Month: May 2025

Equipped

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

I don’t know about you all but I feel like I am always in preparation mode. As a parent, spouse, teacher, business owner, you name it, I am preparing and planning. Preparing to start the day, throughout the day, and in ending the day. It is an integral part of every single day of my life.

When I was an athlete, I had to train. Conditioning, technique, and strength training were all essential. My diet had to be fine tuned, I watched tape to see what I could fix, and would go to camps and tournaments out of season so I could be successful. As a teacher, I have to prepare lessons, gather materials, assess learning, reflect on student performance, plan and replan to make sure the students receive a quality education. But there is another role, the most essential role of my life, that I need to prepare for even more.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Teaching and sports are great things, but they aren’t THE thing. We are God’s workmanship, His children, His image-bearers. Just as we prepare for tasks in our daily lives, God calls us to be ready for every good work He sets before us..that He’s already prepared for us.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We keep our eyes on the prize (knowing Jesus and making Him known) and we don’t go about it aimlessly. Our spiritual life should reflect the intentionality and dedication that athletes at the highest level would dedicate to their trade. Let’s take a look at the training regiment.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. The Source of Our Equipping: God’s Word

“All Scripture is breathed out by God”

Scripture is inspired by God, making it divine in origin and purpose. It is trustworthy, authoritative, and sufficient for our spiritual growth. The Bible is the most factually based book in world history. No other book in history claiming to be God’s word even comes close to matching these facts.

1. Written by 40 men over a period of 1500 years and ALL subjects, prophecies, and evidence agrees.

2. It was written in three very different languages by people who lived on three different continents.

3. The authors of the Bible lived in very different time periods, very different places, and had different occupations but ALL focused on God’s redemption of mankind.

4. Over 300 prophecies were about Jesus, made hundreds of years before he was born, and He fulfilled ALL of them exactly how they said it would happen. The odds of a single person fulfilling just eight messianic prophecies are estimated to be one in 100 quadrillion.

5. Hundreds of other non-messianic prophecies have been made and fulfilled just as the bible said. They were fulfilled exactly to the day and exactly how they were predicted and they occurred sometimes hundreds of years after they were made.

Just as a carpenter relies on tools for precision, we rely on God’s Word to shape our worldview, guide us in decision making, and know how to be in relationship with God and others. Spend time in the Word daily—it’s not optional but essential for being equipped. We should be meditating on it, memorizing it, praying through it, and speaking.

2. The Purpose of God’s Word: To Shape Us

“Profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness”

Teaching: Helps us understand who God is, who we are, and His will for us.

Reproof and Correction: Reproof means to convicts us of sin and then provides the correction that redirects us to the right path. It is a mirror into the soul. Like Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Training in Righteousness: Helps us grow in godly character and holiness. So much of the world gets their ideas of righteousness, or right living, from the culture or their own emotions. Even a lot of believers who interpret God’s will through their own emotions. That’s a pitfall from a lack of wisdom that can only come through knowing God’s word.

A sculptor chisels away excess stone to reveal a masterpiece. In the same way, God’s Word refines us. The more we know God’s word the more we should be changed by it. Let the Word challenge and transform you. Like Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Don’t just read it—let it read you.

3. The Result of Being Shaped by God’s Word: Readiness for Good Works

“That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (the greek word is anthropos which means human or person of God, not man specifically)

God doesn’t just call us to good works; He equips us for them through His Word. The good works we are called to include acts of service, evangelism, generosity, and godly living. The Bible doesn’t just tell us to talk about God but do so boldly, not just to love but to love sacrificially, not just to give but to give generously and without asking for anything in return, not just to serve but to do so selflessly never drawing attention to yourself. It helps us endure hardships, be patient in trying times, hopeful in our outlook, and joyful in our spirit. To be a light, a city set on a hill.

Look for opportunities in your daily life to do good. Be ready when God opens a door. Better yet, look for the open doors, seek out the opportunities, don’t just wait for a clear “sign”. Training narrows our focus. It removes distractions that can derail us from achieving our goal. That’s exactly how we need to approach the mission God has for all of our lives. We clutter our vision (and we do so willingly if we’re honest). Remember Ephesians 2:10, God has already prepared our good works. You ever wonder how many we miss?

4. The Call to Action: Commit to Being Equipped

So where does this leave us? Just like with sports, careers, parenting, or anything else that requires training and preparation, we are all at different stages in our faith journey. But we can, and should, evaluate our time and how it’s spent. To what extent are we being intentional in applying God’s Word to situations in life? Do we pray for readiness and sensitivity to God’s leading. Do we actively look for ways to love, serve, give, and share the gospel every day. Wherever you are in your faith journey, I invite you to train harder. We can all pray more, serve more, love more, give more, empathize more, share the gospel more, meditate on God’s word more, worship more. Not to earn anything, that price has already been paid, but to better live out what you were designed and created to be…an image-bearer. The light that shines from us will only be as bright as the light we allow in us. You were made for a purpose and God has an abundant life planned for you. We just have to choose it.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

This is the Way part two

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

This is the second iteration in the series on living out our faith as a believer in Jesus, who is the Way. If you missed the first one be sure to check it out from last week. Let’s see where the Way takes us today.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

In a world that often pushes us to put ourselves first, Romans 12:10 invites us into a radically different way of living—one marked by devotion and honor. It’s not just about being nice. It’s about building relationships rooted in genuine care and selfless respect.

Be Devoted to One Another in Love

The word devoted carries the idea of family-level commitment. It’s not surface-level kindness—it’s deep, consistent, and loyal. Paul is telling the church that our love for each other should look like the kind of love we see in strong, healthy families: the kind that sticks through hard times, forgives quickly, and serves without keeping score.

This type of devotion reflects God’s love for us. It’s not based on feelings, convenience, or getting something in return. It’s an active choice to love others—especially those in the body of Christ—with compassion and dedication.

Honor One Another Above Yourselves

To honor someone means to value them, to treat them as important. And Paul goes a step further: we’re to put others above ourselves. This doesn’t mean we think less of ourselves—it means we lift others up.

Imagine what would happen if every relationship was built on honoring the other person first—marriages, friendships, churches, teams. There would be less fighting, less pride, more listening, and more joy.

Paul is calling believers to a culture of humility. In a me-first world, he challenges us to be you-first people.

Living It Out

Here are a few ways to live Romans 12:10 in your daily life:

Encourage someone who may feel overlooked. Celebrate others’ wins instead of feeling jealous. Offer your time or help, even when it’s inconvenient. Speak kindly and respectfully, especially when you disagree. Pray for someone you struggle to love well.

Romans 12:10 is a simple verse with powerful truth. It reminds us that love is not just a feeling—it’s a choice to be committed to others and to honor them above ourselves. When we live this way, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who loved us completely and humbly served others.

Peace, and the deep love of Christ be with you.

This is the Way part one

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

This is part one in a series about living put the “way.” Early Christians were consistently referred to as followers of the Way. This refers directly to Jesus, the Christ, and the manor of life that He both demonstrated through His life and directs to this day.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

In just a few words, Romans 12:9 delivers a powerful challenge: love with sincerity, reject evil, and hold tightly to the good. It’s simple, yet deeply transformative if we truly live it out.

What Does It Mean to Love Sincerely?

To love sincerely means to care for others without pretending. It’s not about fake smiles or saying the right things while harboring resentment. Paul is calling us to a love that comes from the heart—a love that mirrors Christ’s own. It’s a love that shows up in kindness, honesty, forgiveness, and action.

Sincere love doesn’t pick favorites. It’s not based on what we can get from others. It’s a choice to value people because they are made in God’s image.

Hate What Is Evil

Love and goodness go hand-in-hand. That’s why Paul also says to hate what is evil. We’re not called to hate people, but we should hate the things that harm others—like injustice, lies, cruelty, and selfishness. Sincere love isn’t passive. It stands up for what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Cling to What Is Good

The word “cling” in Greek means to stick like glue. When the world feels messy or confusing, Paul urges us to hold fast to what is good—truth, mercy, patience, and grace. These are not just nice ideas; they are powerful tools in loving others the way Jesus loves us.

Think about your relationships—family, coworkers, church, neighbors. Are you loving sincerely, or just going through the motions? Do you speak truth in love, or avoid hard conversations to keep the peace? Are you clinging to good, even when it’s hard?

This verse calls us back to the heart of the Christian life: genuine love. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Peace, purity, and sincerity in Christ brothers and sisters.

Learning From Unsung Heroes

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Our faith should create in us a courage, a strength that is unwavering in the face of so many of life’s trials. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” I would like to look at three stories from the Bible that exemplify a courageous faith.

#1 Jehoiada (ye ho yaw da) and Jehosheba (ye ho shaw ba)- the princess and the priest who saved a king (2 Kings 11:4-17) (also 2 Chron 22-24)

Jehosheba as a member of the royal family, saw the evil plot unfolding and acted to save Joash (yo rash). Jehoiada was a high priest during that dark time in Judah’s history, when Queen Athaliah, obviously an ruthless woman from the line of Ahab, had seized the throne and murdered the royal family to secure her power.

Both Jehoiada and Jehosheba, acting with bold faith and wisdom, hid Joash, the rightful heir to the throne, in the temple for six years, protecting him from Athaliah’s murderous purge.

In the seventh year, Jehoiada revealed Joash to the captains of the guard and hatched a strategic coup. He divided up the divisions and combined both group going iff duty for the sabbath and the group coming on duty for the sabbath to guard the future king and surround the house of the Lord. And things couldn’t have worked out better. The queen tried to stop the anointing from happening but it eventually costs her life.

The plan played out beautifully. But going to the captains of the guard could have gone very differently. This plan could have backfired at the cost of everyone’s lives who were involved in the plot. But God honored the faith and courage of Jehosheba and Jehoiada.

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada…

2 Chronicles 24:2

Corrie ten Boom is quoted as saying, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Jehosheba’s and Jehoiada’s courage was not loud or flashy, it was steadfast, wise, and grounded in God’s promises. They show us what it’s like to trust God especially when everything looks dim and uncertain. Their lives remind us that spiritual courage often means standing firm when no one else will, protecting the vulnerable, and restoring truth in times of darkness.

#2 Shiprah (shi frah) and Puah – midwives who defied the Pharaoh (Exodus 1:15-21)

They defied the Most Powerful Man on Earth. Pharaoh’s command was clear, but Shiphrah and Puah feared God more than Pharaoh. They refused to murder the Hebrew boys, risking their lives.

In addition to that, they stood up without weapons or position. These were ordinary women with no political power or military force. Their only strength was moral conviction and reverence for God. 

Charles Spurgeon said, “The Christian should be bold as a lion. That confidence is born not of self, but of God.” These women had confidence, not in who they were but in who God is. That can empower the lowliest of people and that is what the power of Christ is meant to do in each of our lives.

Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Exodus 1:21

Their reverence and courage were noticed and honored by God, who blessed them personally and used their defiance to help preserve Israel’s future leading to the birth of Moses, their deliverer.

#3 Baruch – the man who gave us Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:4-32)

He Wrote God’s Words at Great Risk. In Jeremiah 36, Baruch wrote down the prophetic warnings from Jeremiah messages of judgment against Judah and read them publicly at the temple, knowing it could cost him his freedom or life.

Baruch goes on to reads the scroll in the presence of large crowds. One of the officials hears it and goes to tell the others. This group of officials invite Baruch to read it to them. Upon hearing the word, the officials tell Baruch and Jeremiah to hide while they take the words to the king. As the king hears the scroll he cuts pieces off and throws them into the fire. Then the king sought the two of them but God hid them.

Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.

Jeremiah 36:32

He Did Not Abandon God’s Message, Even When the King Burned It. When King Jehoiakim burned the scroll in fury, God told Jeremiah to write it again. And Baruch did it all over again faithfully and without hesitation.

He Faced Threats and Personal Disillusionment. In Jeremiah 45, Baruch is distressed, saying, “Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain.” He was discouraged, fearful, and overwhelmed. But God didn’t rebuke him harshly. Instead, God promised to preserve his life and reminded him not to seek great things for himself, but to stay faithful in the midst of judgment.

Do not seek great things for yourself. Seek them not. For I will bring disaster… but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.

Jeremiah 45:5

Three things that we can all learn from these individuals are

1- Courage can look like quiet obedience.

2- God honors those who stand firm even when hope seems lost.

3- Faithfulness is more valuable than recognition.

Mary Slesser, a missionary in Africa, faced intense opposition when she tried to protect vulnerable women and children from harmful cultural practices. Mary Slessor (1848-1915) was a Scottish missionary known for her fearless work in Calabar (modern-day Nigeria). Slessor ventured deep into areas considered too dangerous for Europeans. She lived among tribes, endured diseases like malaria, and often intervened in tribal disputes, saving lives. Her faith compelled her to rescue and adopt abandoned twins, raise dozens of orphans, and advocate for the rights of women and children. She often put her own life at risk to protect them. One evening, she heard the screams of a woman tied to stakes, about to be scalded with boiling oil for feeding a starving slave. Without hesitation, Mary ran to the scene and placed herself between the woman and her attacker. Her courage saved the woman’s life and led to lasting change in the community. Her impact continues today in Nigeria, where she’s remembered as a heroine. Schools, hospitals, and churches bear her name. Today, Nigeria is a predominantly Christian nation with over 100 million Christians.

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV

Peace and courage in Christ brothers and sisters.

Don’t Believe God Speaks?

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

I know that there are plenty of doubters and skeptics out there. You, dear reader, may be one of them. But I am here to tell you, God is still in the business of speaking to His children.

Last night, I had a nightmare. Not just one of those weird bad dreams where you’re being chased by something and none of it makes any sense. No, this dream contained among two of the worst things that could happened. They must have been born out of deep unconscious fears that decided to rear their ugly heads. This was one of those dreams you wake from in a panic. With heart rate accelerated, you scramble to get your bearings and snap back to reality. And there I was, a little after 6am on a Sunday when I’m supposed to be sleeping in. Wide awake and reeling. So, after a minute or two, I I take a deep breath and begin to pray.

Lord God, help me to know truth and to relinquish my fears to you. Calm my unnerved heart. Forgive me for all my sins or thought, words, or deeds. Cleanse me inside and out. Help me to find rest in you and to be renewed.

As I pray, my heart is calming a bit. But oddly, I have this overwhelming urge to grab my phone. I resist because I think it’s just a distraction from my prayer time. But the urge grows. So I pause and pick up the phone on my bedside. Recently, I have paused notifications from 10 pm to 7 am. Somehow, I have a notification on my screen from an app called “Abide”. Not only do I have notifications silenced for another hour almost, but I don’t have notifications turned on for this app at all. But there it was. And it read, “Balm for the restless heart. Come and find rest in Me.” And as I read it, shocked and amazed, another notification popped in. This time from the Bible app. And I read these words, “Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” And there I was, at peace and overwhelmed all at the same time. Not by the awful feelings I had upon waking, but by His incredible goodness.

Did the skies open and a voice from heaven come to me? No. But there I was, forced awake by a dream that left me sick to my stomach. And in the midst of prayer, I received timely and powerful words through a means that never should have been possible. I will leave you to wrestle with how that is possible. But for me, God is still in the business of speaking to His children. Even in the mundane and what could seem like trivial issues of one’s life, God is there. And He cares. And He speaks.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.