to honoring?

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Faith and Work

6/8/2025

Hebrews 11:7
Work involves thought and analysis tied to physical effort in order to see a desired result. The pay that is given when a job is finished is the result of completed work. When we are hired to do a job we work toward its completion with the resources that the employer provides. Hammers and saws may be provided for the contractor building a house, or pots and pans for a chef in a restaurant. Each worker gains more than just a paycheck, they gain a sense of purpose as they work toward the goal of finishing the house or feeding hungry customers. Employee trusts the employer to continue to manage the business in such a way that their work and its results matter. The same is true of our faith and relationship with God. In Hebrews 11:7 Noah’s faith moved him to work and build a boat because believed God. He believed that God was worthy of his loyal obedience and responded to God instruction to build the ark (Genesis 6:14). Not only did God provide the instruction, He also provided Noah the ability to work because had found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). Faith was the difference between Noah’s life and everyone else. He believed God’s message of judgment (Genesis 6:13) and he worked by faith with unquestioning obedience. Noah could have listened to the voices of reason, reality and reputation. Reason says, Why build a boat when there is not enough water? Reality says, Why start a seemingly impossible task that will take years to complete? Reputation says, What will everyone else say? Faith does not listen to the voices of distraction. Instead, faith listens to the reliable voice of God, and works to do the seemingly impossible. Our life of faith finds its purpose in honoring God and working to finish His task through His strength. Like Noah, our work of faith matters to God.

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Foundation of Beliefs

4/27/2025

John 1:1-16
Growing up in the North, earthquakes were frequent occurrences. Dishes would rattle in the kitchen and you would feel the house lurch and bump. This all happened because the of movement in the ground. At a much later date, I lived in the South where the ground moved because of the water content in the soil. In the rainy season the ground would swell, but without water the ground would shrink. In both locations homes needed to have good foundations or else the structure would fail because of the ground movement. A well built house must be tied to a well built foundation. Like a house our lives need to be built on something solid. A house that has a weak foundation will crack and not be usable if it is not repaired. In the same way our lives are built upon what we believe. If our beliefs are weak then our actions will be weak and ineffective. There are five core beliefs that we must hold if we profess a saving faith in Jesus. Scripture teaches us that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone for God’s glory alone. The Bible provides an accurate witness pointing to Christ as Savior (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Grace is God’s process of giving salvation (Titus 3:4-7). Faith is God’s work enabling the reception of salvation (Romans 1:16-17). True belief is centered on Christ as the only source of salvation (Romans 3:22). This leaves God’s glory as the goal of all who are saved (1 Corinthians 10:31). The problem is that it is easy to say that we are involved in the Christian life and yet not live the Christian life. God wants us to not only know what we believe but act on our beliefs. Our actions will prove what we truly believe. So what do you believe? Our beliefs will affect the way we live.

For More See JOHN

The Disciple's Purpose

2/16/2025

1 Peter 2:1-10
It was January of 2020 and we watched in shock as the coronavirus in China exploded out of control. The problem grew so much that the government immediately began building a thousand room hospital to try and deal with the epidemic and needed beds. Soon people were in desperate need of doctors, specialized care, and medicine all over the world. Medical teams and essential workers functioned in a ballet-like dance, as each one did a specific task for the purpose of eliminating the virus from their country. Throughout the pandemic we saw medical staff repeatedly praised for their sacrificial service. As we open the book of 1 Peter, we read along with an audience of believers who was living in hard times. In chapter 2 Peter reminds these believers under pressure that they have been given a new spiritual life for the purpose of growing in Christ, building others for Christ and continuing on with their belief in Christ. The end result is praise for what Christ has done in each life, regardless of the trials that have been faced in the process. Peter is challenging his readers, and us as well, to remember what God has done and what He is doing. This spiritual birth (1-3), formation and connection (4-5) are not things we can accomplish on our own. This is accomplished through God’s initial work of grace on the cross that is built on the foundation of Jesus our Savior (6-8). God’s purpose is to change us, and grow us, so we can praise Him (9-10). Just as a doctor is praised for his work on desperately sick patients, likewise, we are called to believe and carry the message of salvation and healing through a great Savior. If we can tell others how great our doctor is, can we not also tell others how great our God is?

For More See 1 PETER or DISCIPLESHIP

The Disciple's Passion

2/9/2025

Matthew 22:34-40
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. With that, our thoughts are drawn to what we love, who we love, and how we might show that love. Love is the root of a passionate expression. We can say that we love ice cream, sports, coffee or someone, but there is always an expression of that love. In its simplest form passion is doing what we love and loving what we do. Being a person of passion is expressing the strong excited response that is based on the deeper sense of love. If there is not a connection that attracts then there will not be the action based on the attraction. The Bible lays out God’s passionate connection for all humanity in John 3:16. God loved the world so much that He gave Jesus, His only Son, to be our savior from sin. Love is the motivation for the extreme action of God’s passion. The passion displayed in the action proves the reality of the love. In Matthew 22 Jesus was asked to identify the greatest command in the law (36). In response He says, love God and people (37-39). Jesus came and displayed God’s love to us so we can display His love to others. The good news of God’s love drove His passionate display of love. Our display of love for others is to be based on our understanding and acceptance of God’s love passionately displayed for all the world to see. That is life changing love, the kind of love that God wants His committed followers to display to others. On our own we do not have the capability to accurately display God’s love. Yet, as disciples of Jesus, we are graciously given the ability to love because we have experienced God’s love (1 John 4:19). Are we actively displaying our love for God and others as God has loved us?

For More See MATTHEW or 1 JOHN or DISCIPLESHIP

The Disciple's Mission

1/19/2025

Matthew 4:18-22
As a boy, I had always enjoyed dogs, but never had a chance to have one. Perhaps we never had a dog because Mom and Dad had moved frequently. Eventually, when I was about ten, we settled into a home that I would consider home. Arriving home from school one fall day, I noticed a dog tied up in front of the house. It turns out that some friends needed to find a new home for their dog and my parents approved. Well, that began the process of getting to know the dog and trying to train the dog. There is an old saying, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.” That was definitely true of this character. He should have been a good candidate to pull a sled. He was broad and muscular, but he lacked the motivation. He would pull for a bit and only when he wanted to. When he realized I was on the sled the ride was over. I was on a mission to develop him into a sled pulling dog and he wanted nothing to do with my trick. My plans and dreams for him could never compare to his desire for his enjoyment fulfilled his way. You could say it was a training disaster. However, when it comes to reshaping our lives and retraining us God has a plan, but it takes our submission. In Matthew 4 Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to follow Him (18) and promises to make them into something different (19). Change is not easy because we become comfortable with our way. Like these disciples we are called to follow Jesus and allow Him to change us, reshape us and use us for His purposes and honor. Like my old dog; Are we willing to submit to our savior and His new direction for our life? When we do we will find that our life has an exciting new meaning and purpose.

Foe More See MATTHEW or DISCIPLESHIP

Ministry Commitment

11/3/2024

1 Timothy 6:11-16
Every garden involves work, water and weeding, and over the years I have had plenty of experience in all three areas. However, the process repeats itself year after year. That process has made me consider what the garden strategically needs to be successful in the coming year. A garden reminds me of what is recorded in 1 Timothy 6 as Paul challenges Timothy to a life of godliness and a ministry that is marked by commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul refers to Timothy as a “man of God” (11) which is the key idea for the following verses. So what does it take to be known as one who is godly? The phrase “man of God” defines Timothy as being set apart from others who hold worldly values; it describes Timothy and his dedication to God; and it directs Timothy on the course he is to continue. If Godliness is something we all should strive for, then how do we become godly? What steps do we take? Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Often we turn that around by seeking to do what we think is right and then asking God’s approval. Proverbs challenges us to display our faith in the LORD through an absolute reliance on Him alone. The first step is a commitment that places and releases our plans into God’s hands. Secondly, through prayer we listen and obediently respond to His answers and watch Him work to make the plans work. Just like a garden will not grow without the sun that God provides, so our lives will not flourish without following God’s direction. We can be committed to growing a garden, but we need God’s work to bring the produce. We need to be personally committed to godly growth, but we also need God’s work to bring His produce in our life.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

Preserve Solid Faith

9/1/2024

1 Timothy 1:18-20
Broken windows, holes in the hull, plus a tilting deck. That is a simple description of various boats I have seen abandoned on the beach. I often wonder what they were like before they were left to rot in the sun and surf. What did they do or not do that led to their undesirable defeated demise? I can recall one boat that is a faded green and a dirty white laying unmoved, at an angle, in the tidal mud for years. A boat that was once valuable and useful is now nothing but wasted junk that clutters the beach. Lighthouses, maps and guides are all available to prevent shipwrecks. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need direction and guidance to navigate the often treacherous waters in our daily life. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul addresses Timothy regarding the issue of spiritual shipwrecks. He closes out this chapter by naming two men who wrecked their faith because they focused on other things rather than the Biblical truth of the gospel message (20). They rejected personal faith in God and thus blasphemed God through their life. These men were removed from positions of teaching and influence to be taught a lesson. The spiritual shipwreck was public and a visible warning for all. The collapse of faith is evident still today. What do we need to do to combat it? First, we need to be servants, like Timothy, who are committed to serving only God’s agenda in our personal life and church life. Second, we need to be like soldiers who fight for the truth of the gospel not personal preferences and legalistic concepts (19). Finally, we need to be like sailors and use the word of God to navigate life correctly, living as helpful examples of faith not harmful misdirectors. Only by faithfully following Jesus can we find purpose, power and direction to combat the treacherous waters of life.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

What is the Church?

1/28/2024

Matthew 16:13-20
“Throw the rocks into the woods and listen to the music they make… rock music!” We all groaned at the joke that our gym teacher had just made. It all started as the weather began to warm, the rocks began to show up and our Jr. High teacher who was also the track coach saw a need. The problem that needed to be addressed was that the gravel running track around the school was full of rocks that would cause tripping or twisted ankle hazards for the track team. His simple solution was to get each and every gym glass outside to throw rocks into the woods and thus clean the track for the runners. However, multiple rocks making multiple thuds is not music in any form. Yet, often we think of the church in that way. We look at what the church does and use that to define what the church is. The function of the church can never define the church. Instead the church finds its source in who God is as one who has a passion for people (Luke 19:10) and a desire for true worshipers (John 4:23-34). Out of that passion and purpose God created something new through the new promise given in the blood of Christ to create a new community of worshipers who are connected through belief in Christ and under the direction of the Spirit. A proper understanding of who God is leads to a correct definition of the church. This in turn directs the function of the church, one that has a passion to whole heartedly follow and worship God. In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus states that He will build His church (18). Many people have misapplied this passage to historical or present day people. Notice however that Jesus words are a reference to Himself and His action of building His church. Still today we struggle with the idea that our actions are what build a church. In doing so we define the church by what the church does rather than by who the church is founded on. It is just like saying that rocks make music. When we believe that our actions build the church that is not music to God’s ears… it is just a dull thud, like rocks falling in the woods.

For more see MATTHEW or QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

God's Character - Sovereignty

4/30/2023

Job 1:6-11
Have you noticed how much the automobile industry has changed lately? Just stop and compare the very first car that you can remember with the one that you use today. When I grew up there was no air conditioning, no power steering, no power windows, and the heater only worked for the front seat. Now we have all kinds of creature comforts and amenities to enjoy while driving. In spite of all the cameras and gizmos, we still have to drive the car. The driver, even though they do not understand all the technology, is the one that uses all the benefits of technology and engineering to direct the car down the road. To carry this analogy even further, God is sovereign, and in His sovereignty He controls the vehicle of our life and every life in the world. He does this out of His grace. In the book of Job we see God use His sovereignty to display His grace and power. God rules over the angels (6) establishing His purpose and will. In these verses we also see that God rules over Satan (6-11). Even today, we see and feel the influence of Satan, and forget the sovereign power of God over Satan. This passage reminds us, that God is sovereign in all of life, including even today. Like Job, we may not see or understand God’s power and work. However, God in His sovereignty is at work to bring about his purposes in and through our life, just as He was in Job’s life. You may feel like you are stuck with a broken down vehicle on the side of life’s highway. Remember that God is in control. In His sovereignty He knows what is going on. He will work to bring His blessing, if not now, then in the next life. Our job is to trust Him, rest in His grace, and follow Him faithfully like Job.

For more see JOB

The Disciple's Characteristic: Obsession

2/19/2023

1 Corinthians 6:9-12
Why do car manufacturers place the steering wheel in front of the driver? Why not in the back seat or the trunk? Why not let the passengers in the back seat have all the controls for the lights, the radio, the heat and the turn signal? The purpose is so the driver can focus and on the most important thing, driving. All the controls are centered within reach of the drivers seat so the driver can control every aspect of the car as it is directed down the road. Our lives are much like that of a car. We have been made for the purpose of being directed and moving. All of our emotional switches and character knobs exist to fine tune our operation and function as we move. The problem is that we think that we, as the car, do not need a driver. We need Christ in our lives as Savior and need to give Him operational control. We need Christ inside, not as a passenger, but as the driver. We need to allow Him to have the driver’s seat to take us where He wants us to go. Disciple’s of Christ will allow Christ to have full control of their lives. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-12, Paul writes to the Corinthian church, who had allowed the world and culture to influence their spiritual lives and relationship with God. This church struggled with allowing Christ to control every area of their lives even to the point of justifying and making excuses for sin (12). Paul says that the spiritual excuses are not beneficial for their spiritual lives. He closes the verse by stating, “I will not be controlled by anything.” Paul is stating that, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, his only desire is for Christ to control his life and be the source of his confidence and perspective. We must be obsessed with knowing Christ and allowing Him alone to drive our lives.

For more see 1 CORINTHIANS or DISCIPLESHIP

Purposeful Living in a Messed Up World

8/10/2022

Ecclesiastes
Birthdays are like an antique. After we get to a certain age it really does not make any difference. It is a bit like driving an old car. You know it is old because you have had it a long time and it rattles going down the road. The car is just worn out and falling apart, but all you need to do is replace a part here or there to it keep running. However, the difference between an old car and an antique car is when you try to slam the car door shut, the hubcap falls off. The car is so old and worn out that you can’t find parts to keep it running. That is when you look back through some old photos and reminisce about a time when it was new and created a family memory as you went on vacation. At some point we realize that fixing the old car is a meaningless process. Have you ever felt that way about life? It seems like you pursue the things you want, only to find them lacking in reward, value and longevity. Then you look around and see others chasing after the same things that are empty and unfulfilling. In the book of Ecclesiastes the author, Solomon, addresses the value and meaning of life. As the wisest man that ever lived Solomon reflects on his life and the life of others, only to find that that it is empty and meaningless on its own. From chapters 1-2, he notes his own experience of seeking wisdom, pleasure, accomplishment and hard work and finds it meaningless. Then in chapter 3-6 Solomon takes a look at his world and sees life’s unfairness and general emptiness. However, in spite all the gloom and futility, Solomon points out that true joy in life is found understanding that God views life differently than people do. As a result, we can enjoy life as a gift from God who provides purpose and meaning. Solomon concludes this book of wisdom in chapter 12 by challenging its readers to fear God and keep His commands. The other day I read through the book of Ecclesiastes and was reminded to trust God, even though life may seem futile and worthless in a messed up world. Not that not much has changed between Solomon’s day and ours. Our world may seem like a worthless mess, but God is reliable and He provides the purpose for living.