Jesus saw it happen. Jesus warned us it would happen even to those who call themselves Christ followers. (Matt 23) All their works they do to be seen by others (Matt 23:5) They love the best places at the feasts, the best seats, and the big greetings and the big titles. (Matt 23: 6-7). They’veContinue reading “The addictive need for praise and control.”
Tag Archives: Christ alone
What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.
It’s World Prematurity Day…seems the perfect time to share again what God can do in and through a little life, from my favorite preemie, my son Ben, he was just 2 lbs 12 ounces in the photo below—- We have so many choices and so many people telling us who to be or how toContinue reading “What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.”
More than you imagined faith…
There seems to be an intimacy with God that can only be understood through the lens of trials and pain. It’s one thing to read about God’s faithfulness, but entirely another to walk with Him daily and see Him faithfully carry you through things you never imagined you’d ever get through. It’s one thing toContinue reading “More than you imagined faith…”
When the tears won’t dry this side of Heaven…
It’s a passage that has always seemed so sad to me – John 6:41-71. Jesus has just said some hard things about what following Him really looks like and “from that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” (John 6:66). Surely, as John wrote those words, the faces ofContinue reading “When the tears won’t dry this side of Heaven…”
Peace when I’m overwhelmed…
When my heart is overwhelmed, when I long for peace, joy and hope, I know I can no longer look to this world. I have been led to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:2) I’ve tasted and seen that He alone is good. I have been blessed to take refuge in Him.Continue reading “Peace when I’m overwhelmed…”
I want to be on the other side…
I want to be on the other side. You know the other side of the current problem impacting my life. I want to feel the rejoicing that comes AFTER the pain and worry have subsided. I know what that is like.I’ve seen God be faithful before. But right now.I’m in the “not yet”. I’m inContinue reading “I want to be on the other side…”
The Devil doesn’t care if you are happy or sad….
Jesus said you are with me or against me (Matt 12:30). There is no neutral. You either see the world and life from a biblical worldview or from a satanic worldview. Either there is One True God and One source of absolute truth that exists outside of you; or you operate by a satanic worldviewContinue reading “The Devil doesn’t care if you are happy or sad….”
Do you worship a false god?
Daniel supernaturally described Nebuchadnezzar‘s dream down to the toes of the image Nebuchadnezzar had seen, and then Daniel interprets all that the dream meant. He tells Nebuchadnezzar that the dream and its meaning had been revealed to him by God. (Daniel 2:27-49) Nebuchadnezzar is amazed. He falls prostrate before his slave, Daniel, and says, “TrulyContinue reading “Do you worship a false god?”
When it doesn’t go as you expect
I snapped a picture as my daughter and I drove near Asheville a few years ago. I was traveling to speak nearby, and I wanted to show her where our family had lived when she and her brothers were little. How we had loved living there. As those glorious mountains spread out before us, treesContinue reading “When it doesn’t go as you expect”
My wanders too much to do anything else-
I can’t turn on the TV, pick up my phone or hit the gym. I wake up early to avoid even those I love. My wandering heart wanders too much to do anything else before I pick up my Bible. It is not that I’m trying harder to be a better Christian or check offContinue reading “My wanders too much to do anything else-“
Ridiculous Grace AND Hard Truth
He came for the messed up sinner. I think a lot about that as Easter approaches in just a couple of weeks. We love that He ran after the prodigal, ate with the tax collectors, and stepped in to prevent the stoning of the woman caught in adultery. We love that He left the 99Continue reading “Ridiculous Grace AND Hard Truth”
Don’t be taken down by a desire to be lifted up!
I love how the Bible sugarcoats everything and only tells the simple, pretty stories. Except it doesn’t. The Bible is real. God shows us the proclivity of humans to see Him do amazing things and then turn right around and blow it. After Lot and his two daughters had been supernaturally rescued from Sodom andContinue reading “Don’t be taken down by a desire to be lifted up!”
Where else would I go?
This is hard stuff. Are you ready for some hard stuff? I’ve been paused on this verse for several days. I’ve been wrestling. I’ve been reading commentaries and thinking about all I’ve seen God do and know Him to be. Still, I can’t fully wrap my mind around these words God had the beloved disciple,Continue reading “Where else would I go?”
Love me anyway?
I have known and believed God loves me and THAT keeps me going. THAT changes how I live. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16) The Enduring Word commentary says,Continue reading “Love me anyway?”
Mad at God and believing Satan’s lies
Whatever we ask, we receive! That’s sounds a lot like a genie in a bottle kind of prosperity God—not the Most High Holy of Holies. So what does John mean when he writes, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in HisContinue reading “Mad at God and believing Satan’s lies”
Not just some of me. All of me.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! (Psalm 103:1-2) Oh my soul.Bless HIS Holy Name with ALL that is within me. Not just some of me.All of me. But all of me is prone toContinue reading “Not just some of me. All of me.”
The way to lose your way…
“Do not love the world or things in the world.” 1 John 2:15 Love God, but don’t love the world and the things in the world. Oh, we would not do that, would we? Let’s be honest. We all have flesh-filled hearts that are drawn to every shiny thing it seems. Prone to wander…Lord, IContinue reading “The way to lose your way…”
Do I ❤️ this more than God?
If I’m trying to please men, I can’t walk worthy of the God who calls me. (Read Thessalonians 2:4-12) Just as it is for the lost, the praise of men is addictive to Christians. It can come in many forms, and like any other drug, it takes more and more to satisfy. Except, it won’tContinue reading “Do I ❤️ this more than God?”
Jesus was enough. He is enough. He will be enough.
Jesus was enough on the day we were saved, and He will be enough every day we ever live. The Apostle Paul, who walked in such victory, through the hardest of circumstances with real JOY, says, in Christ “dwells all fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the headContinue reading “Jesus was enough. He is enough. He will be enough.”
Do you need some confidence to face this New Year?
Do you need some confidence to face this New Year? Then focus on your sin for a moment. Here’s why… If we don’t understand the depths of our sin, we won’t understand the great love of our Savior enough to be able to confidently trust Him with our tomorrows. Let me explain… Luke tells us,Continue reading “Do you need some confidence to face this New Year?”