May 30
Luke tells us that Jesus grew in four areas (Luke 2:52): Wisdom [mentally, academically] Stature [physically, athletically, health] Favor with man [socially, kindness, relationships] Favor with God [spiritually, knowledge and fear of God, obedience] Kids today still have a responsibility to grow in each of these areas. Each of them take effort and work. As …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/its-the-churchs-job-to-grow-kids-spiritually/
May 28
Some growing is easy! A child doesn’t have to think to make themselves add on inches to their height. For most of us adults growing around the waistline happens much easier than we want! But most growing is difficult. It typically takes lots of work and effort. An athlete must work hard to grow in …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/even-jesus-had-to-grow/
May 21
Joseph dreamed two visions when he was a teen that his father and brothers would bow down to him one day. He would “reign over” them. His father rebuked him for the dreams and his brothers allowed their jealousy to turn to hatred (Gen. 37:5-11). Joseph had to live with these dreams for decades. How …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/aligning-your-dream-with-gods-dream/
May 15
It’s graduation season! Congratulations to all of our graduates. Graduation signals not only an ending, but a beginning. High school graduation is the launching of new adventures and new responsibilities. Starting is easy, finishing is hard! An education is a great start, but success comes from finishing what you start. Regarding our spiritual lives, finishing …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/finish-strong/
May 07
I have one small tree that grows on my pond bank. I have cut it down before, but because the roots are still there it comes back and grows quickly. It doesn’t really bother me that it is growing. It is not in a place where the roots will damage the pond and I have …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/letting-trees-grow/
May 02
Ananias asked Paul an important question, “And now why do you wait?” (Acts 22:16). What a wonderful question to consider. Why are you waiting to be saved? Why are you waiting to give your life to Christ through belief (John 3:16), repentance (Luke 13:3), confession (Rom. 10:9-10), and baptism (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16)? Let’s consider …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reasons-people-delay-salvation/
Apr 23
In 1996, Josh Clark wanted to give people easy victories so they could find joy in jogging. What an ambitious goal! After persevering through several failed attempts he had learned to enjoy jogging and the benefits that came with it. He developed a plan to give would-be runners easy victories by attaining small, manageable goals. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/gaining-easy-victories/
Apr 16
I had a solid white male lamb die unexpectedly this past week. He appeared to be a perfect little lamb without spot or blemish. But he died. He lay on a clump of hay. His lifeless body in the exposed sun motionless. From a distance he looked like he was just taking a nap in …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-dead-lamb/
Apr 08
Church leaders need to have tattooed on their inner eyelids–DELEGATE! They constantly must be thinking who can do this task for the body of Christ. Christ gave leaders to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13). Church members are supposed …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-one-thing-leaders-cannot-delegate/
Apr 04
Always notice repetitive phrases when reading the Bible. The authors use the same phrase to connect stories and concepts together to make a point. I was reading 1 Chronicles when I noticed an interesting phrase. Three times, once in each chapter between chapters 13-15, the Bible refers to God breaking out. The word used means …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/beware-he-can-burst-out/
