Studies have debunked some previously held beliefs about the human brain. One such mistaken belief is that we only use 10 percent of our brains and that the rest of our noggin is like an uncharted cranial wasteland. Not true.  As God comes close to us and we come close to God we may obtain divine wisdom. It then has a role in correcting the mistakes we make by relying too much on human wisdom. How do we live in the world and not be of the world? We need to stick with the wisdom from above. 

Based On James 3:1-12 we hear him share words about out tongue and our words. If we're going to be the kind of people who use words wisely, then we've got to first cultivate an inner life that sees everyone as a friend created in God's image. We need a vision of life that doesn't put us at the center of the universe, but rather centers on God and God's purposes. The God who spoke the word of creation and sent the Word to become flesh in his own Son, urges us to choose the kind of words that reflect his character, life and love.

Based on Mark 7:24-37

We don’t have a word for the experience of traveling to a far location for peace and quiet, only to run into someone who insists on consuming large portions of our time. Yet, even in this circumstance, Jesus had a reputation as being someone who did “everything well.” This needs to be our reputation as well.

Based on James 1:17-27. Got a problem you need to fix? YouTube it! Chances are, someone out there has recorded a video that will give you step-by-step instruction on solving the issue. Doesn’t matter whether it’s a home repair or an opossum that needs massaging (yes, that’s a thing). In this week’s text, James teaches In a culture where there is plenty of social upheaval, we must see the opportunity to be shining stars that reflect God’s glory rather than lash out in fear or join in the culture’s calamity. We shine most brightly when we are doing the Word of God in a way that causes others to see us and want to be instructed in how to do the same.

Before 2020, few people outside the health care community knew anything about personal protective equipment (PPE). That changed quickly. Most medical professional think of PPE in terms of five categories: eyes and face, hands, body, respiratory system, and ears or hearing. This provides the rubric for a discussion of Ephesians 6:10-20, where the apostle Paul itemizes the types of PPE needed to prevail against spiritual forces in heavenly places.

A TV commercial for foot fungus is likely to feature paid actors, not actual customers. But many companies — like Dove, Bumble, Chevrolet and eHarmony — find real people to champion their products or websites. Frankly, they are just more believable than actors. Psalm 111 is a promo for God, coming in at fewer than 200 words, and it’s written by a real person, not a paid actor. After you share Praise the Lord, what is your testimony about who God is?

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 The way we talk reveals how committed we are as Christians. Positive, upbuilding talk is a counterweight to the kinds of “evil talk” outlined in Ephesians. It has nothing to do with accent or grammar, and everything to do with how we use the God-given gift of speech as a strong and grateful response to the forgiveness and grace we have received from Jesus Christ.

John 6:24-35 True belief in Jesus requires acting as the body of Christ. This means we can provide the bread of life to others through faith and works, adaptability, and building durable and nutritious relationships in a hungry world. Jesus wants us to be good food for those in need.

John 6:1-21 What’s your favorite food? What’s the food you could eat once a day for the rest of your life, if you had to? Curious crowds of people following Jesus are invited to sit for a surprise meal, and they all eat their fill. And there are still plenty of leftovers! This is a vision of the priorities and nature of a loving, generous God who desires to provide for the needs of His children. 

In Mark 6:1-13 Jesus gives the disciples a directive on how to pack as they are sent out to get the message out about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. How do you travel? What do you need to leave behind in order to share the Good news of Jesus Christ?