Jesus and His disciples

Nov. 29, 2010:
Ten Qualities of a Servant Leader
“Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” (Matthew 8: 5-11)

According to Matthew, the roman centurion’s servant suffered from palsy, a medical condition marked by paralysis of one or more limbs and by uncontrollable shaking. The servant afflicted with this condition was unable to care for himself much less for his master; instead, the centurion had to care for his servant. They had reversed roles in a classic example of what management gurus called “servant leadership” - - stewardship, by another name.

In the business world, servant-leaders achieve extraordinary results by giving priority to the needs of others. They act as humble stewards of their organizations. The same thing holds true in the spiritual world where disciples achieve great things by serving Jesus, Others and Yourself, in that order. The result is best expressed in the acronym: J.O.Y. . . . Continue reading: "Qualities of a Servant-Leader"

Nov. 28, 2010:
We Can't Say That We Weren't Warned
“Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.” (Matthew 24: 37-44)

More than 125 Bible passages contain warnings; in fact, there are so many warnings they may lose some of their impact – like the government’s product recall warnings that often go unheeded. For example, in the recent past we have received 135 warnings about everything from eggs and peanut butter to ground beef and frozen vegetables. Yet, a survey by Rutgers University showed 22 percent of Americans believe food recalls aren’t serious enough to pay attention to and 12 percent of us have knowingly eaten recalled food. The survey revealed the respondent’s skepticism was often coupled with a belief that their own food was safe and that the warnings were meant for other people.

Just a guess, but I wonder if many people in Noah’s time thought there was nothing wrong with their lifestyle and that the warnings were meant for other people . . . Continue reading: "We Were Warned."

Nov. 24, 2010:
The Future Comes Soon Enough
"In your patience you shall win your souls." (Luke 21: 12-19)

During a violent thunderstorm, a mother tucked her small boy into bed then turned off the light.

"Mommy,” he asked with a tremor in his voice, ”will you sleep with me tonight?"  

The mother smiled, gave him a reassuring hug and said, "I can't  dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room."

Quick as a sniffle, the little boy said, "The big sissy."

We all face fears of one kind or another; some are real enough, but many are imaginary. We can spend our whole lives worrying about the future and things that may never come to pass. In effect, we can torment and persecute ourselves! For example, right now there are 104 books for sale on Amazon.com that deal with prophecy and some of them are bestsellers. Among the more popular apocalyptic titles are:

The Coming Economic Armageddon
The Day After the Dollar Crashes
What in the World is Going On?
Trickle Up Poverty
Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World
Epicenter 2.0: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future

As the authors of these books point out, these are worrisome times . . . Continue reading: "The Future Comes Soon Enough."

See what else Jesus said about the future:

• End Times Foretold: Matt. 24: 42-51
• Jesus Interprets the Times: Luke 12: 39-48
• The Warning Signs: Luke 12: 54-59
• Signs of the Times: Matt. 12: 38-42

Oct. 21, 2010:
The Thirteenth Apostle
“And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles . . .” (Luke 6: 12-16)

There is one apostle whose name is not mentioned in today’s Gospel and that is Matthias, the man who took the place of Judas Iscariot. His name appears only once in the canonical gospels and that is when he was chosen after the Lord’s ascension. He is the anonymous apostle.

The delay in appointing Matthias is a reminder to all of us that it is never too late to answer the call to follow Jesus. Whether it is a matter of days, month or years, we still have a choice to make and, in fact, we may have to make it more than once. Discipleship entails the ongoing, never-ending practice of humility, self-denial and service to others . . . Continue reading: "The Thirteenth Apostle."


Oct. 21, 2010:
Ignite Your World
“I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?” (Luke 12: 49-23)

Those were strong words coming from Jesus. How are we to reconcile them with the image we hold of Him as a loving, compassionate savior?

The first thought that may come to mind is the destructive power of fire as seen in the television news images of flames destroying family homes in California. But another type of firestorm is threatening to destroy the American home and it can be seen in a doubling of our divorce rate, and a tripling in the number of single parent households in just 30 years.

The best way to fight fire is with fire. You simply need a torchbearer to create a firebreak in the path of the oncoming flames. Someone like Jesus. Someone like you and me.

Throughout the scriptures, God appears in the form of fire . . . "Ignite Your World"

October 20, 2010:
A Spiritual Home Security System
“Know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.” (Luke 12: 39-48)

Jesus’ warning hit home when one of my relatives had his house burglarized in broad daylight. Concerned about my family's safety, I called a home security service. The salesman greeted me at the front door by saying, “Nice neighborhood. Safe for you . . . and safe for a burglar.”

“Safe for a burglar?” I asked, incredulously.

“Sure,” he said. “Burglars look for neighborhoods like this where people feel safe and secure. They leave their front doors unlocked; their garage doors up; a window ajar; their keys in the ignition. Easy pickings.”

No doubt about it,  Satan stalks the best of neighborhoods. And he doesn't even have to break in. In fact, unforced entries make up 25 percent of all home burglaries. The homeowners simply let down their guard and become inviting targets, their loss of cash, jewelry and other valuables compounded by the theft of their peace of mind.

Every home needs a spiritual home security system, too . . . "A Spiritual Home Security System."

See what else the Gospels says about the responsibilities of Parents:
October 11, 2010:
Why Jesus Performed Miracles
“ . . .behold, a greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11: 29-32)

The four Gospels record 35 specific miracles that Jesus performed during His ministry. Untold numbers of other signs and wonders were referenced in passing. For example, Matthew 4: 23 records that He healed “all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people.” Mark 6: 56 says, “they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.” And Luke 6: 19 reports that, “the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.” Yet, when Jesus expelled a demon from one mute man . . . "Why Jesus Performed Miracles."

See what else the Gospels says about Healing:


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Best Bible Verses on Stewardship
“Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.”
(Luke 6:30)

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
(Galatians 6:7)

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.”
(Proverbs 3:27)

“The righteous giveth and withholdeth not.”
(Proverbs 21:26)


Famous Quotes on Stewardship
“The ultimate expression of generosity is not in giving what you have, but in giving of who you are.”
(Johnnetta B. Cole)

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
(John F. Kennedy)

“Generosity is one of the essential components of mental health. We have found that generous people are rarely mentally ill.”
(Karl Menninger)

“It is in giving that we receive.”
(Saint Francis of Assisi)


For more Bible verses and quotes on any topic, click on Inspiring Quotes.

Gardening's Spiritu...
By Bob Larranaga

This devotional book from Spiritual Kindling can be previewed by simply clicking on the image above.
Daily Bible Blog
Devotions Based on the Lectionary for Weekdays and Sundays. Plus Guidance for Christian Living