Category Archives: seeking understanding

Today I’m traveling from Croatia to Serbia to preach in a morning service, then back to Croatia to meet with a church team and then preach in their church which meets in the afternoon. Here’s the first map…

But this path takes priority:

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Each day after filling the bird feeders, birdwatching can commence. Then a helpful reminder…

“And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”” (Luke‬ ‭13:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

It’s interesting that a modern synonym for leaven, in addition to yeast, is ‘influence’.

With this tidbit, let’s substitute ‘workplace’ or ‘neighborhood’ or ‘school’ for flour.

“It is like the influence that a woman had in her workplace until it was all influenced.”

So that everyone in the workplace knew of her influence.

Which provokes the question: what kind of influence?

This we ask ourselves: Am I known as a disciple of Jesus? If so, am I known for love or judgement? Am I known as one who cares for or accuses?

These might be helpful questions to begin your next disciple making conversation.

The common verb in Jesus’ commands is ‘love’, seek love.

After being told by young Samuel of the plan of God to punish the sins of his own sons, Eli responds:

“It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

That, friends, is a healthy response to the will of God, which often is not the same as my will. May I glorify God when it hurts.