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.”
Tag Archives: hope in Jesus
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…”
So very thirsty…for hope.
There seems to be profound pain in people all around us and in our own lives too. Rarely is anything I write shared more than those posts dealing with struggles and pain. We are a people walking in a world full of trouble —so very thirsty for hope. No one is immune.Christians are not immune.Continue reading “So very thirsty…for hope.”
God is doing what He promised.
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) No seriously, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible. Will our country ever come together in unity? Will we stop celebrating what God calls sin? You know theContinue reading “God is doing what He promised.”
Have you felt like a broken Christian? Have you questioned God’s goodness?
Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, to question. But, I know, for most Christians, thereContinue reading “Have you felt like a broken Christian? Have you questioned God’s goodness?”
God With Us. But, is He really?
Our hearts were made to long for God to be with us. Perhaps, that’s why even unbelievers find themselves drawn to the wonders of Christmas-time. But this world has a way of telling us all, that God is not with us. The evil one tries to convince us He doesn’t exist or just doesn’t care.Continue reading “God With Us. But, is He really?”
Moment by moment, through the pain…
I sit thinking of friend after friend.Story after story.Every one of them.Not one of them came another way. Those I know well, who love God so deeply, whose trust is rock-solid, who possess the sweetest peace and unshakable hope…they each have this in common—they came the way of suffering. I bet you know them too.Continue reading “Moment by moment, through the pain…”
What about you?
The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall from the ceiling as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to HimselfContinue reading “What about you?”
Don’t understand? Do you realize Christmas is a time to celebrate just such a thing?
So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “Don’t understand? Do you realize Christmas is a time to celebrate just such a thing?”
Christmas is so hard when you are grieving.
So many friends.So many women I’ve met when speaking. So many I’ve been connected to by mutual friends. So many are hurting. I know so many widows. I know others who have lost a parent, or a child, or a marriage. It’s heartbreaking. I’m watching some lose loved ones slowly who have dementia. Will youContinue reading “Christmas is so hard when you are grieving.”
She did mention she had only ever lost two bar fights…
She was a drug dealer. So, how could we have possibly imagined what happened? Everyone in her small town knew just how bad she had wrecked her life. She had even lost her kids. Many, probably thought her addictions too strong, and that she was a lost cause. TooFarGone But as she walked about town,Continue reading “She did mention she had only ever lost two bar fights…”
Are you hurting?
I’ve began to understand what King David meant when he said, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:5) IN THE PRESENCE. The battle was STILL raging, the suffering real, but David found a table full of God’s blessings right in the middle of the war zone! I watchedContinue reading “Are you hurting?”
But what about when God does things I don’t like or understand?
It’s Christmas-time! We all love reading of the miraculous virgin birth. We like the miracles and power of the Savior. We think it’s so cool that the King of Kings hung out with sinners and find it heart-warming that the He wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. We love that the little childrenContinue reading “But what about when God does things I don’t like or understand?”
So very thankful…but one day!
Oh that moment, I walk in the door at my parents’ home. Turkey cooking. Dressing baking. The aroma of delicious anticipation floating through the house. I want it to last forever. There’s something so wonderful about slowing down and savoring our blessings. Though our earthly blessings are fleeting, there are hints of heaven in everyContinue reading “So very thankful…but one day!”
Do you love someone walking a hard road?
Are you watching someone you love walk a hard road? Last night, my husband and I joined many other volunteers to collect 1153 Tiny Trees to be disbursed to kids staying at our local Children’s Hospital. Our community dropped off so many trees that our local Meals on Wheels and nursing homes will receive someContinue reading “Do you love someone walking a hard road?”