Does being poor in spirit mean thinking that you're not worth much? If so, how can that be blessed?

Jesus knew it was time to step forward and begin his ministry when he received the word of John's imprisonment.

How do you know it's time when something is stirring in your own soul?

For Paul, the Lord's table was meant to be a gathering that reflected the values of God's kingdom.

How are we doing?

God promised the children of Israel just enough provision for each day. Some of them had a hard time trusting that.

What about us?

After all of the miracles of liberation, Israel still thrown a first class pity party.

What God does next is pretty surprising.

Ministers have prayed for God to give victory to football teams.

Maybe that's not the deepest prayer we can pray.

Gov Felix was fascinated by Paul and made sure that even in prison, Paul was treated well.

And yet, he just kept missing the point.

Sometimes we have to quit talking about faith and get busy living it.

Sometimes we pray earnestly for healing, for resolution, for something to be different.

And nothing changes.

What do we do then?

It's not fair what happens in this story.

Thank goodness.

The boy did everything wrong. He was selfish, and foolish, and made really bad choices. Yet his daddy couldn't wait for him to come home.

Some days it seems we do everything wrong. Sometimes we're selfish and foolish, and we make really bad choices. And yet, God waits on the porch for us.

It's going to be time for a party.

For us.