Focus on Eternity

        Today I discovered a new lesson in Matthew 10 that my eyes had never seen.   In this chapter, Jesus is sending the disciples out on a mission trip.   He is giving specific instructions.   I have always viewed this story as the disciple's responsibility to proclaim the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.   From this angle, the lesson looks like a to-do list.   The disciples were also told not to take any silver, gold, or copper for their money belts, pack extra belongings but to offer their peace as they enter a house.   It had never crossed my mind to consider that a significant part of the disciple's assignment was to purposefully be on the receiving end of hospitality.   They were to find worthy men and women to proclaim the gospel, not throwing their pearls before the swine.   The disciples were to observe the reception they received.   If they were welcomed wi...

     Riddle:  What do Joseph, Moses, Joshua, King David, John the Baptist, and Jesus have in common?  If you said they were all characters in the Bible, you get one point.  If you said they were all Israelites, you get another point, but if you said they all spent time in the wilderness before they fulfilled God's purpose for them, you are the winner.  That is the thought that began my journey into God's Word today.  We are in the wilderness as we navigate life.  Sometimes the wilderness produces suffering; sometimes the wilderness presents obstacles that we do not understand, but we can know as believers that what man intends for evil, God intends for good.      When I think about reading God's Word, I have the intention to change my mindset.  Do you?  Without some intentionality, our hearts will direct us to believe as man believes.  But God wants to chan...

         A friend of mine posted a cartoon clip on her Facebook® page entitled "Classic Sibling Rivalry." It was a timely comparison not only to my childhood, but it showed some similarities to the story I was reading from 1 Samuel 17 [commonly known as the story of David and Goliath.]   As I pondered the relationship between Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, and his younger brother David, I thought about my elder brother, whom I cherish.   Oh, how I wish we would share some laughs over the way we tormented one another without cause.   If you read this story thoroughly enough, you should be captivated by many unanswered questions.         Let me begin by sharing the cartoon (see below): If you grew up with siblings, you probably nod your head in agreement and probably feel like calling your mother to apologize.   Since I know my Mom will read this article, I will apologize publicly.   Stop snickering!...

        Today's article will concentrate on the first five verses of 1 Samuel 13.  As I read this Biblical account of Jonathan's battle, I found a strange curiosity arise, causing me to recognize that there were far deeper treasures buried within the content of this story that I might discover.  As we read Biblical accounts, we may be inclined to fill in the details with our imaginations rather than learn how to glean information from the content to produce a clearer picture of the story.  I will begin by looking at the first two verses.  The subheading located in my English Standard Version tells me that Saul is fighting against the Philistines.  We read, " Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel , Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest...