Tag Archives: peace

How can we tell if someone loves God?

So how can we tell if someone truly loves God? John tells us they will love others and keep God’s commands. (1 John 4:20-5:3) And, he tells us, the keeping of God’s commandments won’t seem burdensome (5:3). We will have a holy “want-to”. And Jesus told us, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (RecordedContinue reading “How can we tell if someone loves God?”

When you don’t have the perfect picture

We are a people desperate to be reminded of the hope we have. Our flesh forgets. Our souls become downcast. Our eyes forget to look beyond the here and now. We struggle to remember God can make a way when our limited imaginations can’t fathom any possible way. And we, who possess eternal hope, spiralContinue reading “When you don’t have the perfect picture”

The world is hard. The Bible is God-breathed to help us.

Even when Jesus walked the earth, there were those who pretended to be righteous. They wanted to deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor. They wanted to catch Him in something so the government could contain, control, and ultimately condemn Him. But He perceived their craftiness (Luke 20:23). And so should we!Continue reading “The world is hard. The Bible is God-breathed to help us.”

A Strange Peace. Keep loving them…

Entering Jerusalem, the Savior wept. Not for the Cross He would face, but for the people. I wonder if tears filled His eyes as He heard the laughter of children playing, laughter that soon would be silenced as Jerusalem would be laid siege. The people who had rejected Him would face judgment. Judgment would comeContinue reading “A Strange Peace. Keep loving them…”

THIS always causes me to take notice…

Have you seen it? I sure have. Joy that makes ABSOLUTELY no earthly sense. It’s a high and holy thing.It’s supernatural.It always causes me to take notice…. As they travel toward the Promised Land, Sarah dies. (Genesis 23) Abraham purchases land to bury his wife (the only land he will actually end up owning). AndContinue reading “THIS always causes me to take notice…”

Go ahead and lay that down…

Does your brain ever get stuck on something, or is that just me? After reading Genesis 22, I’d like to just move on and stop thinking about God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, to surrender all, to hold nothing back. But I keep thinking about it. To be honest, I’d like for God toContinue reading “Go ahead and lay that down…”

Male or Female. We all know.

In light of recent events, let me say this again, we need to see this gender identity issue as what it truly is—that which God created shaking its fist at the Creator! “So God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” (Gen 1:27)Continue reading “Male or Female. We all know.”

Fear’s great lie is that God isn’t really enough.

Fear is a liar. But what is fear’s great lie? —That God really won’t be enough for me. But God says, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. (Isa 41:10)Continue reading “Fear’s great lie is that God isn’t really enough.”

Saturday morning PRAYERS and PEACE

I’ve had awful headaches for days. I’ve been told by friends this is common for a long time after CoVid. (I had it about 4 weeks ago) But as I lay in bed the other night, I thought, “What if I’m dying?” And then Scripture came to my mind, “It’s appointed once a man toContinue reading “Saturday morning PRAYERS and PEACE”

Contentment

Great gain.We want that.We all want that. Paul said, “ Now godliness with contentment is great gain”. (I Tim 6:6) How true. Godliness with contentment. “So, I’ll follow God and be content with where He leads and what He gives.” But, that’s easier said than done for our flesh-filled, wandering hearts who are constantly chasingContinue reading “Contentment”

I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?

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 “I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?”

In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…

This Thanksgiving week, as I have counted my blessings, I’ve found myself counting something as a blessing I didn’t think I ever would. A couple of years ago, our family faced what felt like a true enemy in another flesh and blood person. It all seemed to begin right after we shared our faith withContinue reading “In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…”

We can’t control what comes our way, but we can still have PEACE!

As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, there they are, the words that drew me here in the first place, the words my heart holds dear— “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11) “And my God shall supply all your need accordingContinue reading “We can’t control what comes our way, but we can still have PEACE!”

When God Doesn’t Seem Fair

When God Doesn’t Seem FairFrom Two Moms’ Hearts Five years ago. The surgery waiting room was packed with family and close-as-family special friends. We had been told the day before my tall, dark, and handsome twenty-three-year-old son’s mass was cancer. This second surgery would reveal if the cancer had spread to Will’s lymph nodes. (ItContinue reading “When God Doesn’t Seem Fair”

There is a PEACE that eludes so many who say they believe in God…

You can recognize it, you can agree with it, you can talk about it all day long; but if you fail to practice truth and follow the ways of God…. you will never have peace! Paul, is in essence, saying, “Don’t just observe the Christian life, LIVE IT! Live it, like I’ve lived it! That’sContinue reading “There is a PEACE that eludes so many who say they believe in God…”

THIS is the way we fight our battles and walk in peace.

Slow down, friend. Take note of this. This is some help-you stuff. The Apostle Paul doesn’t just say take a passing glance at good things, he says MEDITATE on them. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things areContinue reading “THIS is the way we fight our battles and walk in peace.”

“Be anxious about nothing.” Really, nothing?

Does nothing mean nothing? Cause I got some somethings that don’t feel like nothings! But there it is, “Be anxious for nothing.” (Psalm 4:6) And wouldn’t you know I’d come to this verse in my study of Philippians when I’m awake at 4am anxious over something?! Do I really have to live everything I writeContinue reading ““Be anxious about nothing.” Really, nothing?”

How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?

The Apostle Paul has just written those famous words, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) He goes to say, he wasn’t sure which he would choose. He knew being with Christ would be far better, but he also knew serving out his purpose on earth, shepherding the flock, would reapContinue reading “How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?”