Posts by John Staiger (Page 65)

To state the obvious: Knocking is the act of seeking permission to enter a place into which you must first be allowed access. Many opportunities for Christian service are beyond us. Be it a lack of talent, faith, maturity or will, barriers exist that prevent us from being used by God in certain ways. But ‘lacking what is needed’ for a particular door to be opened, is not a reason to stop knocking. There are clearly other doors to pass…

The old man had had enough of his complaining. So, he handed the young man a shovel and said, “Here is the solution to all your problems. Take this shovel and knock on every door you come to and ask for garden work.” The young man was not impressed. He instead turned on his heels, and went back to the job that he detested. His friend had had enough too. But he was less sympathetic. He said, “You enjoy complaining…

You may have heard the oft told story about the hobo who prayed weekly from the steps of a church that wouldn’t let him in. One Sunday he was visited by an angel. “Your prayers have been heard,” said the angel. “But you are wasting your time praying to the Lord to tell them to let you in.” “Why?” asked the homeless man. “Because” said the angel, “the Lord has never been allowed in that church, either!” Christ has been…

Whatever place, possessions and possibilities await you beyond that door, none of it will be yours unless you knock. Access is by means of alerting the doorkeeper to your desire to enter in. The sense is to ‘keep on knocking.’ Many may approach the door, many may know what they want, but many may lack the will to boldly persevere until the door opens. Talents are multiplied unto those who use them in faithful service to Jesus. Investment in the…

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk.16:16) Whatever the sinful lifestyle, it all adds up to damnation. All agree that the issues at Corinth made it a model church to be avoided at all cost. Equally known, but less scrutinized today, is the state of the Ephesian church in the Book of Revelation. Their “having lost their first love” doesn’t seem to have the same judgemental punch as the…

True story: A lady presented a small jewellery box to be valued by the British TV Series, The Antique Road Show. She said it was her grandmother’s prize childhood possession. The host admired its intricate design and commented on the pretty gemstone worked into its lid. He held the gemstone to the light and the inside of the box was filled with an array of colourful specks of light. “Would you like to know its value?” he asked. “Yes, please,”…

In my youth I was invited to a lecture hall to listen to a new band. They had put in a lot of work and had a good sound, but by the seventh song I was wondering why I was there. I thought about my reaction for a long time afterwards, and concluded that if I had become bored, it wasn’t my fault. They were the ones driving the music, and I was invited along for the ride. I wanted…

The prize of pride is glory—the glory of man and the glory of self. Is it worth it? Most think so. Jesus accused his enemies of trading faith for the praise of each other: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?” (Jn.5:44). The glory of man is a powerful drug. And like all drugs its acquisition is driven by addition and…

Jimmy, an avid golfer, came home from the course one Saturday. His wife asked him with whom he had played that day. He said, “Oh, no one in particular.” She asked, “Why don’t you play with Bill anymore?” Jimmy replied, “Would you like to play golf with someone who throws his clubs, swears all the time, lies about his scores, moves his ball in the rough, and won’t stop talking while you’re trying to play a shot?” “Of course not!”…

A preacher was especially invited by the Elders to restore godliness to their very troubled congregation. On his first Sunday, after learning the details, he was very frustrated. He began his sermon, “Everyone in this congregation is going to hell if they don’t change their ways!” One man in the back began to laugh. So, the preacher said it again louder: “Everyone in this congregation is going to hell if they don’t change their ways!” But the man continued to…