JESUS FAITH and The Church

There's a haunting encounter in Matthew 19 that deserves our attention. A young man approaches Jesus with what seems like genuine spiritual hunger. He's followed all the rules, checked all the religious boxes, and lived what most would consider an exemplary life. Yet something gnaws at him—a sense that despite his outward obedience, he's missing something essential. "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" he asks. Jesus responds by listing the commandments, and the young man confidently replies that he's kept them all. Then comes the moment that changes everything: "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." The text tells us the young man went away sad because he had great wealth. The Thing We Won't Surrender It's easy to read this story and think it's simply about money. We might even feel a bit smug if our bank accounts aren...

  When we think of Ebenezer Scrooge, we typically associate him with misery, selfishness, and a general disdain for the joy of the Christmas season. We use his name as an insult, calling anyone who lacks holiday cheer a "Scrooge." But here's what we often miss: Scrooge didn't stay that way. His story isn't one of perpetual darkness—it's a story of radical transformation. Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" during a time when England had become blind to the needs of the poor. Social classes were deeply divided, and people had lost sight of what truly mattered. Through Scrooge's journey with the spirits, Dickens captured something profound: no one is beyond redemption. The miser became generous. The isolated man embraced family. The darkness gave way to light. This narrative mirrors one of the most dramatic transformations in Scripture—the story of Saul, who became Paul. When Your Past Doesn't Define Your Future Saul was a persecutor of C...

  There's something fascinating about how we remember people. We have a tendency to freeze individuals in time, particularly at their worst moments. We label them, categorize them, and often refuse to let them grow beyond the box we've placed them in. Consider the character of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' timeless tale. Written in 1843 during a dark period in England marked by poverty and social indifference, Scrooge was crafted as a mirror to society—a miserly, self-centered man who valued money over people and isolation over relationships. Yet here's the curious thing: even though Scrooge experiences a profound transformation by the story's end, becoming generous and compassionate, we still use his name as a label for negativity. When someone is grumpy or stingy, we call them a "Scrooge." We never reference the redeemed Scrooge—the man who woke up changed, who embraced generosity and love. We can't seem to let go of who he was. This reveals...

1. Your Presence Matters More Than Numbers While it’s easy to feel discouraged when attendance or growth stalls, the impact of faithful presence — loving your congregation, serving sacrificially, and pointing people to Christ — is eternally significant, even when unseen. The worth of your ministry isn’t measured by metrics alone.  2. God Grows What You Plant Faithfully Ministry isn’t about competition or “winning” against another church; it’s about obedience. God honors discipleship made with love, regardless of numerical results. Each life touched, encouraged, and comforted through you matters deeply to the heart of God. 3. Your Identity Is in Christ, Not in Performance When pastors feel pressure to “perform week after week,” it can make ministry feel like a stage. But your true identity is found in the Shepherd whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. Rest in God’s grace, not in your own performance.  4. Leaving Isn’t a Personal Rejection of You When p...