Category Archives: Encouragement

Why We Underestimate Ourselves—and Why God Doesn’t

Posted on August 29, 2026 by salooper57

You and I are ideas – God’s ideas – whose time is yet to come. When it does, everyone will be amazed—and no one more than you and me! Continue reading →

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I Am the Resurrection (Part 1) – John 11:1-16

Posted on August 26, 2026 by salooper57

In the first century, every Jew understood what resurrection is, even those who denied it was a real thing. Resurrection was the end-of-the-age, God-staged event in which all people who have ever lived come back to life. How could Jesus claim to be that? Continue reading →

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Jesus said: “I Am the Door” (John 10:1-10)

Posted on August 19, 2026 by salooper57

When Eddie came to Jesus, he thought that having fun was a thing of the past. From now on it would be Bible reading, prayer, and boring church services until he died and went to heaven. Continue reading →

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Good Shepherd 2 (John 10:11-18)

Posted on August 16, 2026 by salooper57

Being mistaken for my brother was one thing. Being confused with the dog was another. (It’s true that we both had big feet and voracious appetites, and as I got older and let my hair and beard grow, I started to look like him. But still…) Continue reading →

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Why Didn’t He Just Say No? (Acts 7)

Posted on August 15, 2026 by salooper57

Why not deny the allegations, expose the false witnesses, and get back to life and ministry? When the high priest asked if the charges were true, why did Stephen not answer, “No”? Why launch into a rambling sermon on the history of Israel? Continue reading →

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When Jesus Looks at You, What Does He See?

Posted on August 8, 2026 by salooper57

Jesus was neither maudlin nor manipulative. When he looked at people, he saw them for who they really were and responded appropriately. Continue reading →

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The Art of Living Backwards

Posted on July 25, 2026 by salooper57

the most important thing in your life happened in someone else’s life. Continue reading →

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Come, Eat, Believe and Live (John 6)

Posted on July 22, 2026 by salooper57

The first people who heard Jesus speak those words didn’t understand them either. Yet what is at stake here is life, a kind of life we don’t automatically possess but that will fulfill us as human beings… Continue reading →

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The Great Recycling Enterprise

Posted on July 11, 2026 by salooper57

In my own life, my older brother’s death when I was in 6th grade was a tragedy. It was not good in any way; it was horrible. But God nevertheless brought good out of it. Continue reading →

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Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – John 4 (a Sermon)

Posted on July 7, 2026 by salooper57

Relations between Jews and Samaritans were so bad at the time Jesus met the woman at the well, a Jew would insult another Jew by calling him a “Samaritan.” When some angry men called Jesus a devil-possessed Samaritan, it was the meanest thing they could think of to say. Continue reading →

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