You can learn a lot about God from doing regular things like taking the trash out or watching TV. What does Cheers have to do with the will of God?
Continue readingWhat Cheers Taught Me About God
Jesus
Wasted Prayers
Severed Faith: Innie or Outie?
I’m a big fan of the show Severance. If you’re unfamiliar with it, maybe you’ve been living under a rock, or maybe you just don’t have Apple TV (considering Severance is pretty much the only reason to have it). It’s about a group of office workers using new technology that severs their consciousness.
Continue readingThe Opening of the Mouth: Ancient Idolatry vs. God’s Breath
Have you ever heard of the “Opening of the Mouth Ceremony?” I kind of hope not! Let’s have Habakkuk kick things off for us.
Continue readingBible Literacy: Read and Dig Deeper!
I’ve recently become very passionate about the idea of studying the Word and improving our Bible Literacy. The Bible has never been as accessible as it is right now, and we’ve never had as many resources to study as we do in our present age. Yet, many of us do not have a clear understanding of the Bible.
Continue readingThe Requirement of Humility
Knowledge of the Word is important for the everyday Christian. I’m passionate about pursuing Bible Literacy and gaining a true understanding of the words spoken through the text. However, an important reminder for you and myself is that it means nothing if we don’t apply it. It means even less if we lack humility and use our knowledge just to look smarter and holier.
Continue readingMeasures of Success
Caiaphas, by any measure, was a highly successful figure in ancient Biblical times. He served as the high priest of Israel for an extended period in the first century, one of the longest tenures imaginable in that era. He had strong political and governmental connections, and his family held influential positions. By worldly standards, he seemed to do everything right.
Continue reading3 Lessons We Can Learn From Light
Originally written for New Vision Church, I took a few pieces from my guest message and came up with 3 lessons from the topic of light. What are they?
Continue readingSpotlight Love
In this confusing and amazing life, there lies a truth that eludes us too often- love. Not just love, but the ability to truly accept love. We don’t know how to do that, at least not deep inside of our souls.
Continue readingDefusing Your Confusion
It is kind of funny how the disciples spent most of their time in the Bible confused. Time after time, we are seeing them wonder what Jesus means by certain actions or words.
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” John 16:16
Sounds a little repetitive does it not? It is kind of weird, but Jesus had to spell things out to the disciples and still sometimes had to deal with their lack of understanding.
At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” John 16:17-18
Have you ever been in a situation where someone told you something to do? Of course, you nodded in agreement, but then later realized you had no idea what they were talking about. I do that sometimes, especially if I ask someone to repeat themselves, but cannot bring myself to ask a second or third time. One of my favorite instances of this was when Jesus was on the mountaintop for His transfiguration.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. Mark 9:9-10
I can just imagine this whole scenario happening. Peter, James, and John just saw something amazing, even if they did not know what it was. They instantly agreed to the terms Jesus gave them. Maybe each of them assumed the other one knew what Jesus meant. They follow Him down the mountainside whispering to each other. “Wait, so when can we tell people? Rising from the dead? What does that even mean? What did we just see?”
It is easy to feel like the disciples when we have to make an important decision. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything in life was clearly spelled out for us? Imagine if every single action was clearly defined as the exact thing that God wanted us to do. It would make decisions about jobs, schools or relationships so much easier.
There is beauty in life’s decisions. Because even in our mistakes, God sees them coming and still doesn’t leave. (TWEET THIS) God understands confusion. He gets it. Confusion in life is not necessarily a bad thing. It is often God putting us through something we do not understand so that we can understand something else. Confusion in our decisions or spirituality can reveal new things to us that God wants us to perceive.
Take your time in your confusion and seek God. In the midst of bemusement, you can find what God meant.
What situations in your life are causing confusion?
What are you doing to fix it?
What can you do differently this week?
Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, My life is sometimes crazy. I’m in a state of chaos, but like the disciples, I don’t know what either of us are doing. You are faithful and all-knowing. Please focus my heart and soul and take away the confusion. Reveal the things I need to hear and deepen my trust in You. You know the choices I have and the ones I should pick. Lead me into the clear, so I can better understand. In Your precious name, Amen.
Watchmysign 