We sometimes get to a place where, instead of completing the journey ourselves, we must pass the torch to someone else.

Names are personal, and calling someone by name indicates a relationship with them. Jesus knows these apostles; he chooses and names them specifically.

When we call out to God for help and God answers, how often do we respond with the kind of praise that the Psalmist uses in these verses? I tend to offer a quick thank you and then move on as if God showing up for me was no big deal. What if I instead turned to offer God praise?

Like Abram, God calls each of us to unique and specific tasks. These tasks could be as every day as a conversation with a person who is hurting and needs a listening ear and a word of encouragement, and these tasks could be the way we earn a living or whom we choose to build a family with or the places we serve others.

Fear freezes our dreams, hopes, and aspirations. It immobilizes our efforts. Even though a pastor, I still feared someone might reject me if I shared my faith.

Jesus instructs his disciples that, if the people do not accept them, shake the dust off their feet. This action becomes a sacramental act to remove failure from our lives.

Jesus instructed his disciples to not take anything with them as they went on their mission. Why?