LEAVING EVERYTHING BEHIND
Even today, there are still “tax collectors” among us who hear Jesus say, “Follow Me.” and, by grace, they leave it all behind to follow the One, True Savior.
Trust
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE NEW YEAR!
Before delving into my thoughts for this new year, I strongly urge you to read this passage (Luke 8:36-50) carefully and consider what is being said and all that transpires. The story, in brief: – Jesus is invited to dine with one of the Pharisees. – A woman sits at Jesus’ feet, weeping. = She …
COURAGE IN THE FACE OF ________
Sadly it’s too easy for us to think of Jesus as a ‘superman’ of sorts (which is a terrible analogy any way you cut it!). When it comes to some of His miraculous works and His encounters with demons, we readily label Him “fully God”; whereas, other times, when He is troubled, or pensive, we see Him as “fully man”.
PEACE, a biblical perspective for Christmas
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 Boy, do we love the words of the heralding angels on the night of our Savior’s birth! Peace on earth! Peace. We all need it, want it, and desire it deeply. Regardless of who we are, …
BIND MY HEART
Our hearts are not to be trusted. I am well aware that many, many people—Christians included—are prone to rely on their own hearts to guide them through the situations, trials, and perils of daily living. But, God’s word warns us that this should not be so.
GOD ‘PROVES’ HIMSELF
God doesn’t need to “prove” Himself to anyone. God is Who He is. It is WE who need to discover how God’s love is steadfast, how He is always trustworthy, and the myriad of ways in which we can rely upon Him, regardless of the situation.
REACHING THE EARS OF GOD
I do believe the “secret” to quick prayers is being “prayed up”, having been before our God in daily conversant, earnest prayer. God is ever attentive to the prayers of His righteous ones.
IF HAMAN AIN’T HAPPY…
Positive emotions are so easily derailed by things that grate us the wrong way. Much of the time the reason our happiness is stolen is due to our expectations not being fulfilled. In order to have spiritual happiness we must acknowledge and fully depend upon our God. Without a permanent relationship with God we can never be eternally happy.
RADIANT HAPPINESS, JOYOUS HONOR
In the 8th chapter of the much-loved book of Esther, the Jews—who had been marked for annihilation—have received an edict allowing them to defend themselves against any aggression at any cost.
The English Standard Version of the Bible reads like this: “there was radiant happiness and joyous honor”.
It’s hard to imagine what this phrase means to us today, especially since….READ MORE
Sit By the Brook…
Every believer will find themselves sitting by the brook of Cherith at one time or other. It is a great opportunity to sit and wait on the LORD. We are so conditioned to push ahead, and keep trudging along, desperate to “make things happen”. When much of the time God is calling us to wait on Him to move.
Perfection from Imperfection
The true redemption in this account comes from this union between Boaz and Ruth. Obed becomes the grandfather of David, king of Israel – and – forerunner of the King, Yeshua (Jesus).
THERE IS NO ‘PLAN B’
In the book of Ruth, it’s easy to understand Naomi’s belief that God is “opposing” her desire for a pleasant, peaceful life with a full family. It isn’t as if living her idyllic life was God’s Plan A, and now He has to resort to Plan B. There is no Plan B.
Teach Your Children…Well!
Despite where we may be in our parental mission (for that is what parenting is: a mission for God to raise up believing people for the Kingdom’s sake) we should seriously consider the things we should affirm to the younger people in our influence, especially those over whom we have Godly authority
Called to Hope
…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…
Beyond the Book of Acts
Ever wonder whether or not your faith is being effective? As Christians, we place a great deal of emphasis on the ministries of early saints like Paul, John, and Peter. As apostles and key witnesses to Jesus, they were among the first called upon to spread the gospel of Christ. As such, they stand out …