Grains of Sand

Pixabay “ I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. ” (Matthew 18:18-20) I have recently come to look at this verse in a different way. In its context it applies to the process of reconciliation when there are issues between brothers and sisters in Christ. But here’s a slightly different take, courtesy of a course I recently took. What if two or three of us were to come together and covenant to join hands and hearts and minds in a journey of spiritual growth? What if we were to meet regularly with the sole intention of providing a safe environment where we could be encouraged by others as they stir us on toward knowing Christ at a deeper level, and be encouragers of the work of the Holy Spirit in o...

Pixabay “ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light .” (Matthew 11:29, 30) This, and the verse prior to it, are the gentlest of Gospel invitations in Scripture. We, as believers, are often accused of beating unbelievers over the head with hell and damnation and demonstrating a lack of compassion and understanding. That is sometimes true, even though a dose of hell and damnation is what some people need to recognize their need of Someone to rescue them from both of the above. But here in Matthew we have the message for those who have reached that point known as “the end of the rope.” They just can’t do “it” anymore, whatever “it” represents that they once thought would meet the heart cry of their souls. They have discovered that nothing, and no one, can satisfy and they are tired of the chase that leaves them aching and empty. And Jesus says: “ Come to me, all you wh...