Sin and The Holy Spirit.

Did you mess up? Did you blow it? Honestly, how did that feel? Convicted? Guilty? Ashamed? When, as Christians, we fall to sin, it does not, and should not, feel good, or right, or free. It should most definitely bother us. One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to “bother us” about our sin. (JohnContinue reading “Sin and The Holy Spirit.”

Don’t change the message!

These words were written to those who would seek to follow the Lord, those suffering for the faith, those not yet born, and those who would live in the End of Days. These were the last words of a dying saint who knew his time was short. Don’t miss this! Paul uses STRONG words whenContinue reading “Don’t change the message!”

We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.

Just before the Apostle Paul would die, he records how he was able to run his race so well. Paul was thoroughly equipped for every good work-including sitting in a prison and writing powerful truth we study all these thousands of years later. Paul would never leave that prison but had all he needed forContinue reading “We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.”

We are wrong if we think God does not do this.

I usually breeze past genealogies in the Bible. Except this time I didn’t. (Matt 1) I stopped in adoration of the God, who could have chosen a more flawless lineage, but instead, chose to use and call out by name those with a very checkered past in the birth of His Son. Matthew 1:1-16 listsContinue reading “We are wrong if we think God does not do this.”

Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.

The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always be defined by what they have done in the past. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard others say… I can’t be used by God because —I can’t serve atContinue reading “Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.”

End of Days?

The disciples wanted to know when the End of Days would come. (Luke 21:7) I want to know, too. In Luke 21, Jesus gives what is commonly called the Olivet Discourse (Jesus was at the Mount of Olives when He said these things. Matthew 24 also records, in greater detail, the Olivet Discourse, and isContinue reading “End of Days?”

If you can be comfortable in sin, you may not be a child of God.

The beloved disciple of Jesus, John, seems to be repeating himself, but perhaps he is reinforcing this very big point—You can’t keep on walking in sin as if it is no big deal. If you can, you may not be a child of God. Remember, John’s audience is the young church—believers. But, as in anyContinue reading “If you can be comfortable in sin, you may not be a child of God.”

No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.

To watch someone suffer pain and hold on to God, knowing He could’ve stopped it, but chose not to, is truly a holy thing to witness. My words don’t seem worthy to even attempt to describe such. Yet, little has encouraged my faith as much as this story has. It’s one I’ve closely watched unfoldContinue reading “No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.”

I’m not sure if I should talk about this…

I’m not sure if I should talk about this. I don’t want anyone to feel bad, because I truly wouldn’t trade a thing. But it’s hard. Middle age. Being in the middle of your adult kids and your aging loved ones. Trying to rejoice, and help, and encourage, while all the while watching your ownContinue reading “I’m not sure if I should talk about this…”

Not today Satan

You know the evil one does not want you to believe the promises of God, right? Genesis contains promises of God that are foundational to our faith. Oh, how I love to hear the crinkling of the pages as I open the living, breathing, promise-filled Word of God! As I turn to Genesis 12, GodContinue reading “Not today Satan”

People are increasingly upset by truth.

For years, I’ve merely studied the Bible and written what I’ve learned. I’ve been encouraged by so many who study with me. But others, including some friends and family, have not liked what I have written on things like marriage, abortion, gender identity, homosexuality etc. Most are fairly kind in theirdisagreement, but I’ve also receivedContinue reading “People are increasingly upset by truth.”

Struggling to believe?

Noah lived 350 years after the flood and dies. His descendants are listed in Genesis 10. The earth population grows. At this point, all the people spoke the same language and they decided to stay together and build a city and a tall tower in the plain of Shinar (Babylon). (Gen 11) But remember, GodContinue reading “Struggling to believe?”

Love Thoughts

Love thoughts…this Valentines Day… It’s not enough they thought …the love of God. They needed God plus….an apple for Eve, a bowl of stew for Esau, If only Sarah could have a child of her own when she wanted it, if Joseph’s brothers could have Jacob’s chief affection… If the children of Israel could justContinue reading “Love Thoughts”

God knew we’d want to stop.

Paul ends this letter to the church at Colosse by calling out fellow brothers, beloved friends, fellow servants of God who labor for each other and the cause of Christ and who are “a great comfort” to Paul. He says this just before he closes with the words, “Take heed to the ministry you haveContinue reading “God knew we’d want to stop.”

Your faith is not an entirely private matter…

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you might answer each one. (Col 4:5-6) When Paul penned this letter, Christians living in a Roman controlled world were thought to be many things. Many thought them toContinue reading “Your faith is not an entirely private matter…”

Let’s ask God to help us notice this…

Though he was in chains, Paul asked that others would pray for open doors to preach the gospel clearly. “Praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest as IContinue reading “Let’s ask God to help us notice this…”

This will help you.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being VIGILANT in it with THANKSGIVING (Col 4:2, emphasis mine). Being vigilant in prayer is tied to thanksgiving. I keep praying because I’m thankful for a God who answers prayers. A thankful heart inspires hope. Hope leads to prayer. And by thankful, I mean grateful. There’s such POWER in a gratefulContinue reading “This will help you.”