Author name: Tom Stuart

One parable we all misinterpreted

3 Comments / Prayer, Relationship with God /

I say to you, although he will not get up and give them to him because he is his friend, because of his shamelessness, at any rate, he will rise and give him as many as he wants. (Luke 11:8)

Here is something to think about. What if the manner in which we have been interpreting this passage of Scripture is wrong? What if we have all missed the point Jesus was really making in this parable about a midnight request for bread from a neighbor? As a teacher of the Word of God, I am embarrassed to admit that I may have missed this one completely. And sadly, so may have every other teacher I have ever heard teach on this parable.

The key to the parable is the word shamelessness.

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The key to a thankful heart

Overcoming /

We are a forgetful people. That is why the last thing Jesus did before His death was to institute communion. He invited us to practice it regularly so that as often as we would do it, we would remember Him and what He has done for us. To truly do something in remembrance means more than a mental ascent, it can move a person into the experiential dimension of the thing remembered. And here is the secret Jesus knew. Such remembrance inspires thanksgiving and thanksgiving to God has transforming power.

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3 ways to navigate through trying times

1 Comment / Overcoming /

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

These well known verses are probably the best advice ever given for dealing with trials and difficulties. They contain three tried and true crisis management principles that have helped people through the ages navigate trying times.

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God’s higher math

Relationship with God /

God’s math is higher than our math. In God’s economy if you want to multiply something you must first divide it and if you want to add something you must first subtract from it. It makes us scratch our heads and wonder how it works, but it just does. Consider the way in which Jesus fed the 5000 starting with just five loaves and two fishes. We are told that He divided them among the multitude and they all ate and were satisfied. When the disciples collected the leftovers, miraculously they had multiplied into twelve baskets full of bread and fish. (Mark 6:41-44) Go figure. How did He do that? The little boy who gave his lunch away ended up with a staggering return on his investment.

Walking with God requires faith and the ways of faith defy logic. (Habakkuk 2:4) God’s higher math applies to time. Think about the Sabbath principle. God created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established the seventh day as a day of rest. He then commanded His creation to incorporate a Sabbath rest in giving a day to Him, into the rhythm of our lives as well. When the demands of work and projects overwhelm us, the temptation is to skip the resting part and our time with God.

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