Life in Exile

Jesus uses a vivid illustration to remind us that there are some who are not ready to listen to the good news of the kingdom of God. Let him deal with those as you focus on the ones with hearts prepared to receive.

God's power is never simply revealed to prove his power, but to reveal his compassion and mercy. 

When you're struggling in service go back to the verses God used to speak to you in your missions journey. He will speak through them yet again, and when he does, take note.

Judging others without first taking a hard look at ourselves will always come back to bite us. We're better off leaving judgement to God.

Do you have questions about God? Lost your faith in the Church or Christianity? Take your complaints to the One who is ready to hear and respond instead of looking for answers in all the wrong places.

How will a new generation of workers go out to the harvest fields if they never hear about missions? What are you doing in your family and church to insure children learn about missions? It's never to late to start.

Jesus knows that it's the little things that trip us up with worry, that's why he drew illustrations from birds and wildflowers when telling us to nip it in the bud. Seeking God's Kingdom and righteousness was the way to go and still is.

When we surrender to the lies that destroy our value as human beings, we become puppets in the hands of an evil master. How do you get free? Know Christ, the Truth who sets you free.

Faith in Christ cannot help but lead to a song of praise. The beauty of the worship of the nations is that our songs are unique to the way God created us. Celebrate that today.

Food and clothes are part of life, but Jesus reminds us that they are not to be the focus of our life. How are you doing with that? 

How many times do we miss God speaking by skimming over familiar passages, not digging deep in his Word, or not reading it at all? Don't negate taking time to listen for a new thing God might be saying through his Word.

Laughter is good for the soul. Be willing to laugh at yourself in service and find outlets for stress through fun activities or reading. 

Serving God is rewarding, but not always in the way the world might expect. We don't serve for earthly reward but for heavenly ones to come. Where is your treasure? That's where your heart will be.

Can pain be a good thing? It can when we allow God to use it to create empathy, compassion, and care for those who are suffering, drawing them to the God of all compassion.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but the longer we serve, the more often we have to say it. Here are a few tips on how to ease the blow by his grace.

It's very hard to put a puzzle together when the pieces are all dark. Life is hard to figure out in the dark as well. We need the Light of the World.

Jesus has a way of turning even commonly held concepts upside down. Fasting done in secret looks a lot different from that in public. Only one is pleasing to God.

Advent began with the Fall. We see it partially completed in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, but it will ultimately be complete by his return and final victory over sin and death.

Sometimes the hardest places to live bring the greatest lessons and reasons for thankfulness. Here are a few of my reasons to be thankful.

Prayer doesn't require big words, but it does require a big commitment of laying self at the feet of Jesus. Still, we can do it, because Jesus showed us how.

If the only evidence a person had of the reality of God was your life, would they believe? Let others see Jesus in you.

Living and serving two years in Ivory Coast taught me so much about God, myself, other cultures, and life on mission. I just want to express my thanks to Him for the blessings.

Not only should we do good in secret but pray in secret. What's that all about? Jesus knows it's about keeping pride at bay.

The changing of seasons are a constant reminder of the reality of death but also the presence of life. We must choose how to face each season with purpose and anticipation of what God will choose to do in and through us.

What you choose to take overseas inevitably looks a lot different from what you bring back. Listening and asking questions will help you find a balance as you go.