Please read Luke 24:13-35. Has there ever been something you didn’t understand and figured out later?  This encounter on the road to Emmaus focuses on that light bulb moment.  As two men walked and talked, digesting the events that took place…they unpacked a lot.  This walk-and-talk idea can be helpful to us too.  While the dust kicked up and the sun shifted, Jesus came from behind, eventually walking along with them. We know that they were also kept from recognizing him.  Wh

Please read John 20:19-31.  When we think about the disciples certain ones come to mind as do their traits, Thomas was the doubter.  He struggled to believe.  It seems to me that almost every big thought embraces some doubt.  Yes, Thomas doubted, but is that such a bad thing?  He wanted physical proof.  We know all too well the expression, “Seeing is believing” and maybe there’s something good in that. As we know, every word of Scripture is meaningful, so this doubt had a pur

Before we dig into Matthew 28:1-10 I want to address two recent questions.    Concerned, someone asked me, why are there differences in the gospels?  I responded because each is being reported by a different person.  I posit that their training, education, audience and background impacted their perspective, and ultimately their narrative.  If each account were verbatim, I would wonder why?  It would seem practiced.  Friends, the differences do not negate what happened that re

Please read Matthew 21:1-11.  Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The people were counting on His leadership to deliver them from the Roman Empire’s domination.  They were eager – full of anticipation, seeking freedom from oppression.  As prophesized, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey (see Zechariah 9:9).  Here we find Jesus, King of kings, full of humility, walking alongside the crowds, making the humblest of entries.  The huge ne

To trust God, we need to believe in the reliability, truth, ability and strength of God.  When life goes well, trust is easy; when it’s hard we are challenged.  Reading John 11, we learn that Lazarus was sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send an urgent message for Jesus’ help.  Jesus arrived four days after Lazarus passed away.  When He finally showed up, we hear pain--there is a little blame, some disappointment, and a lot of grief and…then…a tremendous amount of faith.  C

Please read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.   Samuel was the last judge and first prophet of Israel.  Like other nations, Israel wanted a king.  So directed by God, Samuel appointed Saul the first king.  Beginning with promise, Saul came to exhibit persistent disobedience to God’s commands.   Saul appeared to be the whole package, but he looked to people for affirmation instead of God and eventually lost the kingdom.  What some failed to acknowledge, God was, is and will always be in contr

Please turn to John 4:5-30; 39-42.  Did you noticed that verse 4, reads Jesus had to go to Samaria?  This was uncommon as most choose to avoid Samaritans.  Jesus needed to go to the well and have this interaction with an unnamed, marginalized, outcast.  Who, other than Jesus, would have expected her to become a difference maker?  We, each of us, are created for a purpose and on purpose.  We need to be aware of the opportunities presented and trust God’s plan for our lives.  

Please read John 3:1-17.  There was a law in Rome (which at the time of Jesus consumed three continents) that read, no person could hold meetings at night.  Dark streets were a perfect environment for criminals and gangs to conduct suspicious activities.  It was by night, educated, influential Nicodemus sought time with Jesus. Nicodemus, one who strictly followed the Torah and was trained to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, professed to know that Jesus was a teacher who

Please read Matthew 4:1-11.  Satan is an excellent fisherman. He is knowledgeable – intuitively aware of the prey he is planning to lure in.  He is incredibly patient – waiting for the precise time to pounce.  He is super adaptable –to ensure the optimum experience; he is watching, with hyperfocus, the conditions to make very calculated decisions.  Satan invests time in fishing for men and women – studying our characters, looking for weaknesses, searching for areas to penetra