Mount of Olives Church

“Childlike surrender and trust, I believe is the defining spirit of authentic discipleship.” – Brennan Manning Brennan Manning is describing humility. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He is elevating the principle of humility as the key to spiritual growth and development. He condemns the religious leaders of His day for their misuse of power. The rich young ruler who is told to sell everything because he was trusting in his wealth, was really being given a lesson in humility. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7, He contrasts spiritual pride with humility in how people pray and serve. During Holy Week, it is a good time to examine our own lives and ask ourselves where we need to let go of our pride and embrace greater humility. Mark 10:13-14 RSV And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to su...

Gloom, despair, and agony on me Deep, dark depression, excessive misery If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all Gloom, despair, and agony on me “Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me” from the TV Show “Hee-Haw” (1969-1992), Buck Owens & Roy Clark Maybe you remember that old song. Many people live their lives with this kind of outlook. They can never find anything good in anything. Their view is always negative and it often sounds a little bitter. Certainly, life can knock us around and sometimes it is extremely painful. However, we still have a choice. As one pastor once said, “We can become bitter or we can become better.” God wants us to become better. Once, Jesus was confronted with a question where the one asking thought the situation was impossible. But Jesus had a different outlook and it is one we should adopt as well. Mark 10:27 ESV Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Pray with me: He...

If you look at a map of Israel, you will see two major bodies of water. There is the Sea of Galilee around which Jesus spent the early part of His ministry. This is where He walked on the water. It is a body of water that is very much alive. In Jesus’ day, it was a major source for fishing. It is probably still used for fishing today. On one of my visits, I watched a speed boat go by pulling a man on water skis. Nevertheless, it is place of life. If you look down the map, you will see that the Sea of Galilee gives up its water and it flows to the Dead Sea through the Jordan River. The Dead Sea truly lives up to its name. With its high concentration of salt, nothing can live in the Dead Sea. Fish do not live there and neither do any plants – in or out of the water. However, tourists still go to visit the Dead Sea. The reason is so they can experience floating on the top of the water, which I found to be a tremendous experience. The point is simply this. The Sea of Galilee gives up its w...

Thursday, November 5, 2020  Television interviewer and journalist, Larry King, describes three farmers who gather daily in a field during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, looking upward, and praying the skies will open and pour forth a much-needed rain. Unfortunately, the heavens are silent, and the petitioners become discouraged, but they continue to meet every morning to lift up their request to God. One morning an uninvited stranger approaches and asks the men what they are doing. They respond, "We’re praying for rain." The newcomer looks at each of them and shakes his head, "No, I don’t think so." The first farmer says, "Of course we’re praying. We are down on our knees pleading for rain. Look around; see the drought. We haven’t had rain in more than a year!" The outsider continues to nod his head and advises them their efforts will never work. The second farmer jumps in and says, "We need the rain; we aren’t asking only for ou...