Celtic Preacher

Money is not the problem for most of us, Jesus teaches. Greed is the problem and we can be unaware of it. When we lack contentment and always want just a little bit more, when we spend our time and energy pursuing more, chances are, greed is urging us forward.   Today we look at Jesus' wisdom on money and possessions in the Parable of the Rich Fool. Pod 139 Luke 12:13-21

Have you ever wondered if your prayers make any difference? Today, we look at Jesus' advice when he is asked by a student, "Teach us how to pray."  If we look at prayer as a way to guide God into acting, Jesus' corrects our understanding and reminds us God doesn't need help knowing what we need. Prayer isn't about encouraging God to do anything. Prayer is for our benefit, not God's. Luke 11 Pod 138 

Jesus uses life's daily irritations in his students' lives to encourage them to step into a new way of relating to people and each other. We can forget we have a choice, especially when certain situations, circumstances, and people ruffle our feathers. The text is Luke 10. Podcast 137

Chances are, you don't need a teaching or a parable telling you that God desires you to love and care for people. We already know this, but do we know what to do when we can't love someone? Rather than rationalize and make excuses for ourselves, Jesus teaches another way to live when love is beyond us. 

Just like our emotional lives, our spiritual lives are not static. There are many highs and lows in our relationship with God. God does not change, but we certainly do. There are times when you wonder if you have lost your faith altogether. Jesus addresses this phenomenon in the Parable of the Sower. Text Matthew 13     Podcast 135

It's bound to happen. There will come a time when you are rejected, misunderstood, or criticized. How do you deal with that? Will you react with anger and hostility, or will you respond by staying on track? It's easy to be derailed by the wrong people. Jesus teaches James and John and us a better way to respond when people come against us or don't understand us at all. Podcast 134 

A part of spiritual maturity is learning to speak the truth even if people disagree and criticize you. It's not easy because sometimes it's easier not to get involved. Today, we look at the life of the first followers of Jesus, who model for us a courageous boldness when speaking out truths that need to be said. The text is Act 2. The day is Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came in a new and visible way to the believers. Podcast 132

Yes, my life might be a drop in the ocean, but Jesus says, "Your life is a world changer, Oh and by the way, it's really not all up to you; It's the Holy Spirit that changes your life; those around you, your circumstances, and the world."  Don't get bogged down by asking the wrong questions. The first task is learning how to wait. The text is the Book of Acts 1: 1-11, commonly known as  The Ascension text. Pod 130