I’m grateful to see that Logos Bible Software has just released my Colossians and Philemon for Pastors on their platform. You can access it here.
Here is an article I recently contributed to the 1:9 Alliance: The Path of Transformation.
I trust you will find it helpful.
“… Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”(Luke 8:38b-39 )
I see what you did there, Luke. Nice!
As Jesus marched toward Jerusalem, where His sufferings and death awaited, He fielded the prayers of two different parties. Following the submission of their request, He asked them each the same question.
James and John, two of His closest disciples, submitted their request to Him. “And [Jesus] said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking’” (Mark 10:36-38a).
Then, a short time later, a blind man made his request. “Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well’” (vv.51-52a).
Notice the similarities and the differences in these two obviously parallel encounters. Twice Jesus was asked to do something. Once by James and John; once by a blind man. To both He asked: “What do you want me to do for you?” James and John requested greatness and honor. The blind man asked for his sight to be restored. Jesus denied James and John their request. He granted the blind man’s request. James and John’s request created a divide among Jesus’ followers (v.41) and drew out a repetition of Jesus’ previous teaching on greatness and servanthood (vv.42-45; cf. 9:33-35; 10:31). The blind man’s request resulted in his joining Jesus’ disciples in walking with Jesus (v.52b).
What point was the Holy Spirit, through Mark, making? At least this: It is infinitely better to see than to be seen!
This is my prayer: Lord Jesus, I do not ask you to make me great but that you give me eyes to see and ears to hear. I ask that you give me the grace to know you and to walk with you and your people. Amen.
I’m excited to announce the release of Living in Calm Confidence: The Promise of Psalm 16. This brief book is the fruit of years of prayer, meditating on God’s Word, and waiting on Him. My prayer is that it will be a source of strength and peace to many.
It is available in paperback from the publisher, Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes and Nobel, and more.
It is available for free download on Kindle/eBook:
It is available in audio-book for free at Youtube, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Within the week it should be available also on Audible.
Three questions for you:
- Would you be willing to purchase and/or download a copy and prayerfully read it?
- Would you share this with friends by word of mouth and social media?
- Would you give it a rating (and maybe even a review) on Amazon or Goodreads?
However you access the book, may its title become the reality of your own life in Christ!