Then the Lord called Samuel.Samuel answered, Here I am. And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me. But Eli said, I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 1 Samuel 3:4–5, NIV. Samuel, at this moment, did not know the voice of…
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Matthew 18:1. This question that the disciples posed indicates to readers that they still had a lot to learn about what it truly means to be a minister. They were caught…
“A dispute also arose among them [the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (Luke 22:24, ESV) Ambition. Egos. Competition. Power. Pride. It happens. We’ve seen it, but we would hardly expect to find it among the Lord’s disciples, those closest to Him. Yet,…
“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.” (Acts 6:3, ESV) After the Day of Pentecost, the early church experienced a time of rapid growth. And growth can cause growing pains. Acts 6…
John 13:3-5 NLT “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began…
“For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Today many people will celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday where flowers, chocolates, and special dates show love. Some Latin American countries call it the Day of Love and Friendship. In the Philippines it is a popular…
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35, NKJV). The twelve disciples of Jesus were a mix of backgrounds and personalities. Under other circumstances, it’s quite possible some of…