My Thoughts and Reflections

As we draw near to the end of the Easter season we also draw near to the end of a season filled with joyful praise and worship. It is a season full of joy-filled praise and worship because we’re intentionally celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Christ’s death and his resurrection, we wouldn’t have the forgiveness of our sins that we have or live with the hope of resurrection that comes to us through him. So what comes next? After Easter comes the season of Pentecost, marking the beginning of the church when the disciples of Jesus Christ received the Holy Spirit and began spreading the good news of the gospel throughout the world. During Pentecost, we see a shift in our focus. We turn from a focused celebration of the resurrection to a focus on joining the first disciples in Christ's mission to spread the news about Jesus to those who have not yet heard and accepted the gospel. We focus on working with the Holy Spirit to grow the kingdo...

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV1984) Happy Halloween! Happy Reformation Day! Happy All Hallows Eve! Today is the day of the year that many choose to celebrate evil, death, devils, witches, and many other abhorrent things and ideas while others celebrate the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg. Today is also the eve of the day that the church celebrates the lives of all...

“Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.  Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.””  – Matthew 28:18-20 (CEB) It has been a common misconception in the church today that evangelism is meant to be left for the “professionals,” i.e., pastors, missionaries, and professional evangelists.  What a sad misconception!  This command recorded at the end of Matthew’s gospel is Jesus’ last command to his disciples.  At that time, those who were present at Jesus' ascension were the church.  Therefore, Christ’s command wasn’t just for those who are in church ministry, but for the entire church!  Did you notice Jesus saying to, “go and make disciples?”  He isn’t just intere...