Recent news accounts about this “crisis” in the newer generations when it comes to being active in their faith has everyone scrambling for explanations.
Besides the fact that surveys always depend on how you ask the question and what the questions are, and how the questions are understood, there is someone else who might have a differing opinion on all of this…His initials are H.S.
“…The crowd is trying to force Jesus’ hand. Make him king so he can lead them on a military campaign against the Romans. That’s not God’s plan and Jesus will have none of it.“You guys have to leave now!”The disciples get in the boat and take off and Jesus faces the crowd alone. They leave. Danger is avoided, at least for the moment…”When Jesus faces the challenges of his life, he goes deep.
When he walks on water, he is letting us, we are not alone.
It is shocking that one of the greatest health risks in our country today is totally flying under the radar. Mental and physical health. From childhood obesity to depression, there is one thing that could make a major difference.Relax and listen…
Psalm 26:1 (MEV)
Judge me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity.
I have trusted in the Lord;
I will not slip.
King David messes up a lot. Great passion that is misdirected into sin. When this same passion works for God, he’s on fire in a good way…
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. (Psalm 25:12 NIV)
To fear the Lord is like fearing electricity. Amazingly powerful and helpful, but scary none the less.
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
“Those who dwell within” means God owns me…I am so glad he treats me like his beloved son…
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
Yes, there is such a place. On the road to Jerusalem. Here is a picture I took.
Don’t want to be there without my Shepherd…
We all remember the first words from Psalm 22:
My, God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Jesus cries out on the cross. But, what we don’t often realize is he is remembering a psalm he must have sung countless times, and the end is glorious. Testifying to the greatness of God to countless generations, the last words speak of completion and triumph.
Psalm 22:31
They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
Yes, he has…
Psalm 21:4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.
This is from a Psalm of David concerning the king of Israel.
The true king, Jesus, asks for this life that he may continue to reveal God to the world through us.
John 17:25-26
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Thank you, Jesus!
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Chariots and horses of biblical times are the fighter jets, drones, tanks, and Humvee’s of today. Violence and the threat of violence as our ultimate security is not how God designed us to live. These will always let us down in the end. The only thing that can change a violence-fueled world is confidently acting in the ways of God. Modeling Jesus when it comes to facing threat and violence. Forgiveness and and not seeking revenge.
