The Plumbline

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. (Mark 6:7-9 MSG) If you are anything like me, you probably launch into a new hobby with gusto, thinking you have to have all the gadgets offered. I bought a Cricut machine, then blades, etchers, storage stuff, mats, vinyls, and the list could go on. I use almost the same few things each time I pull the machine out. Most of the gadgets have been used on a few occasions, but not to the extent of the very basic ones that came with the machine! In much the same manner, we go into this walk with Jesus thinking we need all kinds of 'gadgets' to make us successful in our time with him. In actuality, we need a Bible, a pen, and a notebook at most. The rest comes on our knees, in times of listenin...

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left. (Matthew 19:13-15) Those who came to Jesus for his help sometimes had quite a difficult 'approach' to him. Whether we look at the heart of the parent toward the child who desperately needed healing, the people of status humbling themselves to seek the help they cannot find anywhere else, or the tenacity of friends willing to lay it all on the line for a friend, we see one common theme - they came without concern for the distance for the challenge of reaching him, called out to him for help, and cared enough about the need of the one they petitioned him to meet that they were willing to lay it all on the line. We need this kind of faith in approaching Jesus, my friends! The child...