From the days of the Garden of Eden, our God has been at work to redeem a lost world back to Himself. His plan was already in motion. The plan was to send His Son to pay our debt. The plan was to then send out the followers of His Son to every corner of the globe to be witnesses of the Good News. He set in motion a mission to make a global impact that continues to this day. In doing so, He desires to work through men and women – MAGI – wise men and women who desire to be used by Him to Make A Global Impact. If we are to be those modern-day MAGI who journey on mission with the Master, we would do well to learn from our first century forerunners.

Have you ever been so caught up in what was going on in your life that you failed to keep your eyes on Jesus? And when you did come around to looking for Him it seemed like He was missing? If so, there are some lessons to be learned from Mary and Joseph.

Are you feeling like God has called you to do something that is way outside of your comfort zone? Do you find yourself in the midst of a situation that is far beyond your capability or understanding? Do you feel like God has just thrown you into the deep end of the pool? If so, you’re in good company. We see that occurring to men and women God used throughout the Bible. One of those was Joseph.

Have you ever been rejected by the very people you thought would stand by you no matter what? If so, you’re in good company! Imagine Jesus’s heartbreak when He returned to Nazareth and those He knew the best, rejected Him. Those He desired to bless the greatest, turned away from Him with great fury. What are the lessons we can learn from His journey back home?

The early followers of Jesus were fully devoted. But the thing that drew them together was not their devotion – it was the One to whom they were devoted! The church today has a lot of devoted followers. But i would contend that in too many instances our devotion has become misplaced. We have become fully devoted to aspects of our politics – or our culture. Our core beliefs have become more centered in our political or sociological orientation than in our theology. And our respective devotions have done more to divide us than unite us.

Do you find yourself in the midst of a situation that looks bleak? Are you at a place facing the unknown where you have more questions than answers? Is your situation causing you to be anxious or fearful? If so, you have a lot in common with Jesus’s closest followers.

There were two men there at the shore to meet Jesus and the disciples when they docked. The night before, when they got into the boat, Jesus had told them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” The disciples had no idea why they were going to the other side of the lake. They had no idea what Jesus’s purpose was or who they would encounter. But Jesus did! Nothing with Jesus is random! He doesn’t waste a moment … an experience … or an encounter. Nothing is inconsequential. That was true for the disciples … and it is equally true for us. We would do well to remember that truth.  If we follow the example of the disciples and keep following Him wherever He goes – we will be right where He wants us to be – in the midst of His activity – and His purpose!

What does it mean to be a “keeper of the light” – not when everything is going great – but when we are walking through tough times? Though we may need to endure for a little while, we do so with the promise of One who has walked where we are walking.

Are you at a crossroad in your journey? Are you needing wisdom to know which road to take? Are you considering which of the roads in front of you is the best one for you? The probability is that all of your options look pretty good. Let’s face it – if one of your options looks like it will lead to complete disaster, you’re probably not wasting much time considering it. So your quandary is probably over which of the “good” options in front of you is the best. If that’s the case, you would do well to follow the example of a woman by the name of Rahab.

i often receive comments or questions about why God didn’t intervene in a specific tragedy. If He is sovereign, why didn’t He keep that tragedy from occurring? The comments, in most instances, are from people crying out for an answer with a sincere and contrite heart. On occasion, it is pouring out from a heart that has become bitter and hardened by tragedy. Some have even gone so far as to conclude that since God didn’t act in the way we think He should have that He must not exist.