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Have you ever heard of someone referred to as an opportunist? This term is typically not intended as a compliment, but shouldn’t you admire those who are pro-active, taking risks and seizing opportunities? The term is more commonly used in contrast to those who hold values and act according to principles. But does one contradict the other? You can do both. You can respond to opportunities as they arise and still act in accordance with your principles. In fact, doing so can be one of your principles.

Do you think that those who are breathing are alive, and those who do not are not? Yet my word speaks of those who are dead in sin, or dead even while they live. Haven’t you encountered people who function in such a way that they seem dead inside? Life is found in connections and relationships. So do you find that those who are alienated and isolated seem in some sense to be lifeless? Let us be more hopeful and look at the other end of the spectrum. I promised my followers an abundant life. Do you see the connection between this and the promise for a multitude of brothers and sisters?

by Patti Virkler

I confess that I am one of those people who have been offended and put off by the expression “black lives matter.” Not because I disagreed with it in any way, but because to me, it was a statement of the obvious. Of course black lives matter; all lives matter. Jesus died for all mankind. In Him, there is no Jew or Greek nor male or female nor black or white. We are all one in the family of God. It seemed to me that to emphasize the value of one group stirs up negative feelings and brings needless division. I felt like that would be more racist than anything else I have ever said or done.

Then I was reminded of Luke 15.

Do you keep up with current events? You have a greater abundance of information available to you than ever before, but it still takes time and effort to stay informed of the latest news stories. Do you keep up with timeless, enduring truth? This also requires time and effort and takes a lifetime of searching, but there is one advantage to this investigation as opposed to keeping up with the news. Things that are considered to be of great importance in media coverage today quickly fade into insignificance, but timeless truth endures so significance does not diminish. It is always true.

While not as common today, many of our biblical heroes interacted with angels. For example, Daniel engaged various angels in visions by day and in dreams by night (Dan. 7–12). Similarly, Zechariah had a long-ranging conversation with “the angel who was speaking to him” that lasted no less than six full chapters (Zech. 1–6).

How receptive are the people you meet to the gospel message? It is not a difficult concept. Do you find that people respond to a simple explanation? How many times were you exposed to the gospel message before you responded to it? Have you found this to be the experience of your believing friends as well? Things of the spirit are spiritually discerned. They are incomprehensible to the unenlightened. I have given you my Great Commission to declare my message to every creature, for that is your part, and I am pleased when you do.

You know that it is wrong to engage in self-promotion. You have seen how unattractive this is in other people. Yet there is also a false humility that would like other people to be more enthusiastic about and more eager to advance your ideas than you are. What would be more validating to you than that? But this is not a reasonable expectation. Is there another alternative? Recognize that your ideas are from me. Then you can hold them with true humility and move them forward in my timing as you are led by the Spirit. In this case you are serving and promoting me rather than yourself.

On June 27, 2020, I heard a sermon about the creation that really stirred my heart.  Then during the night, I awoke to a strong wind blowing the curtain in the bedroom.  I got up to close the window and a prayer flooded into my spirit.  I grabbed a pad and paper and started writing.  I didn’t really hear the Lord as I usually do, but this prayer just flowed from my inner being.

What is your understanding of the flesh? This term generally has a negative connotation for believers based on the biblical distinction between flesh and spirit, and verses about the works of the flesh, and the statement that no good thing dwells in the flesh. But the same bible affirms that I came in the flesh. You call this the incarnation, literally being made as meat.

Do you find it easier to judge in the abstract than it is to judge people you know? If you hear a reliable account about the conduct of some stranger is it easy to conclude  they are guilty? What about people you know? Does your familiarity with them and their situation make you hesitant to offer judgment, since you know of their difficulties and extenuating circumstances? King David was eager to stand in judgment of a stranger until he realized that he was  the man. Are you familiar with how merciful, accepting, and forgiving I am? I know everyone better than they know themselves.