Archive for June 2021

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Jesus, * NEW JOYThis “full joy” comes when the hunger of our soul is met through our restored relationship with the Father through Jesus and His Life again flows into us through…

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” Jesus* Sometimes we miss a powerful truth because we complicate a simple concept. The “abiding” that Jesus spoke of **might be an example. So How…

Would you agree that the purpose of the Church is to be the visible Body of Christ in the world?  That is, that representing Jesus and His passion for the souls of men, and being vessels through whom His Life naturally flows to others, is what we are to be about? And would you agree…

This is for all, but especially for my friends in distant places. Many have become Facebook Friends or have Followed my posts since I last reminded you of free resources on my web site, at www.john2031.com/site_map_inspiration.html. Most documents are available as a printable pdf, a WORD document, and an html, and you may download, print,…

STRANGERS NO MOREWell, we did it! Last Sunday evening seven gathered in our condo living room as the Body of Christ. The Church. Hours flew by in what seemed like minutes. Two were formerly strangers to Elaine and me, and none of the others had met before. We were, within minutes, “as one” as God’s…

“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.” Matthew nine, ten kjv IS THERE – –Is there something inside of you that wants to dine with Jesus like the publicans and sinners did? To just be…

How could Jesus call Matthew, a corrupt tax-collector, to be His disciple? Or others with personality handicaps that would make them unfit to represent many of our fine churches? Like impetuous Peter for example. And why did He choose a woman from the red-light district as a special friend? Didn’t He know her history and…

We are “being the Church” when we come alongside our brothers and sisters in need. It’s simply the flow of the Life of Jesus from us to others. Elaine and I were planning to make some chicken-noodle soup for a FB friend who has major health issues. We’ve been touched by her pain, her persistent…

I recently read the genealogy of Christ in Matthew One and was reminded of His messy lineage. Wow! One might think that Creator God would have orchestrated a sequence of exemplary, law-abiding, and morally pure citizens through whom the Messiah would come. People whom He could feel honored to claim as His own – –…

If a pastor or elder asked, “Ken, what do you really expect of us?”, I’d say, “Jesus expects you to shepherd the flock.” That’s simpler when you don’t prioritize managing an institution. In addition to giving regular care, a good shepherd will be alert for wolves and will have a plan to protect the sheep…