© 2024 Rod Long. All Rights Reserved. Unsplash. Used by permission.

“Familiarity breeds contempt,” so the adage claims. I suggest a parallel truism. Familiarity breeds inattentiveness. I’ll illustrate with a familiar incident in the life of Jesus, one we have read and heard countless times, commonly referred to as “the rich, young ruler.” What Must I Do?” And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must…

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© 2023 Randy Faith. All Rights Reserved. Unsplash. Used by permission.

One of the best-known verses in the New Testament teaches us that it is by grace we are saved through faith, and not of works so none may boast.1 Less emphasized is the fact that Paul also spoke of a man’s works, and how each will be rewarded or not rewarded on the basis of that…

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© 2017 Aenigmatis-3D Rights Reserved. Pixabay Used by Permission.

My first year in full-time ministry, I worked with a small church in Ruston, Louisiana. I still recall one Sunday morning, walking into the church building and overhearing a lively discussion going on in one of the adult classrooms. With a loud slap of his hand on the table, a frustrated man shouted, “Dammit! I’m…

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© 2023 Quino Al. All Rights Reserved. Unsplash. Used by permission.

Darlene Zschech, the noted worship leader for Hillsong Church in Sydney Australia, tells a memorable story about a gentleman who encountered one of her worship leaders, Steve McPherson, at the airport. She relates how the man excitedly informed Steve that he was a great singer, that he was going to start coming to Hillsong Church,…

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