Disciples: How many times should I forgive those who sin against me?

Jesus: How many times do you want God to forgive you? It's a tough question as we wrestle with this powerful reality of the Kingdom of God!

Never Mind.

Ever changed your mind about something? It happens all the time. We think one thing, then read another article or watch a documentary and now we’ve changed our minds. In a day when we are never short on information, we long for truth that sets us on a course of true change.

Weeds.

Weeds are like a poison that causes damage to agricultural ventures. From lawns to crops in a field, weeds can suck away life sources and diminish the rerun growth. Jesus once used weeds as an illustration to describe the evil and suffering in our world and a poison that can go disguised as something good in our hearts. Jesus’ response to such weeds, might shock you.

Vitamin C. We all were created with an immune system that fights off infection, disease, and illness. Like adding in vitamin C to your daily routine helps you stay healthy and strong, adding in the routine of daily prayer adds the strength of God’s Spirit to our lives.

A wedding is something we celebrate. It’s a party, with the central figures being the bride and the groom. Today, weddings require much planning and preparation. Jesus once told a story centering around a wedding party to illustrate the importance of our preparation, priority, and possession of the Kingdom of God.

Heartbreak Kid. Pain and heartbreak are inevitable in life. Often the wounds from a family member or close friend become the hardest to overcome. Jesus tells a story about the sting of rejection, involving two sons and their dad. The father’s reactions in the story are amazing, as he pursues reconciliation and provides restoration. The father was bountiful with his grace, and that’s the truth about God in Heaven.

Did you know ear hair has an important role in your ability to hear? We have tiny microscopic hairs that are moved by incoming sound waves. Those hair movements send electrical signals to our brains. As we age, those hairs get worn down and become less sensitive. Like our ear hair, our hearts, when healthy, helps us to hear God’s voice too.

Life and faith can get complicated, but God wants us to thrive. The most misunderstood person in the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. Many people don’t know how to interact with the Holy Spirit or what His presence offers us. Jesus gives us all that we need to live a strong faith, and it accelerates when Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.

Taking the Plunge. Life and faith can get complicated. That is why there are two main sacraments or symbols Jesus initiated within the Church to communicate what following Him is all about. One of them is water baptism. And every follower of Jesus is commanded to take the plunge of water baptism.

Within every house, there are walls that are load-bearing. The same is true in God’s family house, the church. And while the church is not a building, it is a group of people assembled together in the name of Jesus. He is the load-bearing wall we can build our lives of faith around.