by Darrell | Jan 30, 2026 | Articles
In Matthew 10:1-15, from our reading this past week, Jesus sends out His apostles to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He gave them power to heal, raise the dead, cleanse leapers, and cast out demons. These powers are mighty and amazing, but given with purpose. They needed to prove that what they were proclaiming was from God and not just something made up. The text doesn’t tell us how they reacted to being sent out. I don’t know if they were nervous, afraid, doubtful, etc. We all feel at least some amount of nervousness when we approach someone to tell them about God. We wonder about the best approach to use, whether we will have the answers for their questions or whether they will react kindly or with malice. Jesus even warns them that there will be some who are “worthy” and those who are not. If someone wouldn’t listen, they are told to shake off the dust from their feet — a judgment upon them as well as a relief of feeling guilty about a person’s response. In fact, Jesus states that it would be “more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town” that would not listen to the truth.
Embedded in this account from Matthew 10 is something else we need to see: dependence and trust. They are told to take no bag, 2 tunics or staff or sandals. In other words, nothing extra. They needed to trust God and the power of His word upon the hearts of the hearers. “The laborer deserves his food.” If an honest heart hears their words and heeds them, that person sees the value in what is being proclaimed and will provide for them. This is the will of God – that those who preach the good news should be supported by those who heed and appreciate the words they speak from God.
My takeaway from this reading was trust. Trust the word. Trust God. Do the work. Good considerations for us today as we take on another week of service to the Lord.
by Darrell | Oct 3, 2025 | Articles
Everyone likes a good underdog movie. One where someone must rise to a challenge and beat the odds. Much of the movie is usually centered around tragedy, overcoming limitations, and finding the will to push forward despite fear or circumstance. In some ways, we are the main characters in our own underdog story. We are under constant attack, and we cannot overcome without help. We must rise to the challenge with the help of the Lord!
Rising to the challenge means accepting our limitations, relying on the power and might of God, letting go of fear and doubt, and moving forward in faith. By accepting these things, we find strength that we never before thought possible. Strength that displays the work of God in our lives.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12, relates his own struggle with difficult circumstances. He states that he had a “thorn in the flesh” and he prayed 3 times for it to be removed. The answer he received was not the one that he expected – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (vs 9) By letting go of the idea that he could be rid of this thorn and embracing that God would carry him through anyway, he found strength and said in vs 10 “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Life or our physical condition may not be what we expected or desired, but God’s power is not limited.
Jesus teaches us that rising to a challenge can be filled with anxiety but overcome by trust. In Matthew 26:39 he prays concerning His coming death (sacrifice), “let this cup pass from me.” But he also said, “not as I will, but as you will.” Anxiety is not overcome by getting what we want, but by trusting God. We must be people of courage, just as Jesus teaches us to rise to the challenge.
Philippians 4:12-13 states, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” In order to rise to the challenge of our faith and circumstances of life that we face, our strength must come from God. If we try to only rely on self, we will falter. If we rely on God in faith, then we will stand. Paul was not only able, but willing to suffer these things so he could serve God and his brethren.
Some days are more challenging than others. Hiding from the challenges won’t help. Rising to the challenge by embracing our faith and our dependence on God will carry us through. Rise to follow Jesus and face the challenges!
