Tag Archives: hope in Jesus
Would now be an opportune time for the enemy to attack you?
Would now be an opportune time for the enemy to attack you? The Bible says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him(Jesus) until an opportune time”. (Luke 4:13) The forty days of temptation in the wilderness were over and Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, went teaching throughout theContinue reading “Would now be an opportune time for the enemy to attack you?”
Pray with me?
I woke up thinking about a conversation my brother, my son-in-law and I had about the great revival movements of God. We had resolved there is NOTHING that might keep God from doing it again. My brother then mentioned how the spark that started the greatest revivals in history had been that of LAY PEOPLEContinue reading “Pray with me?”
What about the criticism of the Revivals at Asbury and Lee and The Chosen?
I don’t know what’s happening with the revivals at Asbury and Lee Universities. These revivals have been going on for days. I know some are incredibly excited and some are criticizing. In the episodes I’ve seen of The Chosen (I’m not caught up) I’ve found the show to draw my heart closer to Jesus. SomeContinue reading “What about the criticism of the Revivals at Asbury and Lee and The Chosen?”
Did you notice this about Colossians?
I’ve had a tough time being ready to be at the end of this study in Colossians. It is such a joy to study the Word with you, friends. And speaking of friends, have you noticed that Paul devoted so much of this short letter (most of the last of only four chapters) talking aboutContinue reading “Did you notice this about Colossians?”
Pop Tarts and the Bible
I have been getting up early and getting in the Word for years. I do it because it helps me. I started sharing what I found as I read because I thought it might help others too. I so appreciate those of you who study with me. And I certainly don’t read to check offContinue reading “Pop Tarts and the Bible”
Looking for the blessings. Power in gratitude.
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 “Looking for the blessings. Power in gratitude.”
A couple thoughts on parenting…
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Col 3:20) The Enduring Word commentary says, “Paul has in mind children who are still in their parents’ household and under their authority. For these, they must not only honor their father and mother (as in Ephesians 6:2), but theyContinue reading “A couple thoughts on parenting…”
Are you grieving the better days of this country?
This morning, I’m thinking back to words my sister-in-law said to me as we prepared for a baby shower. They are increasingly true. Before all the guests arrived, Shauna, who is a prayer warrior and dear friend to me, talked about all that is going on in our world. She said something that struck meContinue reading “Are you grieving the better days of this country?”
Because marriage is so good and so hard—
I’ve been posting about marriage the past couple of days. Wives submitting. Husbands loving. There’s been some emotion, and some strong opinions, to say the least. Because marriage is so GOOD and also so HARD, I’m sharing what God laid on my heart a while back— There absolutely will be the days your eyes meetContinue reading “Because marriage is so good and so hard—”
So, how well is your husband measuring up?
Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. (Col 3:19) And the Greek word Paul used for LOVE here is a really big deal— “Agapao does not denote affection or romantic attachment; it rather denotes caring love, a deliberate attitude of mind that concerns itself with the well-being of the one loved.”Continue reading “So, how well is your husband measuring up?”
What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!
Wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18). Okay, let’s just skip that verse, because I know from just mentioning “submission”yesterday that I’m opening a big ole can of worms! I’m tempted to just move on, but I know my heart needs ALL the Word—not just the easy-to-do, feel-goodContinue reading “What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!”
You aren’t the only one struggling…
It’s far from easy.It’s stinking hard. It’s a hard and holy thing to die to self.And you aren’t the only one struggling with it. For many, who walk with Jesus, it’s a slow thing as we learn little by little, year after year, to die to things that don’t really matter and hold on toContinue reading “You aren’t the only one struggling…”
Don’t get overly confident in your own pretty goodness.
Do not share in other people’s sins and keep yourself pure (1 Tim 5:20) The Apostle Paul knew there could be no peace, and no healthy church, where sin was allowed to go unchecked. As we look around us, and even inside our churches, we see sin going unchecked. Paul had seen this too.Especially inContinue reading “Don’t get overly confident in your own pretty goodness.”
Be careful in who you allow to lead and who you follow.
I sat with some young adults last night who talked of several who were leading worship and small groups who were living very ungodly lives on the other days. I listened as they said, rarely, have they themselves, been asked what they believe before they been asked to lead in church. This morning, I wasContinue reading “Be careful in who you allow to lead and who you follow.”
Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.
Temporary problems can get us all down. But we need to have our theology straight in order to not get consumed by them. There have always been those who want to take away from the Bible and those who want to add to it. When Paul wrote his letter, many of the Christians in ColosseContinue reading “Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.”
For Those in the Battle
But each of them will tell you their strength is not their own. Human love would have walked away long ago. Jesus is the source of their strength and their love. Daily they run to and place their hope in the One True King who will right all the wrongs, heal all the wounds andContinue reading “For Those in the Battle”
Let’s read Colossians!
The Apostle Paul sat in a prison, praying always for a church he’d not planted nor ever visited. He picks up his pen and writes one of the most famous letters ever composed to a church in the small declining town of Colosse. But this letter, to this church, is now forever part of ourContinue reading “Let’s read Colossians!”
Thinking of exercising?
About this time every year, I start thinking about diet and exercise. Anybody else? But you know, the Bible says strenuous spiritual exercise is better than physical exercise. And if ever, we need to be spiritually strong, it’s now, in these crazy times we are living. Paul says to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (4:7). TheContinue reading “Thinking of exercising?”
If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…
Strong godly character that brings blessing to both the individual, and the community at large, comes from applying God’s Word to our lives in a way that behavior is impacted. And here’s something to note – in a world where feelings are emphasized over truth, godly characteristics come from the discipline of applying biblical truthContinue reading “If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…”