Anonymous Courage
“The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, ‘Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson!’ Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, ‘Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of…
When Someone Else Gets the Credit
“‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.’” 1 Samuel 14:7 Genuine celebration of others’ success is one of the rarest gifts you can give. The armor bearer didn’t…
When Your Task Is to Carry the Weapons
Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 1 Samuel 14:13 Excellence in supporting roles requires higher skill levels than most…
Ready Before You’re Needed
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.’ But he did not tell his father. 1 Samuel 14:1 God positions His people before He reveals…
The Main Character Trap
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3 The pressure to be the hero of every story is slowly killing your joy. Social media feeds you lies about needing to be seen, celebrated,…
When God’s Plan Includes Delays
For two whole years Paul stayed there. Acts 28:30 Two years can feel like a lifetime when you’re waiting for God to move. Paul sat under house arrest in Rome, not knowing when or if he would ever be released.…
Why Some Hearts Stay Closed
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Acts 28:27 Hearts don’t close overnight. They close slowly, one rejection at a time. Paul quoted Isaiah to explain why some…
What to Do When People Walk Away
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement. Acts 28:25 Watching people walk away from truth hurts more than physical pain. Paul had spent an entire day carefully explaining the gospel to the…
The Art of Patient Persistence
From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God. Acts 28:23 Real ministry happens in the marathon. It doesn’t happen in the sprint. Paul didn’t rush through his talk to the Jewish leaders in Rome.…
When Limitations Become Launchpads
It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain. Acts 28:20 Chains don’t always limit you. Sometimes they launch you. Paul sat in Roman custody, shackled to a guard, yet his influence had never…