Posts by Andy Baker (Page 7)

The past two months have drastically changed our thinking. If you don’t think so, go into a public place and start coughing and see the reactions (on second thought, don’t do that). There will always be a “BC” (before COVID) means of thinking, and there will now be an “AD” (after distancing) thinking. However, this new way of thinking causes me to think of the parallels between the mindset of a disciple of Jesus. Here are some comparisons to consider: …

I mentioned in my Wednesday devotional that the Titanic sank 108 years ago this past week (April 15, 1912). For a ship that was heralded as “unsinkable” and the greatest ship ever made, it proves the old adage, “pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction” (Prov. 16:18).  Some decisions using human wisdom are not able to be weighed accurately in terms of long-term consequences because man just doesn’t have the earthly wisdom to be able to…

Solomon has given us all much to chew on for over two millennia. Even now when we are in isolation, quarantine, shelter-in-place, or whatever you want to call it, his by-inspiration inspirational quotes still are speaking truth in the book of Proverbs.  Here are some lessons to think deeply about for those who are feeling the effects of 4+ weeks at home:  “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression”…

Things were going great at first. In the first chapters of Acts, the church was growing by leaps and bounds, there were great open-doors for the people of God, and the future was bright in sharing the message about Jesus. However, beginning in Acts 4, the problems started for the church in Jerusalem.  By the end of chapter 7, there is the death of Stephen and by chapter 8:1, the church scatters. Note this, up until the church scattered, there…

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to people’s concerns and worries in a way that we would do well to heed. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus had just affirmed the fact that we cannot be about serving God, and also serving the things of this life because “no man can serve two masters.” As He then draws His conclusion for His audience, the refrain becomes clear, “do not worry” (Matthew 6:25, 27, 31, 34). What things does Jesus tell…

We like to believe we’ve got everything under control. “I’ve got this.” “I don’t need anyone’s help at all.” “When I need your help, I’ll ask for your help.” It is a form of pride to say that when it comes to needs of togetherness and reliance on others, we need nothing. What a mistake was made that spring day of so long ago! What began as one king staying home alone in his own “fortress of solitude” ended with…

“Khandai Tripura, 35, of Chinchharipara village in Ramgararh district, Bangladesh, caught a cobra on 20 July and started playing with it. The snake bit him on the hand, and in his anger, he bit the snake’s head. He died in the hospital the next day. The snake also died. No word on whether they were buried together.” – Independant [sic] 22 July 1998  Why do people make the choices that they do? There are people we will invariably run across…

 …is the sound of an alarm clock. I never thought I’d say it, but on the regular, I love the sound of this alarm. It makes my heart happy every time I hear it because I understand what it represents. Please know that I’m not talking about my own alarm clock. That is still an instrument of torture (in many cases), but this alarm to which I am referring is different.  You see, my oldest daughter has committed herself to…

Any time our culture talks about Jesus, God’s people have an open door to enrich the conversation about Jesus. As you know, during this holiday season, much will be said about Jesus that is inaccurate. These inaccuracies are not just spoken by the world, but by Christians as well. God’s own children, the “people of the Book,” even struggle to discern between fact and fiction concerning this pivotal, historical event.  May I challenge you to a short quiz? The purpose…

Why did Jesus have to cleanse the temple? Why was He not content to just let things go on business as usual? In John 2, Jesus “cleans house” literally because those Jews had made the temple a “house of merchandise” (John 2:16). There were things, behaviors, and attitudes that didn’t belong in a house dedicated to the Lord. 1 Corinthians talks about the temple of the Lord being both the individual human body and the collective body of the church…

Momentum is interesting. If it’s there, it’s somewhat hard to stop, but if it’s not there, it’s somewhat hard to get going. We have had several wonderful, momentum building things this year that have been designed to gain momentum or to “get the ball rolling.” Of late and of note, we had an excellent success with Friends and Family Day as well as the neighborhood door-knocking event (including the putting together of packets). Now how do we keep the momentum…