The Well

Ambition

During this season of COVID 19 we have some time to reflect on the course of our lives, where we are and where we're going.  Yet it's also a time for many of us to make plans for how to "get ahead" when the national emergency passes.  Using the story of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) as our scripture for this podcast, we'll explore the ambitions of the crowd versus Jesus' ambition for the crowd.

What will be the story you tell?

As we continue to live in uncertain days (aren't they all?!), many are finding themselves held captive by fear, or even anger.  In Revelation 1 John writes about being set free by Christ, and thus being called a "Kingdom of Priests."  This podcast features the two images, prisoner and priest, discusses the mindset of both, and asks which we will be during the great virus of 2020.  Once this has passed, each of us will have a story to tell...will we tell of being a prisoner or a priest?

An Extraordinary Week

Last week was unlike any other I can remember in my lifetime.  As we see the country and our individual lives interrupted by the very real threat of the Corona Virus, I'm wondering what impact this will have on our relationship with God and each other.  In this podcast we'll look at John 15, and consider what it might look like for you and me to "bear much fruit" in the coming days and weeks.

Distracted

Many of us would agree that we live in a distracted world; we find ourselves almost constantly battling against becoming distracted by anything by various forms of technology.  We get that.  But here's what we'll talk about in this podcast: why do we allow ourselves, or even prefer, to be distracted.  In an unusual take on John 8, you'll be invited to consider how Jesus dealt with those who were, "Unable to hear what I say."

What I Missed Yesterday

Yesterday I took a Sunday away from teaching, leading, or even attending a worship service. Toward the end of the day I spent a few minutes reflecting on what I missed in the morning. Of course the obvious and main thing I missed was the opportunity to encounter, praise and worship the Living God in the fellowship of other believers. But other thoughts, maybe not so obvious, came to mind.  Some of those thoughts are included on this podcast; and will could provide insights for church leaders, as well as those who are merely contemplating becoming engaged in Christian community.

Spreading our "challenges" out before the Lord

2 Kings 19 records the encounter between two Kings - Hezekiah and Sennacherib.  Hezekiah, King over God's people, is facing Sennacherib's massive army that is ready to destroy Jerusalem. Considering that Hezekiah has an army about 1/10th the size of Sennacherib's; the odds are stacked against God's people (again!). In this podcast we'll look at how Hezekiah approached this "challenge" in prayer, and consider what God might be teaching us about how to face the challenges of our lives.

"Wrestling" with God

There's not a soul around who doesn't have his/her struggles.  However, what often compounds these struggles in the fact that we're taken it to God in prayer...and still struggle.  In this podcast we'll ponder the story of Jacob "wrestling" with God (Genesis 32).  We'll explore some insights about prayer, and the notion of "wrestling" with God.

"Why Pray to a Sovereign God?"

Many of us often feel moved to pray, but then find ourselves wondering, "Does prayer really move God?  Does it change anything?  If God has a will and plan, why bother to even pray?"  If you've ever had such questions, this podcast will hopefully help in your journey of understanding the nature and purpose of prayer.  Using the story of Moses' prayer on Mt. Sinai found in Exodus 32, we'll look at three central affirmations that we can make regarding our questions about prayer.

 

Music by Purple Planet

Mindset

There is an inspiring lesson we learn from Paul regarding the way we use our "gifts, power and position"; found in Philippians 2.  He encouraged the church in that Roman colony to adopt the "mindset Of Christ", in other words - to share His attitude about about ourselves and others.  In this podcast we'll explore what it means to leverage what we have been given by God, not for our own advancement, but the advancement of others.

"Christianity will wither in 2020" Wash. Times 12/30/19

The title of this podcast (rant!) is from an article that I found to be both challenging and inspiring.  There's no shortage of folks who are predicting the demise of the (Big "C") Church in America, and the data can be found to support that claim.  However, I go back to Matthew 16, and Jesus' promise that the gates of Hades will not overcome His Ekklesia/Church.  Of course it goes without saying we that just because Christianity is "withering" in America doesn't mean that it's dying worldwide; to the contrary it is flourishing in other parts of the globe.  This week let's talk about why His Ekklesia is still vital to the development of our spiritual fruit and gifts.  

Key passages for this devotional are:  Mathew 16: 15-18, Ephesians 3: 6 and Hebrews 10:25.