. . . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . . —1 Corinthians 1:2 In the spring, I had a vision of new steps in the back of our house. I had removed a deck a few years ago […]
The Place of Ministry
His disciples asked Him privately, ’Why could we not cast it out?’ ” (Mark 9:28). He said to them, ’This kind [of unclean spirit] can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting’ —Mark 9:29 The disciples had seen Him do it, the casting out […]
The Place of Humiliation
If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22 Today I spent in the valley. Last night I apparently didn’t close the freezer door completely and everything in it defrosted. You can only cook so much food in a couple […]
The Place of Exaltation
. . Jesus took . . . them up on a high mountain apart by themselves . . . —Mark 9:2 We are made for the valleys to serve there with the ones who need service. We are granted times on the mountaintop to […]
The Assigning of the Call
Bread and wine were the food staples in Jesus’ time. They’re pretty popular now. But here of no good if the wine is in an unopened bottle and the bread is an unbroken loaf. They become useful when poured out and broken. The image of […]
The Awareness of the Call
. . . for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! —1 Corinthians 9:16 The call of God has nothing to do with salvation and sanctification. It is a supernatural compulsion to service. For Paul, it […]
The "Go" of Unconditional Identification
Jesus . . . said to him, ’One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor . . . and come, take up the cross, and follow Me’ —Mark 10:21 Jesus is one with the Father. He came […]
The "Go" of Renunciation
Luke 9: 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” […]