What would it be like to receive an invitation from God to a party, but turn it down because you had something better to do?  Jesus tells a story that exposes our excuses as a cover for different priorities.

Our sometimes ridiculous excuses are a way we minimize our sin.  But if we are always minimizing, we are never growing from it.  This message is a challenge to stop excusing and start killing our sin.

When God asks seemingly impossible things of us, he isn’t trying to set us up for failure, but lead us to obedience in his strength.  Moses had a hard time getting that (and most of us do to!).  We must learn to trust in God’s ability more than our sufficiency.

We think “if I had more, I’d give more.”  But the opposite if often the reality.  Paul reminds a young church that it is joy that fuels generosity, not wealth.

It’s easy for good drivers to be judgmental of those who have careless wrecks.  Jesus tells a story that challenges our hearts for those whose lives have gone off in the ditch.

Unfortunately accidents and disasters get our attention in ways that normal life doesn’t.  In fact, we may listen to voices we might have earlier ignored.  Paul is ignored when he warns about an upcoming disaster.  But the shipwreck gives him a platform to be a voice of hope.

A simple story about a shepherd and a sheep that wanders off is a powerful illustration Jesus uses to teach the heart of God.  It will also shape your heart.

It is not always easy to tell when our emotions have gone out of bounds and are wrecking our faith.  Elijah was a man of God, but it didn’t make him immune from struggling with this. God gently brings him back to a place of obedience.

In a surreal moment, Isaiah has an encounter with God that opens his eyes to the glory of God. That propelled him to say yes to God for whatever mission God had for him.  It might impact our desire to say yes as well.