Steven Miller

  Sowing to the Spirit: A Reflection on Galatians 6:6–10 Galatians 6:6–10 (ESV) “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” The Principle of Sowing and Reaping Galatians 6:6–10 contains one of the most enduring spiritual principles found in Scripture: what we sow, we will reap. This principle is woven into the fabric of God's creation. A farmer does not plant corn and expect wheat. Likewise, a person cannot sow selfishness, neglect, and sin and expect a harvest of righteousness and peace. ...

  Looking to Jesus: The Bronze Serpent and the Savior SCRIPTURE TEXT “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” — John 3:14–15 (ESV) INTRODUCTION One of the most remarkable comparisons Jesus ever made about Himself is found in His conversation with Nicodemus. While explaining the necessity of the new birth, Jesus reached back into Israel's history and pointed to an unusual event recorded in Numbers 21:4–9. The Israelites had sinned against God, venomous serpents invaded the camp, and many people died. Yet God provided a surprising means of deliverance: a bronze serpent lifted upon a pole. Jesus declared that this event was not merely a historical incident; it was a picture of His own redemptive work on the cross. The bronze serpent became a prophetic shadow pointing forward to the Savior who would be lifted up for the sins of the world. By examining this Old Testament ...

  The God Who Speaks in the Silence A Reflection on 1 Kings 19:9–18 There are moments in the Christian life when we expect faithfulness to produce immediate results. We pray, serve, witness, teach, preach, and obey God, believing that our efforts will bring visible change. Yet there are times when, despite our faithfulness, we find ourselves discouraged, weary, and wondering whether anything we have done has made a difference. Such was the experience of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. This passage presents one of the most honest and encouraging portraits of spiritual discouragement found anywhere in Scripture. Elijah was not a weak believer. He was one of the greatest prophets in Israel's history. He had confronted kings, challenged false religion, and witnessed miraculous demonstrations of God's power. Yet after one of the greatest victories of his ministry, he found himself exhausted, fearful, and questioning everything. The account reminds us that even God's strongest se...

  Take Up Your Cross and Follow Christ A Reflection on Matthew 16:24–28 Scripture “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’” — Matthew 16:24–28 (ESV) Introduction: The Call That Changes Everything Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus extended invitations to people from every walk of life. He called fishermen from their boats, tax collectors from their booths, and ordinary men and women from their da...

  Seek the Lord While He May Be Found A Reflection on Isaiah 55:6–9 Isaiah 55:6–9 (ESV) “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The Urgency of Seeking God Isaiah's words carry both an invitation and a warning. The invitation is clear: “Seek the Lord while he may be found.” God is not hiding from those who genuinely desire Him. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as One who desires a relationship with His people. He calls, invites, and draws sinners to Himself. Yet there is also urgency in this passage. The phrase “while he may be found” remin...

  The Parable of the Talents: Faithfulness With What God Has Given You Text: Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV) Introduction The Parable of the Talents is one of Jesus' most challenging and practical teachings. Found in Matthew 25, it comes during His discourse concerning His return and the responsibility of His followers while they wait. The parable is not primarily about money, although money is used as the illustration. It is about stewardship, faithfulness, and accountability before God. Every believer has been entrusted with something by the Lord. Some have been given opportunities, abilities, resources, spiritual gifts, influence, knowledge, or experience. The question is not how much we have been given compared to someone else. The question is what we are doing with what God has entrusted to us. Understanding the Parable Jesus tells of a master who is preparing for a journey. Before leaving, he entrusts his property to three servants. One servant receives five talents, an...

                                                                             As the Days of Noah Were An Reflection on Matthew 24:37 Matthew 24:37 (ESV) “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Few statements made by Jesus are as sobering and thought-provoking as His comparison between the days of Noah and the time preceding His return. In a single verse, Jesus bridges thousands of years of history, connecting one of the most significant events in the Old Testament with one of the most anticipated events in the future—the return of the Son of Man. When Jesus points His disciples to Noah, He is doing more than giving a history lesson. He is providing a warning, a call to vigilance, and an invitation to faithful living. The compari...