Three Minute Thoughts

Jesus does a lot of things we're not expecting. One of those things is when he heals people he doesn't always do what they're expecting. In this case it's no different. Jesus heals people but from an illness they don't even know is a problem.

This is not a license to do evil. It's not a license to do wrong. Disclaimer over. Jesus does some powerful things and sometimes to accomplish those powerful things he needs to show that the way of the world isn't the way of God.

As Jesus finishes the sermon on the mount we see a few more examples of what a transformed life will actually look like. Can we tell people right from wrong? Do you really understand the golden rule? And why am I not getting what I asked for?

Jesus moves from the "not to's" and moves to the should dos. This means there are things we should be doing as followers of Jesus. But Jesus gives a pretty strong caution that's easy to miss.

Matthew includes a cool part of Jesus' life and teaching called the sermon on the mount. This chapter is the kick off for that very long and thorough teaching by Jesus. The point of this sermon is to set the world on its head.

Temptations are all around us. Eat a little more. Sleep in a little later. Just one more drink. Drive a little faster. Go with the crowd. Jesus shows us how to handle temptations of all sorts in this short lesson.

John the Baptist has a strange message about repentance. Turn from your wrongs and live a different kind of life to experience the Kingdom today.

So why was Herod so mean? Who were the wise men? Why does it matter?

James speaks a lot about prayer and actively doing the things of faith. Check it out.

Matthew's gospel is intentional in the way it is set up. We'll talk authorship and recipients in today's episode.

When we become the center of our own universe we tend to do things that are really not all that great. We can excuse just about any behavior when we are our own focus! So don't do that!

So the idea of licking your toes is pretty gross I get it. But think about how often we speak first and think second and thereby insert foot in mouth. The tongue has potential to do some pretty catastrophic harm. So watch it!

James is super practical. In today's chapter we see James reminding us that being a jerk is a bad idea and that integrity is pretty important. So no jerks and be real. That's pretty much the summary of James 2.

The bible is full of powerful words on prayer. James tells us to pray and have faith that not only God can but also that He will answer those things prayed in faith and according to his promises.

As Paul finishes his letter to the people of Galatia he reminds them who they are and how they should be treating one another. Some very practical advice for even us today.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. We have a ton of freedoms in our world but how we go about using those freedoms is a whole different story. Can you live in your freedom and still respect those around you? You better or you're not really living in freedom anymore!

Since the people receiving this letter seem to be not getting the whole works and faith illustration, Paul decides to change it up a bit. So he uses the imagery of slaves and sons. What's the difference? That's today's topic.

Paul is getting increasingly frustrated by the people who have learned from him yet are living a totally different way of life. They say they believe yet live like they don't. They think their good works are going to save them but yikes! Paul has something to say about that.

Galatians 2 shows what happens when two mature people have a disagreement. We can be on the same team and fighting for the same cause and have a civil disagreement. Novel idea I know!

As we start a new book of the Bible it's important to understand the basic structure and purpose that's what we'll do today.

Jesus is not only the author of our faith but also the one who perfects our faith.

There is a lot to be learned from those who have gone before us. What can you learn from these pillars of the faith?

A great section to think about today. It's time to get back together again.

The temple is a front and center topic in much of Old Testament talk, but what happens when Jesus comes on the scene? What happens to the temple then?