Can Jesus Relate?

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Arrow

Sometimes I’m afraid we picture Jesus on His throne in heaven seated next to the Heavenly Father and think, “How can He possibly relate to what I’m going through?”

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Remember, Jesus was God in the flesh. He experienced all the things humans experience. Joy, pain, laughter, grief, exhaustion, anger, injustice, and more.

Was Jesus ever frustrated? Let’s see.

In Matthew, Jesus vents to His disciples with, “You of little faith, . . . Do you still not understand?” (Matthew 16:8-9a). Or how about when His inner circle of disciples kept falling asleep when Jesus asked them to watch and pray the night of His arrest?

Think how the crowds and religious leaders responded to Jesus’ miracles and teachings. He was criticized, cut down, and called names. The teachers of the law said Jesus was “possessed by Beelzebub”, the prince of demons (Mark 3:22). The hypocritical Pharisees tried to correct and trap Jesus as they wrongly interpreted God’s Word. Even His own family said, “He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21b).

And with all the evidence of Jesus’ miracles among the masses, the healings, multiplying of food, and raising the dead, most still did not believe!

Yes. Jesus can relate to us.

Hebrews 4:15 portrays Jesus this way: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

Be assured that in our struggles, Jesus can relate. He has compassion and can empathize with us. Therefore, He is the One we turn to for peace and comfort in the midst of chaos. After all, He turned chaos into creation! (Genesis 1)

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Stay the Course

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Arrow

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again. I love fishing! Over the years, we have found “our spot” to catch fish.

The problem is “our spot” can be windy at times. The goal to stay in “our spot” can be difficult to maintain. The anchors provided in the rental boat are not very heavy and even with both anchors down, we can slowly be blown across the lake.

The same thing happens in our spiritual life. The goal of staying on course is challenging. Temptations come to blow us off track. We give in to peer or worldly pressures. Priorities get out of whack.

Time to remind ourselves again about our goal. John 14:21 says, “The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and reveal myself to him” (CSB).

When I’m sitting in that boat, focused on my line, it may take a while before I notice I have drifted away from my spot. There I sit, no fish biting, not catching anything. No reward! When I finally look up and look around, I see why. I am off course.

How do we stay the course in our spiritual lives? First, we need to be in God’s Word. The Bible is “our spot” to find daily bread, food that feeds our soul and provides direction or redirection when we get off course.

We also need fellow believers who will point out when we are off track. We need to be plugged into a church, a body of believers, and meet with them regularly.

Finally, we need to be talking to and listening to our heavenly Father, whose Spirit will lead us.

And what a reward! To be led and loved by the Father!

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Do What You Do

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Arrow

It is wonderful to see God’s people stepping up and meeting a need in an area in which they have been especially gifted. Our church recently had a family worship night in which the kids and their leaders led us in the songs they sing in children’s worship. To see those passionate adults jumping with joy with the kiddos was a treat!

Some people flourish in behind-the-scenes service. Some are gifted to lead large groups. Others one-on-one or small groups.

The church, or body of Christ, needs everyone. Without you, some need remains unmet. The apostle Paul wrote, “[S]o in Christ we who are many form one body . . . We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:5-6a). Then Paul provides a partial list of gifts: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing or giving to those in need, leading, and showing mercy.

In another letter to the churches, Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). He mentions a few more gifts: workers of miracles and healings, those able to help others, administering, and speaking in tongues. And this is still not a complete list. There are many ways to serve in the church.

To identify your giftedness, ask, what am I passionate about? Is there a way I can use my talent in serving the Lord? What need do I see within my local church that is not being met? Sometimes God opens our eyes to a need that no one else sees.

Pray about it. Try out an area in which you can serve and go from there. Simply put, do what you do.

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Afraid, Yet Joyful

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Arrow

Afraid . . . yet joyful. Who would this describe? A newly engaged couple? A mom-to-be? A student, on their first day of school? You, at a new job?

This unique blend of descriptors is actually found in Matthew 28:8. “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”

The backdrop was the Sunday after Jesus’ crucifixion. Some of Jesus’ female followers went to the tomb to anoint His body with spices as was the custom. Imagine their surprise seeing the stone blocking the entrance moved aside and hearing an angel!

After the typical angel greeting, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:5), they were given four directives. “Come and see the place where [Jesus] lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:6b-7a).

Come. See. Go. Tell.

And the women did. They cautiously came closer and peeked into the tomb. No Jesus. It didn’t make sense. They couldn’t comprehend the whole “risen from the dead” piece but still, the ladies took steps to do what the angel instructed.

In fact, Mark records “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb” too afraid to speak to anyone until they reached the disciples (Mark 16:8).

Then when those fearful, yet joyful, women shared the angel’s news, the disciples did not believe them.

But the gals had done what they’d been told to do. Even as they were filled with fear, questions, and doubts. They came. They saw. They went. And they told. (Note, they were not responsible for how others responded to the news.)

May we follow their example, not allowing fear, questions, and doubts to prevent us from celebrating and sharing the Good News. Jesus is alive!

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God Is Present and Working

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Arrow

I was enjoying my early morning walk. All was quiet. A few clouds reflected the sun that would soon peak over the horizon. A beautiful sight.

Then I noticed what was missing. For the last few mornings, I could see the waning sliver of a moon smiling down on me. But not today.

I knew I could not see the moon because my view was blocked by clouds. It wasn’t that the moon had disappeared. No, the moon was most assuredly present. Just not within my view . . . at that moment.

This was a great reminder. God, like the moon that morning, was and is present. When I can’t see evidence of God active in my life, it doesn’t mean He is not present or not working.

That’s what faith is all about, right? I like to pair these verses:

  • “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). We believe one hundred percent in God, His Presence, His love, and His sovereignty or ruling power over creation.
  • “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). We go to the Father in prayer because we believe that He exists and blesses those who follow His will.

Before my morning was over, the moon slid into sight. Of course, it had been there all along.

Likewise, be assured, my friend. God is present and He is working. One of these days, He will reveal what He has been doing in our life and we will be confident that He has been there all along, weaving together just the right details.

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On Duty

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Arrow

The phrase “on duty” may conjure up images of police officers and medical workers, or, if you have a swimming pool, it may describe your designated lifeguard.

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In John 18, we find “the girl on duty”, one of whom I had never paid much attention.

The scene occurs after Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. Jesus’ disciple, John, was allowed in the courtyard. Peter, however, was forced to wait outside until John “…came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in” (John 18:16b).

She is also referred to as “the girl at the door” (John 18:17) and a servant.  

Apparently, her “duty” was to watch the entrance to the high priest’s courtyard. She would have been aware of who was coming and going. Perhaps, she even saw a bound Jesus brought in by the temple guard.

Then she saw Peter and asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” (John 18:17). We know Peter’s response becomes the first of his three denials of knowing Jesus.

But, what can me observe about “the girl on duty”?

  • First, she was there, “on duty”, doing what she was expected to do.
  • Being “on duty” brought her blessing. She may have seen Jesus, the Messiah, and was at the location of where His religious trials took place.
  • She saw and spoke with Peter, thus becoming part of a prophecy spoken by Jesus Himself regarding Peter’s denials (John 13:38).

What can we learn from this girl?

Like her, may we be “on duty”, doing the work God has called us to do and using the gifts and resources He has blessed us with. We never know how God will use us to move His plans forward.

For progress and joy in the faith,

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How Stubborn Can We Be?!

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Arrow

It is nearly impossible to make someone do something! Whether they are 2, 12, or 92. We can try to sweet talk, reason with, bribe, and threaten them. But if their mind is made up, forget about it!

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This reminds me of the majority of religious leaders in Jesus’ day. They heard Jesus’ teachings and would have been aware of or witnessed His miracles.

But Jesus did not fit into their preconceived mold of what the Messiah would teach or do. They refused to believe He came from God

For example, in John 11, we find Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, sick and his sisters desperately sending word to Jesus. By the time Jesus and His disciples arrive, Lazarus has been dead for four days. All hope is gone.

Then Jesus arrives . . . with power and a plan! He makes His way to Laz’s tomb. The stone sealing the entrance is moved. Jesus prays and then shouts, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43).

And . . . wait for it . . . “The dead man came out” (John 11:44a).

The results? Many put their faith in Jesus. But most religious leaders refuse to believe the evidence and eyewitness accounts. Instead, they plot how to permanently get rid of Jesus.

Jesus had previously pointed out the religious leaders’ problem, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). What a sad state!

This reminds me of the need to evaluate our thinking. Do we refuse to believe the evidence in front of us? Do we read God’s Word in search for truth and take it to heart or stubbornly ignore what it says?

Let’s do a heart check and ask the Lord. He will let us know.

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The Progression of Belief

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Arrow

Progress comes in all forms. As a teacher, it was delightful to see my young students grow from non-readers to fluent readers.

Today, let’s follow the progression of belief of a man born blind.

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The story occurs as Jesus travels near Jerusalem. After Jesus heals the man, others who had witnessed the man’s blindness demanded an explanation.

“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see’” (John 9:11). At that point, the healed man knew Jesus only as a man.

Next, the man born blind was brought to religious leaders for questioning. “’What have you to say about [Jesus]?’ . . . The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’” (John 9:17)

Perhaps coming to terms with his miracle, the man gave Jesus the highest designation he could imagine, a prophet.

Later, the religious leaders grill the man born blind again, demanding details. The man innocently answered, “Do you want to become his disciples, too?” (John 9:27). By now, the man perhaps assumed Jesus was a teacher or rabbi with disciples and/or he decided he would also be a disciple or follower.

The man’s reasoning progressed, and he testified that Jesus must be from God since he could now see. (John 9:33)

Later, the man saw Jesus again and Jesus clarified that He was the “Son of Man”, a Messianic title. “Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him” (John 9:38).

That’s the best progression ever! From being blind to seeing clearly, both physically and spiritually, from unbelief to belief! The best part is, when we come to belief in Jesus, the transformation process begins!

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There’s a World That Needs Saving!

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Arrow

I attended the Charlie Kirk memorial on Sunday. What a moving and inspirational time! Masses of believers gathered, worshiping the Lord and celebrating the life of a young man who dedicated His life to what God called Him to do. Charlie’s schedule of being on task from 5:00AM to 11:00PM gives a glimpse of how he accomplished so much in his short lifetime.

One of the take-aways for me was this line attributed to Charlie: “There’s a world that needs saving!” A beautiful succinct summary of what our work on earth is all about. A needy world surrounds us. People need to see the love of the gospel lived out. They need to hear the Good News of salvation explained in a way and with language they can understand.

The Kirk service was more than a funeral. It was a call to arms, a revival, a wake-up call, and hopefully, a real “turning point”.

May the following Scriptures light a fire under us, motivating us to do the work we believers have been called to do.

“Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58b).

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20a).

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works I me” (Colossians 1:28-29).

We don’t know when we will take our last breath or when our neighbors, family, and friends will take theirs. May we share the message of salvation lovingly and boldly in order to, as Charlie would say, “make heaven crowded.”

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Hate or Healthy Disagreement

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Arrow

In today’s climate, we hear a lot about hate, hate crimes, and hate speech. But I feel a lot of things get thrown into the “hate” category that don’t belong.

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For instance, voicing a difference of opinion about something is completely normal. I regularly think differently than my spouse, kids, friends, peers, co-workers, and even complete strangers.

I bet you do too. Having contrasting views and beliefs is typical, and it sure doesn’t mean I hate the individual or group for not thinking like me.

One key characteristic that separates people from animals is our mind. Humans have the unique capacity to reason, analyze, and critique at high intellectual levels. We can communicate deep emotions and strongly held opinions. We can discuss and debate. If we choose, we can also listen.

But just because someone disagrees with us or communicates attitudes and beliefs that do not align with ours does NOT mean we cry “hate speech” or “hate map” or “hate crime”.

Many, many people disagreed with Jesus, and He disagreed with them. Yet, the response He exemplified was not one of hatred or violence. He boldly spoke truth and called it like He saw it, but He never endorsed harming another person.

Jesus replaced the hyperbolic Old Testament verse “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” with a new teaching: Turn the other cheek. (Matthew 5:38-39)

And when He mentioned the old adage “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy”, He turned the world upside-down setting the new precedent: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

Simply, Jesus instructed us to love. Who? Everyone. May we use self-control, and speak and demonstrate love.

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