Spiritual Journey Insights

Introduction Recently, a Pastor visited me, and I took him to the Mall of America, the biggest mall in America.  As we were walking, we met a person who wanted to talk to us. Immediately, I realized that he wanted to share the gospel with us. I was happy and wanted to hear what he had to say. Another person joined him and tried to talk to me. The conversation and everything that happened later forced me to investigate and led me to write this. I am sharing this for information-sharing purposes and would like you to evaluate the information and beware so that you will not get trapped or deceived. Highlights from our Conversation Everything started with the statement that Christ had returned. I wanted to hear more as it was a red flag. Then it went to many prophecies, observance of Passover, Sabbath, celebration of Christmas, etc. Everyone except their church is heresy and false. Only they are accurate, and everyone else is waiting for judgment. As the conversation progressed, we sat...

Internal conflicts are everywhere these days. There are currently more than thirty-two countries going through war now. Many are dealing with civil wars, and people live in fear and turmoil. There is hunger, and people are losing hope. I know people who live in these areas, and life is tough, and with each passing day, things are getting destroyed which was once built with incredible difficulty. A building that took years to build is destroyed in a few hours. In the Bible, Jesus made a statement when he was accused of doing miracles with the help of Satan. Mathew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. (CSB) Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. (NLT)   Any kingdom, town, or family divided by civil war or divided will fall apart. It is not going...

  Four Episodes of Thriving Talk came out in February 2023. YouTube Links -  Bullying and Peer Pressure -  https://youtu.be/2Mz6239yubg Think Right, Do Right, Feel Right -  https://youtu.be/ZYWCZ7rJvro Growing in Holiness -  https://youtu.be/bNWt8L6Ct1U Distractions in Spiritual Life - https://youtu.be/dlrRAZZGJTU Details about Thriving Talk Podcast  -  https://tinkuthompson.blogspot.com/2022/08/thriving-talk-podcast-links.html https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/ https://anchor.fm/gospel-link  

One of the last instructions of Jesus Christ to his disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. The ask was to teach these disciples to obey his commands (Matt. 28:19-20). A disciple cannot be passive in life but active in making disciples and teaching them to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ.   Today's challenge is that all resources, zoom or live meetings, and messages are not moving people to acceptance and obedience. We hear a lot weekly and know the theory very well. We may be able to take a class or preach at a conference, but in our personal lives, we miss application. It may look like the bald man trying to sell hair oil that cures baldness.     True discipleship moves us beyond information to a practical level which involves sacrifice and self-denial and is essential. Unfortunately, we often desire to do everything within our comfort zone and ensure everything is secure and will not go the extra mile. Jesus taught us to deny ourselves, ...

One thing the Bible is clear about is that God commands everyone to obey.  It teaches that Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Recently I noticed something about Ezra. Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10) I had always been impressed with Ezra among Bible characters. This verse stood out to me because it shows a pattern that should be followed by everyone who teaches or preaches to others. Step 1 – Determine in the heart It is a decision taken within the heart and not forced by someone else. Step 2 – Study the law of the Lord Not just read but study the word. It takes time to study something. Step 3 – Obey the word Do what was understood while studying in your personal life. Step 4- Teach others If you realize it works, take time to share it with others. Teach others what you studied and obeyed. One challenge we may have is that we will miss the order and a...

Four Episodes of Thriving Talk came out in January 2023. YouTube Links -  Implications of Seeing Church as Family -  https://youtu.be/yJDRIsJjg9g Real & Fake Christianity - https://youtu.be/rYIN3WkBgtE New Life -  https://youtu.be/IMGkfpY0BXs Stay Productive - https://youtu.be/9FDJFwBI2rM Details about Thriving Talk Podcast -  https://tinkuthompson.blogspot.com/2022/08/thriving-talk-podcast-links.html https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/ https://anchor.fm/gospel-link

Episode 23 of Thriving Talk came out today. The topic is " Stay Productive " This is another Dad-Son edition in which Tim, my son, sits with me and asks questions about life, purpose, spirituality, faith, etc.  Details about Thriving Talk Podcast -  https://tinkuthompson.blogspot.com/2022/08/thriving-talk-podcast-links.html https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/ https://anchor.fm/gospel-link YouTube Link to the latest episode -  https://youtu.be/9FDJFwBI2rM  

As another year starts, we all have expectations. The end of the year is a time of reflection, and a new year starts with new hope that things will be different.  This year the focus concerning church for me is to meditate and teach on the topic of New Life.  Eph. 4:23-24 -  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 2 Cor. 5:17- This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Romans 6:1-4 - Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also ...

Four episodes of Thriving Talk came out in December 2022.  The topics and links are below. Laziness -  https://youtu.be/joZCdzTwaAQ Will Religious Faith Fade Away? -  https://youtu.be/gCHTbd_ZaDE Christmas Traditions -  https://youtu.be/QjimA6TzMkg   New Year Resolutions-  https://youtu.be/z-uAmxAy-L4 Details about Thriving Talk Podcast -  https://tinkuthompson.blogspot.com/2022/08/thriving-talk-podcast-links.html https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/ https://anchor.fm/gospel-link