peace

Faith in the Face of Overwhelming Odds

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

Throughout Scripture, God consistently demonstrates His faithfulness to His people, often in the most unlikely of circumstances. Two powerful examples of this are the story of Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judges 6-7) and the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6). Though separated by time and context, both narratives reveal how God uses ordinary people and unconventional methods to display His power and fulfill His promises.

Gideon: Trusting God in Weakness

Gideon’s story begins with fear and doubt. When God calls him to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon protests, saying, “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). His hesitancy is relatable; he questions whether God is truly with him and seeks repeated confirmation through signs, such as the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). We’ve all been there. Saying something like, “is this truly you God?” Or, “are you sure you want me to do that?”

Despite Gideon’s initial doubt, God remained faithful and patient, guiding him step by step. Just like He’s done in my life and yours. The most remarkable aspect of Gideon’s victory lies in God’s strategy. Facing an army described as “thick as locusts” (Judges 7:12), Gideon starts with 32,000 men. However, God reduces the army to just 300, ensuring that the victory will unmistakably be attributed to Him, not human strength (Judges 7:2). Armed with trumpets, torches, and jars—not conventional weapons—Gideon’s army routs the Midianites.

Gideon’s victory highlights an important truth: God’s power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we step out in faith, even with trembling hearts, God can accomplish extraordinary things through us.

Jericho: Obedience in the Unconventional

The fall of Jericho is another testament to God’s faithfulness and power. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Jericho stood as a formidable obstacle—a city fortified with impenetrable walls. Yet God’s instructions to Joshua were unconventional: march around the city once a day for six days, and on the seventh day, march around it seven times, then shout and blow trumpets (Joshua 6:2-5).

To human reasoning, this plan seemed absurd. Yet Joshua and the Israelites obeyed without hesitation. Their faith was rewarded when the walls of Jericho collapsed, granting them victory without a single weapon being raised (Joshua 6:20). This story reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). His plans often defy logic, but they always accomplish His purposes.

Faith, Obedience, and God’s Glory

Both stories share common themes that resonate with believers today:

1. Faith in God’s Promises: Gideon and Joshua both trusted God’s promises, even when the odds seemed impossible. Their faith allowed them to experience God’s miraculous deliverance.

2. Obedience in Uncertainty: Both leaders followed God’s instructions, even when those instructions seemed unconventional. Obedience, even in the face of uncertainty, invites God’s blessing.

3. God’s Glory Displayed: In both victories, it was clear that the outcomes were due to God’s power, not human effort. This ensured that He received the glory.

Life often presents us with challenges that seem insurmountable—health crises, financial struggles, broken relationships, or personal weaknesses. Like Gideon and Joshua, we may feel inadequate or question how victory is possible. Yet their stories remind us that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our strength or understanding.

When we trust Him, obey His leading, and step out in faith, God works in ways that exceed our expectations. Our “walls of Jericho” can crumble, and our “Midianite armies” can be defeated—not because of our might, but because of His.

As Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Gideon and Jericho stand as enduring testimonies to this truth: no matter how overwhelming the odds, God is faithful, and His power is more than enough.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Soul Satisfying Silence

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

In our noisy, fast-paced world, silence can feel elusive. The constant hum of notifications, the demands of work, and the chatter of daily life often leave us longing for rest. Yet, throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus intentionally seeking moments of solitude and silence, carving out space to connect with God and focus His mission. This practice is more than a spiritual discipline; it’s an invitation to embrace the rhythm of grace and intimacy with the Father.

In Mark 1:35, we read, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” After ministering to crowds and healing the sick, Jesus sought the quiet of the early morning. He must have been worn and exhausted and in need of refreshing.

Jesus’ example reminds us that seeking silence often requires intention and sacrifice. It’s easy to let the busyness of life crowd out quiet moments, but setting aside time for solitude aligns our hearts with God’s will and refreshes our souls.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus withdrew to pray before major decisions or after significant events. For instance, before choosing His twelve disciples, He spent the night in prayer alone on a mountainside (Luke 6:12).

In these silent moments, Jesus demonstrated the importance of aligning His actions with the Father’s will. Silence provides the space to listen to God’s voice, reflect on His Word, and seek His guidance.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus invited His disciples to rest, saying, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Jesus understood that spiritual and physical renewal are intertwined. He balanced the demands of ministry with the necessity of rest, modeling a life that values both work and Sabbath rhythms.

Silence allows us to recover from the demands of our daily lives, offering peace to our restless hearts and clarity to our cluttered minds.

The life of Jesus calls us to seek silence—not as an escape but as a way to realign our hearts with God’s purpose. In the stillness, we find His presence. In the quiet, we hear His voice. As we follow Jesus’ example, we, too, can experience the profound peace and strength that comes from time spent with the Father.

Be still, and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Kapar

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

The Hebrew word kāp̄ar appears many times throughout the Old Testament scriptures and in many facets. In one such passage it is used to describe the day in which Israel would long for all year. It was the day of atonement or Yom Kippur. Leviticus chapter 16 has a detailed description of the days prescribed events. The main focus was the fact that the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and the Lord would make atonement for the sins of Israel. The symbolism here is amazing. It carried with it a past significance (God covering the very first sin committed), a present significance (the needs of Israel to be covered), and a future significance (looking to the ultimate covering made on the cross in the person of Jesus). And kāp̄ar means just that…a covering.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”‬

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV

God has been covering us from the beginning, but perhaps there is no greater example than the covering He provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our sins, which are many, could never be dealt with through the shedding of the blood of goats and sheep. The high priest was powerless to atone for anyone. Our good deeds, which are dirty rags (Isaiah 64), in comparison to God’s beauty and perfection. All of us have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3).

“”Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What hope these words bring to lowly broken and imperfect people such as us. God spoke these words of promise, as a reassurance to His continued plan to cover us with His goodness. As believers in Jesus, we walk in that rich fulfillment of God’s atoning goodness. We celebrate being covered and cleansed. We walk free because that freedom was purchased for us.

If you want to know more about how Jesus is represented in Yom Kippur, read on. The Bible Project does a great job highlighting the theme of atonement in this Video. God is so good and He’s been showing that from the very beginning.

Here are five of the key ways Jesus is connected to Yom Kippur:

  1. The Sacrificial Lamb • On Yom Kippur, in ancient Israel, a high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the people’s sins. One of the central elements was the sacrifice of a goat, whose blood was used to cleanse the people from their sins. Jesus, through his crucifixion, became the ultimate “sacrificial lamb.” His death on the cross was a once-and-for-all atonement for the sins of humanity, fulfilling and replacing the need for continual animal sacrifices.
  2. The High Priest • In Jewish tradition, the high priest plays a central role in Yom Kippur, acting as an intermediary between God and the people by making sacrifices on behalf of the nation. Jesus is the perfect high priest (as described in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament), not only offering the sacrifice but also being the sacrifice himself, mediating between God and humanity.
  3. The Scapegoat • Another central Yom Kippur ritual involved the “scapegoat,” which was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the people’s sins away from them.Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this ritual. He bore the sins of humanity and removed them once and for all through his death and resurrection. This idea of Jesus taking upon himself the sins of others resonates with the role of the scapegoat in Yom Kippur.
  4. Atonement and Reconciliation • Yom Kippur is fundamentally about atonement and reconciliation with God. It is a day dedicated to repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness. Jesus’ death is the act that provides atonement for sin, enabling reconciliation between humanity and God. This echoes the purpose of Yom Kippur but is a permanent and universal solution rather than an annual event.
  5. The New Covenant • Yom Kippur, under the Old Covenant, required continuous sacrifices year after year. Jesus’ sacrifice established a “new covenant” with God, as prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, which removed the need for repeated sacrifices. According to the New Testament, Jesus’ sacrifice was final and perfect, fulfilling the law and the rituals of atonement under the Old Covenant (Hebrews 9-10).

Peace in the covering of Christ brothers and sisters.

God said what?

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment
Bible Study Tools

The first person to misquote God was none other than the satan, represented by the serpent in the garden. And unfortunately, many people proclaiming allegiance to God have been misquoting Him since.

Jesus warned several times of the false teachers of Israel who twisted God’s words for their benefit and disregarded the heart and love behind God’s law. Jeremiah the prophet had to deal with five false prophets during his day. They declared over snd over that Yahweh had spoken to them but it was all based on their own fears and insecurities, and not truly what God was saying.

Take care never to impute the vain imaginings of your fancy to Him. I have seen the Spirit of God shamefully dishonored by persons – I hope they were insane – who have said that they have had this and that revealed to them.

Charles Spurgeon

The sad reality is that people often use the phrase “God told me” in order to vindicate themselves, elevate their message, or manipulate others. But what they could actually be doing is dishonoring scripture and taking the Lord’s name in vain.

It can be extremely difficult to discern between our emotions and what God is leading us to do. Our flesh, heart and mind can also speak to us, leading us into believing one thing, when it really may not be the case. We have to remember that no matter how spiritual we are, because we’re humans, we are fallible and prone to making mistakes. If we aren’t taking those “feelings” to scripture then we are making a grave mistake. If it doesn’t line up with what God said there, then He isn’t saying it to you now.

I believe God still moves and still leads and guides His followers. Jesus said His sheep know His voice and they follow Him. So He must speak right? We still believe that prayer can be a two way conversation right? He can still be found in that still small voice can’t He? As believers, we have God’s Spirit in us. A solid connection that certainly teaches and instructs us. We can know what is right and feel the right way to go or the right things to say. But all of it must be in line with the Word God has already spoken.

If you believe God is leading you to do, or say, or change something in your life, stay steadfast in prayer, confirm it through scripture, and seek out good council. This life isn’t meant to be done alone and we have such a great source of God’s wisdom at our fingertips. Our thoughts and emotions can’t be our guides. It’s up to us to submit in humility to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for in them is life.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Thirst

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

I put in some long days working in the heat during the summer. On those days I experience thirst to the point of desperation. It becomes consuming, hard to focus on much else. In my mind it’s really hard to be satisfied or content until that thirst is quenched. I’m just thinking about that next sip of cold water.

Henry David Thoreau, a 19th century abolitionist and theologian, said, “How prompt we are to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our bodies; how slow to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our souls!” How convicting and how true those words hard. I ask myself, have I ever thirsted for God the way that I did for the drink of water on those hot summer days?

“”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”‬‬

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV

Jesus says that if we hunger and thirst for righteousness we will be satisfied! So I guess the first question is, are you satisfied? To be satisfied is to be no longer needing anything. It’s like a perfect contentment. That’s where the believer is meant to be. We have everything in Him. And I truly believe that as our thirst for Him and His righteousness grows, it lessons for everything else. Thinking back to my experience in the heat, totally consumed with getting the next drink. Am I that way with God? Are you? The greek word used here is dipsao, which means to painfully feel want or eagerly long for. It’s being totally consumed to the point where everything we do is affected by it? Our work, our relationships, our conversations, our thoughts? For those of us not quite there yet, there’s good good news.

“They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed out.”

Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This passage is recalling God’s faithfulness in leading Israel through the desert. A people who rebelled, complained, wanted to turn back, who questioned, who built false gods, who doubted in the face of giants. Yet God was faithful.

I love songs like, Chasing rebels down by Ben Fuller. Or rescue story by Zach Williams. Or the song we sang, Goodness of God. They are some of the most moving songs because they apply to every one of us. We can look back over our lives and see God’s faithfulness as we wandered, sometimes willingly, or sometimes because of tragedy or hardships. We see that in a story out of John 4:10-14 in the conversation between Jesus and the woman at the well. She was a wandering soul, who God never lost sight of. And one thing I love most about that story is that she found what she was looking for and she would not stop talking about Jesus.

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Psalm‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Hebrew word used in both of these passages is same (tsamay) which carries the same weight as the greek counterpart. Denoting that intense longing. When is the last time you truly thirsted for God? Or to be righteous? What does that look like? Listen to this quote from Saint Augustine:

You called and shouted and burst my deafness. You flashed, shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors, and I drew in breath and panted for You. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for Your peace.

Saint Augustine (4th Century)

This is someone who has been touched by God, who has experienced Him in a very real way. I really believe that there is supposed to be this insatiable desire and need within the beloved of Christ. To the point where we can’t wait to see Him. We can’t wait to hear from Him. We can’t wait to read His word, we meditate, we worship, we pray, we serve…we pursue…always…because we need that connection…that closeness. It is the deepest of inner longings for a connection with our Creator. It’s the awareness of our need for His presence, guidance, grace, truth, and love.

There is such a sad passage in Jeremiah. In fact, much of that book is sad. To see what has become of God’s people. And right at the beginning, God speaks to Israel and says, “My people have done two evils: They have turned away from me, the spring of living water. And they have dug their own wells, which are broken wells that cannot hold water.” (Jer 2:13) We are all guilty of digging broken wells. For trying to satisfy that longing, that thirst, in the wrong ways. And what follows is a sense of emptiness, a lack of purpose, an unattainable peace, loneliness, and often pain. But that isn’t the story God is wanting for us. Instead He says abide in me, look for me, ask, knock, come to me, seek me with your whole heart and you will find me. And the end of our story is glorious.

“”Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.””

Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Are you Satisfied?

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

I have felt fleeting moments of satisfaction in my near 42 years. Periods where life seemed easier and things were going my way. But anyone who has been alive for more than a minute knows that life is like the tide. Sometimes it comes in, but it also goes back out. But there is a way to be satisfied in life that is constant. It’s not through what we have. It’s not even through who we have. It’s not about the goals achieved or the milestones reached. The bible guarantees us a path to satisfaction.

“”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”‬‬

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV

In the moments I have sought God, He’s been there. In the times I’ve chosen to find my identity in what He says about me, He speaks. When I have pursued a life of service and generosity, God has shown me the power love carries. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

In the next chapter of Matthew, Jesus talks about striving and being anxious about life. So much of life can be defined that way. Solomon calls it all vanity, a striving after the wind. It’s wasted worry.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for God. He is the source of righteousness. He is the source of life. How could we possibly find it without apart from Him? Yet how often do we try? If we’re honest, we really do try to find satisfaction in so much besides Him. It’s in living for Him and for others that we actually experience lasting satisfaction. Everything else is fleeting.

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”‬‬

Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV

Peace and satisfaction in Christ brothers and sisters.

Old Verse in a New Light

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

The words of John 3:16 have always been powerful to me. But one day they gripped my heart like they never had before. It was one morning, sitting at the kitchen table, reading a devotional with my four year old son. I read the words of this well known verse, and froze. I have read it hundreds of times before. But in this moment, the words shook me to the core. For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only son…I read it again and looked at my one and only son sitting next to me. I was overwhelmed by the sacrifice of Jesus. I was overwhelmed by the reach and depth of God’s love. I squeezed my son and looked in his eyes and told him, “Jesus loves us so much. One day His love will capture your heart like it has mine. Today He has shown new depths to His goodness.” And then I told my son how much I love Him and spent the next several hours praising God for who He is. Don’t forget how loved you are brothers and sisters. Praying that you too will be refreshed in that love and see it anew today.

Sturdy Living

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

“”Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the ancient parable found in the Bible, Jesus tells of two builders—one who constructs his house upon a foundation of sand, and another who builds upon solid rock. The obvious conclusion is of course that the foundation of our thoughts, actions, and motives really matter. But there are some other concerns that I’d like to highlight here.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Thinking: Building on sand may offered quick results and convenience, but it lacked sustainability. Similarly, choosing short-term gains over long-term stability can lead to eventual downfall. It’s crucial to prioritize faithfulness over fleeting gratification. When our biggest concerns are our feelings, and our comfort, then we are going to be unsteady and lacking in both. The pursuit of godliness is often found in the day-to-day decision to focus on the things of heaven and Christ’s mission.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:1-2 ESV

Resilience in Adversity: Life is unpredictable, and storms will come in various forms—financial hardships, health crises, relationship struggles. The parable teaches us to cultivate resilience by preparing for challenges and fortifying our inner strength to persevere through adversity. Knowing what Jesus says about us can drowned out the hurtful things others may say. Knowing God’s love for us revealed in His word can help us when we feel unloved by others. Knowing God’s amazing track record of faithfulness can sustain us in the uncertain times of life.

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Wisdom in Decision-Making: Just as a builder must carefully choose the foundation for their house, we must make wise decisions in all aspects of life—career, relationships, finances. Consulting trusted mentors, seeking advice, and weighing consequences can help us make choices aligned with our long-term goals. Knowing what God’s will is for our lives can help us be wise in all things we do.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV


The parable of building your house on the sand serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of a strong foundation, wise decision-making, resilience in adversity, and faith in the face of uncertainty. The only way we can achieve these things is by knowing truths that God has been speaking to His children since the beginning. Living by the truth leads to sturdy living.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Mountains

~ ForCommonGround ~ 1 Comment

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

I read a really good quote the other day. It said that God may have assigned you this mountain to show others how it can be moved. It made me think of some of the difficult interactions of my life and how God has brought me through them. In almost every case, I have been able to use it as a testimony for the benefit of others. In the moments it seems crushing. Those trials were painful, and at times, they felt desperate. But I can honestly say, the hardest of circumstances are the ones that have brought me closer to the Lord. Through the gospels, the same theme is presented. It’s when the waves are threatening to drown the disciples, or a dear friend in Lazarus has died, or Christ is being crucified, or persecution is all around and people are being tossed into prison, that faith is being deepened and mountains are being moved.

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Mark 11:23 ESV

No mountain is permanent. Through time and faith you’ll see them cast into the see and your path cleared. In that moment we can find others facing their mountain and testify of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We can stand along side them, and encouraging, listening to, and praying for them. Our experiences on this faith journey are meant to make us better equipped to serve and help those around us. Don’t undervalue your story and how it could empower others.

Peace in Chris brother and sisters.

Close to our Savior

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,”

John‬ ‭17‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV

In the hours before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed. He prayed for those who had followed Him. And He prayed for those yet to follow Him. This prayer speaks volumes about His heart for the world…for us…for you. Jesus, wants His followers to enter in to communion with each other, and most importantly, with Him. And He had to go to the cross to make that happen. His sacrifice makes the way for us to be one with Him. His glory is imparted to sinful, yet humble and repentant, faith-filled humans. Our brokenness is replaced with His beauty. Our emptiness is filled with His Spirit.

No matter what your 2023 looked like. All your pain, your hurt, your loneliness, your mistakes, your sin, and your failures…they can all be brought to the cross. There. they meet with redemption, love, and grace. If distance is what you’ve felt, it’s time to come close. If your year was full of joy, success, new relationships, and promise…they can all be brought to the cross. There they are met with a gratitude for the One who made it all possible. If you’ve been close this year, it’s time to get closer. Wherever you find yourself at the close of this year, take your next step towards Jesus.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters!